Choosing the Right Type of EPDM Rubber Roofing

EPDM rubber roofing is fast becoming one of the most popular flat roof coverings in the industry. This is largely due to its so-far unmatched life expectancy of more than 50-years and high performance over this period.

Permaroof UK stock two types of EPDM rubber roofing membrane – Firestone RubberCover and SealEco Rubbertop Fleece. As strong advocates of EPDM for over 20-years, we know that these revolutionary single-ply roofing membranes are the sustainable flat roofing materials the industry has been looking for.

Choosing the right type of EPDM rubber membrane depends on the type of roofing project you are planning. Whether you’re a trade roofer working on a commercial roof or a DIYer tackling a domestic green roofing project, we can get involved from the very start and help you find the right rubber roofing system to suit your needs.

About Firestone RubberCover EPDM

Firestone RubberCover EPDM membrane is ideal for a wide range of projects and perfect for a DIY install onto a timber roof deck, for instance. Available in two grades – standard 1.14mm and premium grade 1.52mm – Firestone EPDM is a lightweight, yet strong and long-lasting, high-performance waterproofing solution.

With a life expectancy of 50-years, Firestone RubberCover offers a cost-effective approach over the long-term, particularly when compared to more traditional flat roofing materials, such as felt or asphalt. These outdated coverings degrade quickly by comparison and will need to be stripped back and replaced more than once over the lifespan of EPDM.

Permaroof include Firestone EPDM membranes in all our flat roof kits, which is currently one of our best-selling ranges for the DIY market. Applied using water-based deck and bonding adhesives, the Firestone EPDM membrane is fast and easy to install.

SealEco Rubbertop Fleece EPDM Membrane

Our SealEco EPDM range is a thicker membrane at 2.3mm with a fleece backing. It is installed in panels in two widths – 1.78m and 3.4m – and is available from Permaroof by the metre, or by the roll up to 60m in length.

Suitable for domestic, commercial and industrial projects, SealEco Rubbertop Fleece EPDM is a high-performance system that can be applied to a range of surfaces with the use of primer and either hand- or spray-applied bonding adhesives.

SealEco Rubbertop EPDM has a high puncture resistance due to the fleece backing and thickness of the membrane. This can make this type of membrane perfect for a green roofing system, where several subsequent layers rely heavily on the base waterproofing layer over the lifespan of the project.

Comparing EPDM for DIY

Many homeowners are confident in handling some types of roofing, such as replacing shed roofs, garage roofing or waterproofing a garden office project. Firestone’s RubberCover EPDM is commonly available in a single sheet for most average domestic roofing projects. This is one of the biggest reasons it is popular in the DIY market, as joins can be some of the most vulnerable points on any flat roof covering.

By comparison, the SealEco system typically requires joining to complete a flat roof installation. Tape is used to seal the joins and the edges of the membrane are unfleeced to allow for easy taping. Although suitable for DIY, some however, prefer to have these types of systems installed professionally to ensure the best chance of a successful, long-lasting and high performing flat roof.

Talk to Permaroof about your EPDM rubber roofing project

Permaroof UK Ltd stocks one of the largest ranges of flat roofing products in the country for both trade and DIY projects. Our award-winning sales and customer support teams are uniquely-qualified and knowledgeable and are on hand if you need help planning your projects – large or small.

We also provide one of the largest roofing resource libraries, free-to-use with no sign-ups. You will find EPDM installation guides, technical and safety information, white papers and useful articles with roofing tips to help you plan your projects from start to finish. Visit the Permaroof video library too and watch a range of tutorials and step-by-step application guides.

Talk to us today on 01773 608 839 and let us help you choose the right type of EPDM rubber roofing for your projects.

PermaGroup has established links with some of the biggest names in our industry thanks to our reputation of excellence. Read more about becoming a supplier or stockist here.