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When it comes to roofing, most people think of your basic slate or asphalt shingles. But if there are other options out there, if signs are pointing to you or your commercial building is in need of a new roof, you may want to look into rubber roofing. Rubber roofing has many advantages, and in some cases exceed the advantages of your average shingle job. What type of advantages you say? Well, KTM Exteriors & Recycling specializes in rubber roofing, and with official certifications from Carlisle and Mule-Hide puts us in a position making us a perfect guide to explore these advantages.

First off, let’s touch base on what exactly rubber roofing is. Rubber roofing, known in the roofing business as an EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) roof is made of rubber or plastic polymers or a combination of both. Rubber is also one of the “greenest” choices that a homeowner can make. The rubber itself takes less energy to produce than most other roofing materials and is often made from recycled materials, to begin with. And the roof is 100% recyclable at the end of its long life. Single-ply synthetic membrane roofing is water-proof, strong, and pilant, making it the obvious choice to reduce leaking and help ensure a more impenetrable sealing. Flat and/or low-pitched roofs lack the assistance of gravitational pull to help water run off in a quick and efficient manner, which opens up the possibility of water being blown underneath poorly sealed shingles. This leaves your roof, and your property less effectively protected. Due to its flexibility, rubber roofing can be used on structures that typical asphalt roofing would be deemed extremely difficult or impossible. Rubber roofs come in a variety of thicknesses, from 45mm all the way up to 90mm. Which size is right for any particular home depends on the location of the home, the pitch of the roof and several other factors.

The most common roofing technique and material is asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles typically last approximately 15-20 years, within those years it requires a bit more attention and maintenance to ensure proper roof protection. Rubber being more long-lasting can double asphalt’s lasting power, with a properly installed rubber roof, it can last 50 years or longer with much less maintenance or repairs required. You may never experience any cracking or leaking at all with a rubber roof, but should you ever encounter a crack or leak within the roof the repairs are fast, easy, and exceptionally inexpensive. Repairs could be as simple as laying down a latex sealant, sometimes a tube of liquid rubber is all that is needed to patch things up, or in other cases a specially designed tape that is specific to repairing rubber roofs will do the job.In any event, repairing one of these roofs, if and when it should become necessary, is almost never a problem. Maintenance is another advantage. Almost all roofing materials require some maintenance over the years, but rubber requires little if any care. The most that a homeowner may wish to do is to repaint the roof with acrylic paint once every 10 to 12 years.

Most rubber roofs are laid in a single piece, which in turn means little to no seems, thus ensuring fewer leaks and less of a possibility of water seeping under the roofing and destroying the inside of your property and structure. They continuously prove to be very durable, weather resistant, and completely waterproof. Since modern rubber is not susceptible to the sun’s UV rays, it is very resistant to thermal shock. You should rarely, if ever, see the roofing crack or become brittle due to hot or cold temperatures, where as asphalt roofing cannot guarantee such protection. Property owners can put their mind at ease regarding the rubber cracking or freezing under extremes of cold weather, for it is designed to take both extremes of hot as well as cold. Rubber is capable of withstanding high winds, and even hail that is up to three inches in diameter. It is no match for a lot of extreme weather conditions and shows very high resistance to ultraviolet radiation and cyclic fatigue.

Lastly, one of the biggest advantages to rubber roofing is the all around cost. The roofing material itself is less expensive than a good majority of your other roofing material choices. The product is lightweight, and installation is quick and easy, which greatly reduces labor and installation cost. When the rubber is being installed, it is glued as opposed to using methods involving heat, which could adversely affect a homeowners insurance policy. You will find that rubber roofs are extremely energy efficient as well. It’s dual capabilities insulates the home, trapping in heat to reduce energy costs and utility bills in these chilly New England months. Come summer time, the roof reflects the sun’s heat, especially lighter colored rubber roofs, mostly designed for residential property roofs, saving the homeowner considerably on air conditioning costs. When considering installing a rubber roof at your home or commercial property, check in with your homeowners insurance, you might be pleasantly surprised to learn that there is a rate reduction for installing a rubber roof. This is in part due to the face that rubber is fire resistance, making such a roof almost impossible to set afire, or damage through a lightning strike. The rubber is actively resistant to all forms of fire and heat and can slow down fires while awaiting for help from their local fire department to arrive.

All things considered, between durability, eco friendly, kinder to your wallet, and their ability to provide satisfactory protection to your home or commercial property for exceeding lengths of time rubber roofing seems to be a no brainer when it comes to choosing your new roofing. Contact KTM for further specifics of rubber roofing, set up an appointment to see if this is the right fit for you! Don’t forget, we are also available to make commercial roofing repairs, from office buildings to apartment complexes, put your trust in KTM to service your rubber roof.

While your at it, make a stop through the “our work” tab located above on our website, where you can check out where KTM was recently contracted to repair the roofs on Pequot Highlands, a 6- and 12 story building, in Salem, Massachusetts. Throughout the repair process, we were met with a lot of obstacles but repair was a breeze. The before and after pictures show just how precise we are with roof repair.

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