FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RUBBERGARD™ EPDM ROOFING MEMBRANE

RubberGard EPDM is a 100% cured single-ply roofing membrane made of a synthetic rubber Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Terpolymer. Since the installation of our first EPDM roof in 1980, more than 1,500,000,000 m² of RubberGard EPDM membranes have been successfully installed worldwide, from Alaska to the Arabian Gulf.

RubberGard EPDM membranes offer unmatched resistance to UV radiation, ozone, alkaline rains and both high and low temperatures. As the membrane does not contain any volatile ingedrients or products that may migrate over time, its characteristics remain stable and unchanged over time. Studies show a life expectancy for EPDM membranes of more than 50 years, even when exposed to sunlight. On top of its exceptional service-life, the membrane is easy to repair, even several decades after its installation. Its lifespan can thus be extended to even more than 50 years.

Top quality, versatility, design freedom and sustainability are among the key benefits of RubberGard EPDM. It is a flexible membrane that keeps its flexibility even at low temperatures (-45°C). It has excellent lay-flat characteristics and adapts and conforms to irregular shapes very easily. It follows the geometry of the supports and accepts their various expansions or retractions due to climatic variations without ever saturating or breaking. For both new constructions and renovations, the RubberGard EPDM roofig membrane can be installed directly on most substrates, with or without insulation.

On top of that, there are various installation methods that can be used. It can be fully adhered, mechanically fixed, or ballasted, depending on the project needs. The RubberGard EPDM membrane can also be combined with extensive green roofs, solar installations and/or blue roofs, offering excellent durability and longevity.

The most sustainable roof is a durable roof which uses the least amount of natural resources. Greenpeace, GreenTeam, and NIBE put forward EPDM as the roofing membrane with the least environmental impact.  All in all, choosing RubberGard EPDM is an easy way towards making significant contribution to the reduction of CO2 emissions. It offers a durable, long-term roofing solution that helps promote efficient and sustainable building practices.

Elevate RubberGard EPDM is an inert material with low environmental impact. No toxic substances are released during and after its installation, allowing the collection and use of run-off rainwater for domestic use. It can also be recycled and re-used. Elevate also offers Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies and product-specific Environmental Product Declaration (EPDs), which provide full transparency of the material’s environmental impact, with “cradle-to-grave” analysis.

RubberGard EPDM is a single world-champion! No matter for which location or climate, RubberGard EPDM is made using the same base formulation and installed all over the world. The same membrane is applied in the ice-cold Alaska and in the extremely hot Arabian gulf. Due to its stable chemical composition and fully cured state, RubberGard EPDM is considered chemically inert and constant over time.

Lightweight construction is becoming a new trend in the market, and RubberGard EPDM fully supports such applications. Compared to other traditional waterproofing materials that come in multi-layers, RubberGard EPDM is a single-ply, thin and lightweight membrane.

RubberGard EPDM is easy to install. It is available in large seamless sheets up to 15.25 m wide x 61 m long (930 m²), resulting in fewer field seams needed for large surfaces and shorter installation times (typically 6.10 x 30.5 m panels used). Additionally, Elevate's QuickSeam Tape technology provides a proven field seaming solution without requiring special tools.

Unlike other waterproofing membranes, RubberGard EPDM does not require flames or hot-air welding. The details on roofs are executed with primers and self-adhesive products. The risk of onsite fire is therefore minimized.

RubberGard EPDM can only be installed by professional roofing contractors that have been trained and approved by Elevate. The company offers a variety of educational programs at training facilities spread across Europe and Asia. The objective of these training programs is to educate and familiarize roofing contractors with all aspects of EPDM roofing system installations, from beginner to advanced level. For more information please contact your local Elevate representative.

The repairability of the membrane after decades of use renders the system more durable and reduces the environmental impact. Given the inert nature of the RubberGard EPDM membrane, its composition is stable over time. For this reason, the membrane can still be repaired using Elevate accessories, even many years after its installation and exposure to climatic agents. Repairs are quick and easy to carry out. They can be performed with everyday tools, without the need for electrical power or sophisticated and expensive equipment.

