EPDM

Thermoset Roofing Membrane

Also known as Thermoset Roofing Membrane, a EPDM roofing system offers long-lasting durability and versatility, paired with a simple installation and ease of maintenance/repair when compared to most other commercial roof types. EPDM boasts a strong resistance to ultraviolet light and ozone, and is constructed from a single-ply rubber material.

EPDM roofing benefits

Other benefits include great flexibility in colder temperatures; resistance to some acids, solvents, and alcohol; and reflective properties that help lower cooling costs.

Single-ply roofing membranes fall into two classes — thermoset membranes, such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and Hypalon, and thermoplastic membranes, such as thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

TPO and PVC are smooth, chemically resistant and water-resistant, and neither is easy to coat. For PVC membranes, high levels of liquid plasticizer seem to present a bigger challenge than their slick surfaces. The chemical resistance of these polymers also inhibits the development of suitable primers, and these systems do require special primers for coating. This is not a common application and is an area of ongoing research.

It’s important to note that TPO and PVC membranes are easy to misidentify in the field. Because they require different primers and coatings, examining a test patch is a prudent precaution before coating an unidentified white membrane.

EPDM systems use carbon black to block UV radiation and are made from an inert material similar to tire rubber. Attempts to factory-coat EPDM have not succeeded, but managers have much to gain from coating an EPDM roof system with a white coating.

Cool Roofs

The concerns of climate change and global warming became more pressing than ever in 2020, making cool roofs a popular response to these environmental issues for 2021. Cool roofs are made with energy-reflecting and -absorbing materials to reflect or absorb heat according to the size of the wavelengths coming from the electromagnetic energy emitted by the sun.

Because cool roofs can reflect the sun’s visible, ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths, they can help reduce the overall heat transfer to the building, which keeps the inside of the building cooler. This ability to reflect radiant heat means a cool roof can significantly improve a home’s energy efficiency to reduce power bills as well as the everyday wear and tear on an HVAC system. By lowering energy use, cool roofs can also help limit air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

The reflective coatings that enable cool roofs to reflect radiant heat can be applied to a range of roofing materials, which means you can install a cool roof that matches your exact style, design and color preferences. However, cool roofs are typically made with lighter colors because a lighter roof will reflect more electromagnetic energy.