Empire Contractors installs and repairs EPDM roofing for commercial building owners in De Pere, WI. The company has been in business for 28+ years as a second-generation roofing company, and its inspection-first approach starts with the condition of the existing roof, substrate, insulation, drainage, and rooftop details before a system recommendation is made. If you own or manage a flat or low-slope building in De Pere, this guide explains what EPDM is, how it is installed and what to weigh before choosing it.
EPDM, short for ethylene propylene diene monomer, is a synthetic rubber single-ply membrane often called a rubber roof. It is one of the three common single-ply options alongside TPO and PVC. To discuss your De Pere building, call Empire Contractors at (231) 861-7221.
What Is an EPDM Rubber Roof?
An EPDM roof is part of a layered roof assembly that can include the structural deck, insulation, cover board or other substrate components, and the membrane. EPDM is available in large sheets, which can reduce the number of field seams compared with some layouts and roof geometries. The membrane is flexible, but performance still depends on system design, attachment, seam detailing, substrate conditions, drainage, and maintenance. Empire Contractors’ single-ply membrane page gives an overview of EPDM alongside TPO and PVC.
How EPDM Is Attached
The attachment method affects how the roof performs and how the installation is planned. The table below summarizes the three common approaches.
| Attachment method | How it works | What to weigh |
|---|---|---|
| Fully adhered | The membrane is bonded to the insulation or substrate with adhesive | Uses adhesive to bond the membrane to a prepared substrate; suitability depends on substrate, adhesive requirements, weather, roof design, and project conditions. |
| Mechanically attached | Fasteners and plates secure the membrane to the deck through the seams or field | Uses fasteners and plates according to the roof design; fastener pattern, deck type, perimeter zones, and wind requirements are important. |
| Ballasted | Stone or pavers hold the membrane in place by weight | Uses ballast to hold the membrane in place; structural capacity, edge restraint, drainage, access, and the specific system design must support this approach. |
Which method fits depends on the building structure, deck, existing assembly, wind design, drainage, access, and system requirements, so attachment should follow the documented project conditions.
Seams and Flashings: The Details That Matter
EPDM seams are commonly joined with adhesives or seam tapes rather than heat welding, so the quality of the seam work is especially important. Flashings at walls, curbs, drains and rooftop equipment are also detailed with rubber materials and sealants. Seams, flashings, penetrations, drains, edges, and other transitions are common places to investigate when leaks occur, so those details deserve the same attention as the field membrane.
EPDM Compared With TPO and PVC
- EPDM. A synthetic-rubber membrane that uses compatible seam and flashing methods; suitability depends on the building, roof assembly, exposures, drainage, and project requirements.
- TPO. A thermoplastic single-ply membrane commonly installed with heat-welded seams. Empire Contractors’ TPO roofing page for neighboring Green Bay describes this system.
- PVC. A thermoplastic single-ply membrane with heat-welded seams; suitability for grease, oils, chemicals, or other exposures depends on the specific product and building conditions.
No single membrane is right for every building. Rooftop equipment, drainage, foot traffic, building use, substrate, attachment, exposures, project requirements, and budget all affect the choice.
What an EPDM Installation Involves
- Roof evaluation. The existing roof, insulation, deck and drainage are inspected so the plan fits what is actually there.
- Preparation. Existing materials are removed, retained, or prepared according to the chosen scope, and unsuitable insulation, deck, or substrate conditions are addressed.
- Membrane placement. Membrane sheets are positioned and secured according to the selected attachment method, then seams and related details are completed using the system’s compatible materials.
- Detailing. Flashings and edges are completed around walls, curbs, drains and penetrations.
- Final review. The completed roof, drainage details, penetrations, edges, cleanup, and project documentation are reviewed as part of closeout.
Repairing and Maintaining an EPDM Roof
EPDM roofs benefit from inspection and maintenance appropriate to the system and building. Conditions to watch can include seam changes, punctures, flashing deterioration, drainage problems, and damage near service routes or rooftop equipment. Localized damage may be repairable with compatible EPDM repair materials and methods when the surrounding membrane and substrate remain suitable. Keep drainage paths clear and document visible changes after significant weather or rooftop service work, following an inspection schedule appropriate to the roof system and building. Empire Contractors’ roof repair page explains the approach of finding every source of water entry before repairing.
Is EPDM Right for Your De Pere Building?
EPDM can be considered for many flat and low-slope commercial roofs, but suitability depends on the existing assembly, building use, exposures, drainage, attachment needs, and project requirements. Before recommending it, a contractor should look at the existing roof, insulation condition, deck, drainage and the equipment on the roof. Cold-weather conditions also make drainage, snow and ice management, edge details, installation limits, and access important planning considerations. If deterioration, moisture, attachment, substrate, or drainage problems are widespread, commercial roof replacement may need to be compared with repair or another roof-system option.
EPDM Roofing in De Pere, WI
Empire Contractors can review a commercial roof, explain whether EPDM fits the documented conditions, and outline installation, repair, or maintenance options for a De Pere property. Current contact information is available through the company.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does EPDM stand for?
EPDM stands for ethylene propylene diene monomer. It is a synthetic rubber membrane used mainly on flat and low-slope commercial roofs.
Is an EPDM roof the same as a rubber roof?
Yes. People commonly call EPDM a rubber roof because the membrane is a synthetic rubber sheet.
How are EPDM seams joined?
EPDM seams commonly use compatible seam tapes, primers, adhesives, and flashing materials depending on the system. Seam condition is one of several details to review during inspection.
What should an EPDM roofing proposal identify?
It should identify the roof assembly, attachment method, membrane and seam details, insulation or substrate work, drainage, flashings, penetrations, edges, and any exclusions or allowances.