The most popular and durable version of RubberGard EPDM is manufactured as a homogenous black EPDM rubber sheet. Any acrylic coating in pastel colors can be applied over it, whether it's new or existing membrane, for aesthetical reasons without decreasing the lifespan of the membrane. The difference could be the life expectancy of the coating itself. Several acrylic coatings are available in the market and can be applied directly to the EPDM surface.

RubberGard EPDM is the best roofing solution for renovations. Unlike other roofing membranes where there are limitations with compatibility, applicability, and product weight, RubberGard EPDM can be applied on top of all existing roofing systems, whether it is a bituminous roof (with several layers) or a single-ply membrane.

Installing solar panels on roofs is a green initiative that contributes to the sustainability of the building and its value, while improving at the same time its energy efficiency. The investment horizon is typically based on 20 to 25 years of financial projection, so the roofing system must be able to support the installation of the solar panels for at least that period, to maximize returns.

Solar panels generate additional heat, which typically leads to faster heat aging of the membrane underneath. RubberGard EPDM has outstanding resistance to aging and has proven its excellent performance under solar panels. Its exceptional durability renders it an effective match that lasts significantly longer than the investment horizon of PV systems.

Resistance to root penetration and robustness to cope with the foot traffic associated with maintenance are crucial on green roofs. RubberGard EPDM is an ideal product for a green or living roof. It has successfully passed various tests of root resistance (DIN 4062, CEN/TS 14416: 2005, EN 13948, FLL). For more details about design and installation requirements, please contact Elevate's technical department.

To correctly manage and harvest rainwater through a blue roof, the roofing membrane has to be inert, in addition to having outstanding waterproofing quality. Thanks to its highly stable chemical composition, the RubberGard EPDM membrane is chemically inert, non-toxic and has no carcinogenic ingredients. Thus, the water quality upon contact with the membrane is compliant with environmental standards for surface water and has zero abnormal bacterial presence. It is therefore possible to recycle the collected water for use as domestic water.

Elevate is a leading BREEAM & LEED advocate and is pleased to offer RubberGard EPDM, which helps achieve both program’s highest ratings. RubberGard EPDM roofing systems play a key role in the Green Building Rating Systems that promote responsible design and sustainable construction. For an overview of the standards set by both BREEAM & LEED and how RubberGard EPDM can minimize your environmental impact and maximize building value, you may contact our environmental experts or consult our BREEAM / LEED guide books.

Elevate’s commitment to the environment could not exclude the care for the end-of-life roofs. RubberGard EPDM can be recycled and there are several possibilities, such as chemical and mechanical recycling, pyrolysis, and devulcanization. According to the EPDM Roofing Association (ERA), EPDM is the leading recycled commercial roofing product in North America. However, due to the long service life of RubberGard EPDM (> 50 years), the volumes of end-of-life membranes are currently negligible.

The RubberGard EPDM membrane is Factory Mutual (FM) and UL approved. Thousands of RubberGard EPDM assemblies/roofing systems have been tested and approved as per FM guidelines. Extended information on all the Elevate FM Approved roofing products assemblies can be found in https://roofnav.com

The RubberGard EPDM membrane has obtained the CE marking, proving that it meets current European requirements in the field of safety, health, environment and consumer protection. Moreover, to deliver a quality product, our EPDM manufacturing facilities follow stringent quality control guidelines. From raw material selection to finished product testing, our EPDM roofing production sites have been certified according to ISO 9001 for their quality management system.

RubberGard EPDM waterproofing systems have been tested and certified by numerous national and international bodies. The RubberGard EPDM membrane has the following approvals: ATG, DTA, CCT, DIT, BBA, Komo, FM, etc.  Please contact the Elevate's technical department if you are looking for a specific classification or rating.

Since 1980, RubberGard EPDM roofing systems have been installed on hundreds of thousands of roofs worldwide. Please contact your Elevate local representative for more details.

UltraPly TPO BIM data is available on BIMObject.