Rubber Roofing

PermaRoof UK can help you with your rubber roofing project, regardless of size. We stock genuine, branded Elevate RubberCover EPDM and SealEco fleece-backed rubber roofing, both high performance systems for a wide range of applications. Custom-cut membranes, full rolls and complete rubber roof kits available in a variety of sizes for DIY and trade.

For 25 years, we’ve worked with some of the biggest names in the industry to bring quality, longevity and reliability to your project. We supply everything you need and offer same day order turnaround and fast UK-wide delivery:

• Full rubber roof systems
• EPDM outlets and accessories
• Skylights and rooflights
• Liquid waterproofing
• PIR insulation
• Flat roof trim
• Tools and installation essentials

Choosing rubber roofing membrane over traditional materials gives homeowners greater flexibility and a longer term solution to waterproofing and overall performance. Today’s membranes offer to bring reliability back to flat roofing and open up the possibilities for DIY.

With a wide range of benefits, EPDM rubber is fast becoming the go-to roofing material of choice for domestic waterproofing. In this buyers guide to rubber roofing, we’ll talk you through your options and give you the resources, info and tools you need to get started.

Fast and easy to install

• Rubber roofing membranes such as RubberCover EPDM are typically fitted in a single sheet, eliminating the need for joins in the membrane. This is typically where other systems fail and seams have always been notoriously vulnerable parts of flat roof installs. Elevate RubberCover can be cut to any size up to 15m x 60m and the system is cold-adhesive applied. Whether tackling the projects yourself or engaging a professional installer, modern rubber roofing can simplify and accelerate the waterproofing stage.

Exceptional service life expectancy

• EPDM rubber roofing has a service life expectancy of over 50 years. This has been proven in field testing since the 1970s in mostly commercial settings all over the world. A game-changer in environmental terms for the domestic sector, rubber roofing now offers a sustainable, reliable approach to long-term home renovation plans.

Lightweight and durable

• Weighing an average of just 1.4kg per m2 (1.14mm standard thickness), RubberCover roofing membrane is easier to handle than other types of materials. It has been developed to remain durable during its service life and has high resistance to UV and Ozone. This contributes to a long lifespan and prevents EPDM from deteriorating like other membranes.

Low to no maintenance

• Rubber roofing systems are suitable for most domestic situations and can provide a low-to-no maintenance approach, ideal for garden buildings, sheds and garages, green roofs and home extension projects. Hard to damage and easy to repair, EPDM requires no maintenance other than a bi-annual visual inspection or following a storm to remove large debris.

As with all major home improvement projects, planning is an integral part of the process. We can help you to get your rubber roofing project started, with practical advice, product guidance and installation support, whether you’re doing it yourself or looking for a reliable contractor.

New Roofs

If you’re working on a brand new, flat and square timber roof deck, you’re pretty much ready to go. Make sure you have accurate measurements and you’ll find buying your rubber roofing system fast and easy, especially if you decide to go with a complete waterproofing kit.

Roof Refurbishment

When you are planning to refurbish or replace existing waterproofing, there will be assessment, further planning and some preparation to do before you begin installing a rubber roof. These are arguably the most important steps that contribute to the long-term success of the project and where costly mistakes can be made if overlooked.

The first step will be to ascertain the condition of the roof deck. It must be in good repair to fully realise the benefits of a rubber roofing system. This is because the membrane likely won’t adhere properly to the damaged areas and chances of the damage progressing beneath the membrane is high, especially if there is existing rot or water damage. If this happens, and the roof deck fails, the covering will need to be stripped off to make repairs.

EPDM rubber roofing has a service life expectancy of more than 50 years – it makes sense to ensure the integrity of the roof deck to fully realise the longevity of this high performance system.

How to check the integrity of the roof deck

Examine the roofing carefully for signs of damage and feel timber decks in areas where the existing waterproofing material shows signs of damage or wear. If the timber feels spongy to the touch or there are visible signs of damage, make sure any repairs are carried out before starting to replace the waterproofing. You may want to bring in a professional to look at it for you if you cannot be sure, after assessing the deck, whether it is in good enough condition to continue.

If you are considering change of use, major building remodelling or the incorporation of rooflights, it may be advisable to check in with local planning authorities. This is to make sure that all your boxes are ticked in terms of planning permission and local building standards or conservation area limitations.

A visit to the planning department can also be a good opportunity to find out more about sustainable practices, initiatives, incentives, grant eligibility and environmental standards. Many local authorities do offer practical support and guidance to homeowners and contractors wishing to pursue a sustainable approach to their projects.

Defining the project is where you’ll make all the practical decisions based on your research and wish list for the space you’re waterproofing. This is how you’ll begin to build your materials list and really get the project off the ground. You will need accurate measurements so that you can order your rubber roofing system.

Rubber roofing is available to purchase in a number of ways, all of which require accurate measurements. Whether you buy the membrane by the metre, by the roll or in a roofing kit, this is a crucial stage to get right. All other materials – adhesives, trim, sealant and the accessories you need will also be determined by these measurements (adhesive coverage is calculated in square meterage, for example).

You do not need to access the flat roof for measuring purposes if you have ground access to the outside of the building on one short and one long side of a standard project – such as a garage or other regular rectangular structure.

It is a good idea to make this a two-person stage, as a second person can hold tapes in place, double-check measurements and take notes. Use a long measuring tape to measure in one go and reduce the risk of mistakes. Take your time and measure at least twice – getting the second person to check before noting the measurements.

