Best suited to
buildings with heavy rooftop equipment and lots of penetrations, and owners who want a proven, repairable system.
EPDM Rubber Roofing, at a glance
EPDM is black synthetic rubber sheet, seamed with tape or adhesive, and it has the longest field record of any low-slope system in the Midwest. It handles temperature swings and foot traffic well and is a practical choice for older buildings with a lot of penetrations. John Beal Roofing installs and repairs it across St. Louis. Call (314) 429-6000.
The Short Version
Whether This System Fits Your Building
Service life
20 to 25 years, and it patches cleanly for years past that.
What to watch
The seams and the flashing at curbs, which is where an epdm roof gives up long before the field sheet does.
Installation
Where These Roofs Actually Fail
Membrane failures are almost never in the middle of the sheet. They start at the details — the curb flashing, the pipe boot, the wall termination, the drain.
That is why we spend the time on the parts nobody photographs. A field seam takes minutes; a properly rebuilt curb takes an afternoon and it is what decides whether the roof makes twenty years.
We also register the manufacturer warranty on your building, so the coverage exists in writing under your address rather than in a folder somewhere.
Related: TPO vs EPDM vs PVC compared
Common Questions
How long will this roof last in St. Louis?
20 to 25 years, and it patches cleanly for years past that. Our freeze-thaw cycles and summer heat are hard on any membrane, so the install details and a twice-yearly inspection matter as much as the material.
Can we recover over the existing roof instead of tearing off?
Sometimes. If the substrate is dry and the deck is sound, a recover saves real money. If a moisture scan shows wet insulation, tearing off is the only honest answer.
Do you install this system yourselves?
Yes. Our own crews do the work, and we hold manufacturer certifications for the systems we install, which is what makes the full system warranty available.
What does a repair on this system cost versus replacement?
A localized repair is a fraction of a replacement, and on a roof with remaining life it is the right call. We will tell you which one your roof is — with photos.
How disruptive is the installation?
Low-slope work happens on the roof, not inside the building. We coordinate hot work, odor and noise windows with the tenants or residents before we mobilize.
Free Roof Evaluation
Tell us about the building and a dispatcher will call to schedule.