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The Future of EPDM Rubber Roofing Technology

April 2, 2024 | General

The Future Of EPDM Rubber Roofing Technology

As the construction industry continues to evolve, so do the materials which play a crucial role in newly developed and developing projects. Amongst these materials is EPDM, a material which has proven itself time and time again since being developed in the 1960s.

Standing out as a pioneering material, famed for its durability, versatility, ease of installation, sustainability benefits and fully circular lifespan, it’s hard to believe that further improvements could be made. However, as with every synthetic material, there will always be areas for improvement.

In this blog post, we will highlight some of the future developments we believe are necessary for EPDM to retain its position as an integral and essential material in the roofing industry.

Fire Resistance

EPDM has proven itself in many sectors, and one of the many benefits that our trusted Techno EPDM membrane has shown is its ability to pass fire-resistance tests following BROOF (T4) certification: this means that our Techno flat roofing membrane burns for less than 5 minutes when exposed to flame, and the spread of the flames is below 0.38m across the region of burning. However, in the future, as the chemical structure of EPDM improves, we can expect to see both burn duration and spread decrease even further as the membrane is improved.

Sustainability

EPDM already has many benefits when it comes to sustainability, from its circular lifecycle to its reflective properties. It is with this in mind that we believe several factors will improve yet further over time:

Heat reflectivity improvements will continually work to lower heat absorption, leading to less reliance on HVAC systems for cooling/air conditioning, further reducing the carbon footprint of construction projects.
This will also work to positively impact EPDM as an insulator, retaining more heat within a construction project to further reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources.

Improved Installation

As EPDM advances, so must the essential materials which are necessary for a full flat roof installation. Advancements in adhesives, sealants and primers will ensure a stronger bond between both substrate and EPDM, ensuring that roofs stay weatherproofed and watertight for longer, while, advancements in PVC will improve trim resistance to both UV, weathering and movement over time, improving on EPDM's already superb robustness as a flat roof material.

Performance Characteristics

It’s no secret that we hold our Techno flat roof membrane in the highest regard: it has proven itself. As the UK’s preferred supplier of Techno EPDM membrane, we believe strongly in our product and, as with all synthetic materials, we’re constantly monitoring for improvements, particularly those which we know will bring benefit to our customers.

As with any synthetic material, as the process is refined, as demand increases and as more research is conducted, the material can be improved upon to refine characteristics such as its durability, leading to an even stronger product over time.

Help & Advice

We’re always on hand to answer any questions you may have about EPDM roofing, the installation process, or ordering the materials you need for your next EPDM roofing project. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to find out exactly what you need for your next roofing project, try our roofing calculator, which will calculate everything you need to complete your next installation.