For commercial properties in Florida, durability and longevity are essential. If you’re looking for a commercial roof replacement, an EPDM roof is one of your best options. These tried and true rubber roofs have been successfully used on commercial structures in Florida for decades! But how do they work, and what kind of performance can you expect?
PITCH Roofing is here to answer all of your questions about planning your next flat roof replacement. As experienced commercial roofers, we know the problems that flat roofs in Florida tend to run into. Stick with us as we cover how EPDM stands up to those challenges and what it will mean for you!
What Is an EPDM Roof?
Ethylene propylene diene monomer, EPDM, has been a commercial roofing staple since the early 1960s. Similar to TPO roofing, EPDM is a single-ply rubber roofing membrane. In other words, installers roll out a sheet of EPDM across your roof and then secure it in place. This is distinct from modified bitumen flat roofing, which contains multiple layers.
While it may seem counterintuitive, there are many advantages to a single-ply roofing system. For one thing, it speeds up installation and lowers your roof replacement costs. But even more importantly, it makes your roof better able to resist the elements.
In Florida, UV rays are a killer for flat roofs. When you have a rubber roof like EPDM, though, the single-ply membrane is able to naturally expand and contract with the sun’s heat. This prevents wear and tear as well as premature aging, which increases the lifespan of your roof while mitigating the need for roof repairs.
This covers the basics of what an EPDM roof is and how it performs. But in our experience, every roof has some good and bad qualities. Let’s take a closer look at those to make sure you know what you’re signing up for!
Pros & Cons of an EPDM Roof in Florida
When planning a commercial roof replacement, people want the “best” roofing material possible. Best is subjective, however. That’s why we’re talking about the good and the bad of EPDM roofing in Florida — so you won’t have any nasty surprises waiting for you after you get your new roof. Let’s get started on everything you need to know!
Pro: Lasts a Long Time
If you want a flat roof with a long lifespan, there is no better option than an EPDM roof. Because rubber roofs can undergo thermal expansion, they tend to last much longer than asphalt bitumen flat roofs. In Florida, you can expect an EPDM roof to last for 25 to 30 years.
This number is not a guarantee, of course. How long your roof lasts will depend on your luck with the weather as well as how well you maintain your flat roof. That said, most Floridians can expect to get near the maximum life expectancy when their EPDM roof is correctly installed.
Con: Attracts UV Rays
In general, rubber roofs are good at reflecting UV rays away from your home. However, things are a little more complicated with an EPDM roof. Because these roofs usually come in black, they tend to attract more than their fair share of UV rays.
On the one hand, this isn’t a huge deal because EPDM can withstand UV rays. On the other, all of those extra UV rays are going to make your HVAC system work even harder. This won’t cause night and day changes in your electric bill, but it can make a small difference that adds up over time.
Pro: Easy to Repair and Maintain
No roof is immune to needing the occasional bit of maintenance or even repairs. But an EPDM roof has much lower maintenance and repair needs than other flat roofing materials. This is partially due to their natural resistance to the Florida elements.
Another contributing factor is how easy these roofs are to repair. Because it’s a rubber roofing system, contractors can quickly patch damaged sections of EPDM. This means your roof repairs will usually be quick and affordable, provided you get help as soon as you notice a problem with your roof.
Con: High Roof Installation Costs
The cost to install an EPDM roof can sometimes be a hurdle. While EPDM is not a luxury roofing material, it does skew on the higher side for flat roof replacements. The only way to find out how much your EPDM roof replacement will cost is through a roofing estimate, but we can give you an idea of what the ballpark may be.
For smaller commercial structures, an EPDM roof costs $8 to $18 per square foot. For larger commercial structures, this cost goes down to $6 to $13 per square foot. In either case, this puts them on the more expensive cost range for flat roof replacements. However, many property owners in Florida see EPDM roofing as a worthy investment!
Pro: Hides Dirt
We’ve already established that a black EPDM roof can attract extra sunlight. However, it can also be useful in hiding dirt and making your roof look cleaner. For this reason, EPDM roofing is especially popular with hospitals, medical centers, and other structures where you can see part of the roof from inside the building.
While a white roof helps reflect more UV rays away from your structure, it has the opposite problem. TPO roofs, for example, tend to show dirt quickly and can look much dirtier than they really are.
Get a Free EPDM Roof Replacement Estimate
Now that you know the ins and outs of what it means to get an EPDM roof, you’re ready to take the next step. That’s getting your free, no-obligation roofing estimate to find out exactly how much your EPDM roof replacement will cost!
To start the process, call us at 727-677-4824 or schedule your estimate online. We’ll then send out a roofing professional to inspect your roof and discuss your options with you. With PITCH, you don’t have to worry about hidden fees or inflated costs. We provide itemized estimates so there’s no guesswork and you know exactly where your money is going!
Reach out today for your free flat roof replacement quote. No matter what roofing material you decide to get, you’ll want PITCH’s veteran Florida roofers to work on your property. A commercial roof replacement can be a large investment, but it’s well worth it to make sure you’re getting experienced professionals who know the local best practices!
Heather Ware is an In-House Roofing Specialist at PITCH Roofing. Working daily alongside our internal roofing teams, she translates complex Florida building codes and roofing techniques into clear, actionable advice for homeowners. With 4 years of experience in the Florida roofing industry, her goal is to ensure property owners have the exact facts they need to protect their investments.
