Slate vs. EPDM Rubber Sheet: Which is The Better Material for Roofing?

 

Confused between slate and EPDM rubber sheet for roofing?

Which one is easier to install and cost-effective? 

When we talk about roofing, the first thing that comes to our mind is weather resistance. Roofing is completely an outdoor application. Hence, it needs to have resistance against extreme temperatures and water. It is an important decision as poor roofing can damage your building and valuable assets. 

Now let us see, 

Slate vs. EPDM Rubber Sheet: Which is The Better Material for Roofing?

1. Weight:

Slate is a heavy roofing material. Thus, it is tough to carry the material for installation. The infrastructure should be compatible with such heavy roofing. Slates are approximately four times heavier than asphalt shingles. Besides, it can weigh up to 800 pounds per square foot, approximately. Your building will collapse if it is not robust enough to support it. 

On the other hand, an EPDM rubber sheet is lightweight. It is easy to carry and handle. As a result, the installation of rubber sheet EPDM does not require manual effort. In addition, you can install it in any building. It does not require robust structural support. 

2. Ease of installation:

Regular roofing contractors cannot install slate roofing. It is heavy and requires more manual effort for installation. The installation process is difficult and time-consuming. However, it approximately takes 3 to 4 months to install in an average-sized building. 

Whereas, an EPDM rubber sheet is easy to handle. It is easy to install and does not take much time. You can simply install them with adhesives. Thus, the installation of rubber sheet EPDM does not require laborers. 

3. Cost-effective: 

Slate has high upfront costs. In addition, the installation cost is high due to the involvement of roofing specialists. Slate roofing requires additional accessories like ventilation, flashing, and others. Hence, this can increase the overall cost. Due to the heavy weight of the slate, you may have to restructure your existing roof structure. 

However, an EPDM rubber sheet has medium to high upfront costs. It does not require additional labor expenses or accessories. Besides, you can install EPDM rubber sheeting in any infrastructure. An EPDM rubber sheet is easy to maintain. 

It is highly durable and does not require frequent replacements. In addition, EPDM rubber sheet suppliers suggest that it is easy to clean and repair. You can clean it with a regular detergent solution or specialized cleaning agents. You can cut and paste a patch of EPDM rubber sheet in the damaged roofing area. 

4. Weather resistance: 

Slate is naturally brittle in nature. It can withstand wind, rain, and snow. However, slate tends to be damaged in strong hail. Whereas, the EPDM rubber sheet is known for its excellent weather-resisting properties. A rubber sheet EPDM can resist low temperatures up to -30 degrees centigrade, approximately. Besides, it does not damage in high temperatures like +130 degrees centigrade, approximately. 

An EPDM rubber sheet has high resistance against UV rays and ozone. It does not disintegrate with their exposure. On the other hand, rubber sheet EPDM has excellent waterproofing properties. Thus, EPDM sheet waterproofing establishes anti-leakage roofing in extreme rainfall. As a result, this makes it ideal for roofing applications. 

To sum up, 

An EPDM rubber sheet is a smarter choice for roofing. It is lightweight and is easy to install. Besides, it does not require heavy labor expenses for installation. On the other hand, slate is heavy and requires specialists for installation. EPDM rubber sheet is a cost-effective option. It requires less maintenance costs in the long run.

FAQ

Can EPDM rubber sheets be customized?

Yes, you can customize them from EPDM rubber sheet suppliers at a competitive EPDM rubber sheet price. With customization, you can alter the EPDM rubber sheet specification. You can tailor-make the EPDM sheet thickness, size, and color according to your needs. Customization helps you cater to different industrial applications.

What is a commercial grade EPDM rubber made of?

EPDM is made of three monomers. Ethylene takes 45-75% of the structure of the polymer. Besides, 25-55% is composed of Propylene. Diene monomer consists of 1-10% of the polymer structure. EPDM is actually a type of synthetic rubber. It undergoes vulcanization and the addition of additives and fillers.

What are the other applications of EPDM sheets?

EPDM sheets are used for the lining of pipes and tanks. Besides, manufacturers use them to make flange gaskets and seals. EPDM sheets also have applications such as heat-resistant skirting and belt scrapers. In addition, people use these rubber sheets for transfer and joining sleeves. EPDM sheets are also used to make insulating strips and isolation barriers.