Why a rubber membrane on a flat roof
Asphalt shingles fail fast on anything under a 2:12 pitch — water sits and finds every gap. Rubber membranes solve that. A single-ply EPDM or TPO sheet is bonded across the entire deck, with seams welded or seam-taped so there is no path for water in.
EPDM vs. TPO — which we recommend
EPDM is the proven choice — a black rubber sheet with a 30-50 year track record. TPO is a white, heat-welded membrane that reflects sun and runs cooler on the surface, which can lower attic temps in summer. We will recommend based on your building, climate exposure, and budget.
The details that decide the lifespan
A flat roof leaks at the edges and penetrations, not the field. We pay extra attention to the wall flashing, drip edge terminations, pipe boots, and drain bowls — these are where rubber roofs almost always fail when they fail.
