• What is EPDM?
    EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) is a synthetic rubber that is manufactured for a wide range of applications. It is a strong, durable material with sheet forms being used for everything from roofs and building facades to pond and lake liners! For more information on EPDM, see our page About EPDM.
  • Is an EPDM rubber roof suitable for my flat roof?
    You can lay EPDM roofing on most flat or gently sloping roofs. EPDM is also suitable for use with both cold and warm deck build-ups. If you are laying EPDM on an existing roof, we recommend you strip off the original roofing material and inspect the deck below in case any repairs are required before laying EPDM. See our EPDM Comparison to see which EPDM roofing membrane is most suitable for your flat roof.
  • What's the biggest size EPDM roofing sheet I can buy?
    On our website, you can buy EPDM roofing up to 6.7m x 25m, but we can fabricate various shapes and sizes in our factory. If you have a special requirement, contact us and we can advise the best solution.
  • Which adhesive should I use with my EPDM roofing?
    You should choose your adhesive based on the substrate and conditions you are laying your roof on. For the main deck, you can choose between P150, Water Based Adhesive (WBA) and Contact Adhesive.
  • Do I need any special tools for laying EPDM roofing?
    For a simple roof, you will typically just need a roller or brush to apply adhesive, and scissors or a Stanley knife for trimming the EPDM. A Seam Roller is a useful tool for tapes, joins or other more detailed work.
  • Are EPDM roofing membranes guaranteed?
    RubberTop EPDM has a lifespan of over 50 years. We offer a 10 year material guarantee to approved and certified installers on completion and acceptance of a warranty application form along with pictures of the roof. This is because issues with EPDM roofing usually occur due to installation errors rather than faults with the material. To become approved or certified, please contact us.
  • Can EPDM sheets be joined?
    Yes, all of our EPDM membranes can be joined either on-site utilising our tape system or welded in our factory to your requirements.
  • Is EPDM environmentally friendly?
    Yes, EPDM is a full circle product environmentally. Production of EPDM is low impact environmentally compared to other roofing materials, it has a long usage life, and once this is up, it can be recycled into other rubber products, such as rubber mats.
  • What are the differences between RubberTop, Classicbond and Firestone EPDM?
    RubberTop EPDM is 1.2mm thick, the same as Classicbond, and opposed to the thinner 1.1mm of Firestone RubberCover as defined by EN 13956. Classicbond and Firestone are both a dark grey colour with a chalky finish, whereas RubberTop is black with a slight texture in the material. RubberTop is also weldable so that it is possible to create different shapes (T or L etc) at our factory for single piece installation.
  • Why would I need geotextile underlay for my EPDM roof?
    Geotextile underlay is a mechanically bonded, rot proof material that provides protection to the membrane from sharp objects. Most frequently, it is used on the top of EPDM roof membranes where ballast or screed is to be laid to stop these rubbing against the membrane.
  • Can I walk on my EPDM roof?
    Yes, to some extent. EPDM is not designed for heavy foot traffic areas such as a balcony (although there are pads and fittings that can be used if you wish to use EPDM for this), but light traffic for repairs and maintenance should be fine.
  • Is there a right side up when installing RubberTop EPDM Membranes?
    RubberTop EPDM membranes are identical on both sides so there is no right or wrong side when installing. However, you may sometimes find a small amount of writing printed on one side of the Rubber Membrane and it may be wise to keep this side down so an eyesore is not created.
  • Is RubberTop EPDM BBA Certified?
    Yes, the RubberTop FR membrane holds a British Board of Agrément certificate. Both RubberTop and RubberTop FR materials have also been classified as meeting Building Regs Part B (fire spread) with various roof build-ups. For more information, please see Fire Regulations.
  • Can I lay my EPDM roof if it is wet?
    No, the substrate must be dry before the membrane is laid, or the adhesive will not be able to bond to it properly and too much moisture will be trapped in the deck which could negatively impact the performance.
  • Can I lay my EPDM roofing membrane over my existing roof covering?
    EPDM can be laid over some existing roof coverings but should not be laid over asphalt or bitumen. We would always recommend you lift your existing covering to check the deck prior to putting any new roofing down. If you wish to lay your EPDM membrane over an existing roof, it is best to lay a new deck layer over the top of the existing material to attach your EPDM to.