Deck preparation
Old roofing is removed and the deck is repaired so the roof sits on solid wood.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Installation Weehawken, NJ
A roofer in Weehawken can install a rubber roof by laying EPDM membrane in wide sheets over insulation and a cover board, bonding or fastening it down and sealing every seam with primer and tape, and explain each choice before the sheet is rolled out. One call to (551) 373-3025 reaches a nearby rubber roof installer.
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.
Attachment method shapes the rest of the installation. 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.
Two more decisions round out the plan. A 60 mil sheet is tougher than 45 mil for roofs that see foot traffic. Black is standard and holds heat, while white reflects it. The installer also plans how the membrane laps under shingles above it and up the wall beside it, where leaks tend to start.
Rubber Roof Installation is often paired with rubber roof repair and flat roof installation, depending on the cause.
Dealing with this in Weehawken, NJ right now? Call (551) 373-3025 to reach a nearby roofing contractor.
Call nowThe process
The rubber roof installation process
Here is how a roofer typically installs an EPDM roof.
Deck prep
Damaged decking is replaced and drainage is confirmed before any insulation goes down. Old roofing is removed if the roof is being replaced.
Insulation
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 membrane is unrolled, aligned and allowed to settle before bonding. Seam layout follows the direction of drainage.
Bond the membrane
Half the sheet is folded back, adhesive is applied to both surfaces and the rubber is pressed into place. Then the other half is done the same way. Brooming from the middle outward pushes trapped air to the edges.
Tape the laps
Primer and seam tape join the sheets, with T-joints covered by extra patches. Tape edges are finished with lap sealant.
Finish the edges
Walls and curbs get membrane flashing held by termination bar, pipes get pre-molded boots and corners get uncured flashing. Counter flashing covers the top of wall flashing. Before the crew leaves, seams are probed for any loose spots.
What is included
What goes into a rubber roof
Flashing
Termination bar, pipe boots and edge metal are installed to keep water out.
Rubber sheet
The rubber membrane is adhered or fastened with as few seams as possible.
Insulation
Insulation adds energy savings and slope for a smooth surface.
Seam tape
Laps are joined with seam tape for a lasting bond.
Related service
EPDM Roof Installation Weehawken, NJ
The quality of an EPDM installation shows up years later in the seams and edges. Rushing the adhesive, skipping primer or leaving wrinkles under the sheet are the common mistakes. Weather matters too, since adhesives and primers need dry conditions. The field and the flashings may get different adhesives, since vertical surfaces need a stronger grip.
In Weehawken, an experienced EPDM installer leaves room for the membrane to move and age. Securing the membrane at the edges and flashing corners correctly prevents later tears. Ask about edge securement before work starts.
Local help
Rubber Roof Installation Near Me
Around Weehawken, homeowners often choose EPDM for flat roof sections because it is durable and easy to repair. From Weehawken to neighboring communities such as Union City, West New York, Hoboken and Secaucus, rubber roofs that drain properly and have well sealed flashing last the longest, which is why the seams and flashing deserve careful attention.
Searching for rubber roof installation near me from Weehawken or Union City, West New York, Hoboken and Secaucus? Call (551) 373-3025 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
How the weather here affects roofs around Weehawken
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. That is why roof repair in Weehawken is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why not wait
Smaller repairs
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Roofers who know Weehawken
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Weehawken and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Common questions about rubber roof installation
Can a rubber roof go over an existing roof?
EPDM can sometimes go over an existing roof. There should be only one existing layer, the insulation must be dry and a cover board or recover board goes between the old roof and the rubber. Otherwise, a tear-off is needed. The roofer tests the old roof for moisture before recommending a recover.
Should my rubber roof be black or white?
Color affects heat gain. Black EPDM absorbs heat, which can help in cold climates, while white EPDM reflects sunlight and keeps the rooms below cooler. A roofer can recommend what fits your home.
What is the difference between EPDM and 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. Each suits different roofs.
Which EPDM thickness should I choose?
Most residential EPDM is 45 or 60 mil. Thicker 60 mil is tougher and longer lasting. Heavy duty options exist too.
How long does a new rubber roof last?
Rubber roofs often last decades. Regular inspections help it reach its full life. Patching EPDM is straightforward.
More questions? Call (551) 373-3025
Other services that may help
Rubber Roof Repair
EPDM rubber roof repairs done with primer, cover tape and lap sealant made for rubber, after the real leak point is found.
Learn moreFlat Roof Installation
Installing TPO, PVC, EPDM or modified bitumen roofs on additions, garages, porches and flat-roof homes, planned around how the roof will be used.
Learn moreTPO Roofing
Heat-welded TPO membrane for flat and low-slope roofs, sized to the deck, the drains and the way the roof is used.
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 Weehawken roofer about rubber roof installation
Call (551) 373-3025 to talk to a roofer serving Weehawken, NJ.