Tear-off
Decking is inspected and replaced where needed so the roof sits on solid wood.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Installation Harrison, NJ
Installing a rubber roof in Harrison means choosing the EPDM thickness and attachment method, then flashing walls, curbs and edges so the membrane can move without tearing, with as few seams as possible. Call (551) 348-3304 to reach a local roofer.
A true rubber roof is EPDM, a synthetic rubber membrane used on flat and low slope roofs for decades. EPDM is sold in wide rolls, typically 45 or 60 mil thick, and it stretches and recovers as the roof moves through hot and cold seasons. Unlike TPO and PVC, its seams are taped rather than heat welded.
The first decision is how the membrane is held down. Adhered, fastened and ballasted systems each suit different buildings and wind conditions. On most homes, fully adhered EPDM is the usual choice because it handles wind well and stays smooth.
Then comes thickness and color. Thicker 60 mil membrane stands up better to foot traffic and hail. White EPDM suits sunny roofs, and black suits cooler climates. Where the rubber meets a shingled roof or the house wall, the tie-in detail matters as much as any of these choices.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Harrison roofer may also recommend rubber roof repair or flat roof installation.
Looking for Harrison rubber roof installation? Call (551) 348-3304 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Harrison.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a rubber roof installation
Here is how a roofer typically installs an EPDM roof.
Check the base
The deck is repaired and checked for slope, ideally a quarter inch per foot toward drains or gutters. A tear-off comes first on existing roofs.
Add the cover board
Rigid insulation, often polyiso, is fastened with plates and screws, then a cover board goes on top. Slope can be built in at this stage.
Sheet layout
The EPDM is unrolled, positioned and left to relax so wrinkles flatten before any adhesive goes on. Laps are arranged so water flows over them.
Apply adhesive
Contact adhesive goes on the board and the membrane, and once it is tacky, the sheet is laid down and brushed. The process repeats for the second half. Air pockets left under the sheet can turn into blisters later, so the crew works the rubber flat from the center out.
Seal the seams
Laps are primed and joined with seam tape, then rolled to remove air. Lap sealant goes along exposed tape edges.
Flashing
Flashing goes up walls and around curbs, with boots at pipes and new edge metal at the perimeter. The top edge is sealed and covered. A final walk checks every seam with a probe before the job is closed out.
What is included
What goes into a rubber roof
Seams
Seams are primed, taped and rolled for a lasting bond.
EPDM membrane
Wide sheets of EPDM cover the roof in black or white.
Insulation
A cover board protects the insulation and gives the adhesive a firm grip.
Edge metal
Walls, curbs, pipes and edges are flashed for a finished roof.
Related service
EPDM Roof Installation Harrison, NJ
Installing EPDM well comes down to preparation, seams and flashing. Rushing the adhesive, skipping primer or leaving wrinkles under the sheet are the common mistakes. Installers work in dry weather so the bond holds. The field and the flashings may get different adhesives, since vertical surfaces need a stronger grip.
In Harrison, an experienced EPDM installer leaves room for the membrane to move and age. Flashing at walls and curbs is secured with termination bar so the sheet cannot pull loose as it ages, and corners get flexible uncured flashing. Ask how the roofer secures the perimeter.
Local help
Rubber Roof Installation Near Me
Rubber roofs in Harrison are common on porches, garages, additions and flat sections of older homes. Across Harrison and nearby towns like Newark, Kearny, North Arlington and East Orange, EPDM handles storms, sun and cold well when it is installed with good seams and drainage, which is why the seams and flashing deserve careful attention.
Need rubber roof installation around Harrison? Call (551) 348-3304 for a Harrison roofer who serves the towns around it too.
Roofs in this climate
Winters here are long and cold, with snow on the roof for weeks at a time and plenty of nights below freezing. When warm attic air melts the snow, the meltwater runs down and freezes again at the eaves, which is how ice dams form and back water up under the shingles. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. Most homeowners in Harrison, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why fix it now
Smaller repairs
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Roofers who know Harrison
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Harrison and nearby towns.
Clear next steps
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Common questions about rubber roof installation
How long does a new rubber roof last?
EPDM can last 25 years or longer. Thickness, seam quality and maintenance all affect its life. Patching EPDM is straightforward.
How thick should a rubber roof be?
The common choices are 45 mil and 60 mil. Sixty mil resists punctures better and lasts longer, which helps on roofs with foot traffic or hail. Thicker 90 mil membrane exists for heavy use.
Is a rubber roof the same as TPO?
The two are different materials. EPDM is usually black, very flexible and seamed with tape, while TPO is usually white, more reflective and heat welded at the seams. A roofer can help you choose.
Is it possible to install EPDM over the old roof?
A recover is possible only under certain conditions. The old roof must be a single dry layer, with a recover board over it. Wet insulation or multiple layers mean a tear-off. The roofer tests the old roof for moisture before recommending a recover.
What color EPDM is best?
The choice depends on the climate and the space below. Black holds heat and white reflects it. Ask about both options.
More questions? Call (551) 348-3304
Related services
Rubber Roof Repair
Fixing open seams, punctures, shrinkage and split flashing on EPDM rubber roofs, so the membrane seals again without a tear-off.
Learn moreFlat Roof Installation
Flat roof installation from the deck and tapered insulation up to the seams, flashing and edge metal, with every wall, curb and penetration flashed properly.
Learn moreTPO Roofing
Heat-welded TPO membrane for flat and low-slope roofs, built around proper drainage, flashing and edge metal.
Learn moreFlat Roof Replacement
Full replacement of failing flat roofs, with a moisture survey deciding tear-off or recover, so ponding and repeat leaks end for good.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesTalk to a Harrison roofer about rubber roof installation
Call now for Harrison rubber roof installation and help in the towns around it.