From ground-level and on the outside of the building, carefully measure the full length (longest side). It is important to measure the outer walls and not from the inside, where the wall depth is not considered. Repeat on the shorter side to get the width measurement.

These two measurements are all you need to move on to calculating the area in square meterage and ordering your flat roof materials. If you have details on the roof, such as extrusions (flue pipes, vents, drain outlets, skylights) adjoining walls or upstands, note these down to complete the project scope and size.

To calculate the area of the project in square metres, which is useful for adhesive coverage and kit building, simply multiply the length measurement in metres by the width measurement in metres and the resulting answer is your square meterage.

Example:

Length = 5 metres
Width = 4 metres

5 (length) x 4 (width) = 20 square metres

You can find our full guide to measuring your flat roof in the resource library.

With project scope detail completed and accurate measurements at the ready, you’re almost at the end of the planning stage. Building an accurate and comprehensive materials list is now key to smoothing the way for the installation stage. There are also a few basic tools you’ll need for preparation and installation of the system – you’ll find those below.

At PermaRoof UK, we can support you in building the materials list for your rubber roof in a number of ways:

Free rubber roof calculator – the PermaRoof Kit Builder app is a free tool, available to use online with no sign ups or obligation to buy materials. You can choose whether you’d like to print, save or get a quote for your materials list at the end. There are only four steps and it is fast and easy to use – give it a try here.

Expert advice – contact us and we will guide you through building the materials list using your measurements and project scope details. We can build kits to include installation accessories, drain outlets, rooflights and skylights.

Standard sized rubber roof kits – we provide a range of standard kits for sheds and garage roofing. These come complete with one-piece membrane, sufficient adhesive, sealant and roof trim where required (shed kits do not include trim). All you need is your accurate measurements.

Custom sized EPDM kits – buying a roof kit cuts down worrying about quantifying the materials list. For a custom kit, all you need to do is enter your own size in the boxes provided (length and width). We’ll do the rest and calculate the membrane, adhesive, edge and gutter trim, fixings and sealant required. We can custom build complete kits to include a single sheet of RubberCover EPDM from 8m2 up to 900m2 (15m x 60m).

A note about quantifying rubber roofing adhesive

Most rubber roofing adhesive coverage rates are estimated in square metres and this is what you use to calculate how much you’ll need. You will find the estimated coverage rates in the product descriptions online or on the tins if you’re shopping instore.

Example: Based on an average coverage rate of 4.5 square metres per litre (Elevate RubberCover bonding adhesive) and our project measurement of 20m2 in total. 20 (area of the flat roof in m2) ÷ 4.5 (coverage rate per litre) = 4.44 (litres needed)

EPDM rubber roofing typically requires very few tools to prepare the substrate and install the membrane. A full list of tools may look something like this in addition to your membrane and system components, depending on the scope and size of your project:

• If liquid adhesive is selected, small (4″) and medium (9″) good quality rollers will be needed
• Silicone and penny rollers for installing accessories and to fully adhere detailing
• Primer and pad (if installing accessories)
• Household broom
• Tape measure, straight edge and a chalk marker
• Edge and gutter trims complete a flat roof project – these are not typically needed for sheds and are not included in our shed roof kits.

Timber decks must be in good condition for rubber roofing to fully adhere and realise the long term performance and value of the system. For the best results, completely remove the old covering and clean the surface. Use a power washer or suitable degreaser to remove oil or grease spots and leave to dry thoroughly. Sweep the surface clear of dust using a soft to medium household broom.

Choose a dry day for installation with no rain forecast or expected. Check the kit list and make sure all materials and components are present and correct – it is better to find out before you start, rather than halfway through, if anything has been forgotten.

Lay out the membrane for approximately 30 minutes to allow any packing creases to dissipate. For a shed roof, lay the membrane over the roof in roughly the position you’ll be installing it. Ensure you have considered safety and have suitable clothing, ladders and tools ready.

One piece rubber roofing membrane is the easiest to install. There are no joins or seams, which are typically the most tricky parts of the install. This is one of the biggest benefits for DIY in the installation of RubberCover.

For shed roofing, work the project in two sections, first on one side of the roof, with the membrane folded back on itself, and then repeat on the other side. Shed roof kits can typically be installed in under half a day by a confident DIYer.

For larger projects, work in sections, folding back the membrane while the adhesive is applied. Spray the bonding adhesive over the working area evenly and allow to tack off. Fold the membrane over the adhesive and smooth over the surface with a soft broom to remove any air bubbles.

If accessories are needed, such as flashings for pipes, skylights or other extrusions, we provide a wide range of installation guides, downloads and video tutorials, covering every aspect.

Although straightforward to install, DIY rubber roofing is not for everyone. If you feel unsure at any point or before you begin, considering engaging a reliable professional to install it for you. Choosing a rubber roof can significantly reduce installation time and may cost less than you think to have it installed professionally.

The PermaRoof Resource library is packed with free information to help guide our trade and DIY customers through your projects. The video library contains step-by-step tutorials in all aspects of installation or download installation guides, technical and product information, safety data and much more in PDF format. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, give us a call and we’ll be glad to help.

Once you have completed the planning, built a comprehensive materials list or have measurements for a rubber roof kit, it’s time to get the project underway and buy your materials. We stock everything you need in our online store and offer fast, UK wide delivery to help keep your rubber roofing project on track. We work with some of the biggest names in the rubber roofing industry, providing genuine, high performance branded systems, complete with technical certifications and warranties.

The award-winning teams are on hand if you need assistance with your order, so please get in touch if we can help.