I've been curious about rubber roofing myself, but I've read mixed reviews on its longevity in extreme heat or intense UV exposure.
Sounds promising though...anyone have experience with how it holds up long-term in hotter climates?"durable, quiet, and handles hail surprisingly well"
I've had EPDM rubber roofing on my garage here in Arizona for about 7 years now, and honestly, it's held up better than I expected. We get some brutal summers—temps regularly hitting 110°F—and it's still flexible, no cracking or peeling yet. The key seems to be proper installation and making sure it's UV-rated material. If you go that route, I'd suggest adding a reflective coating every few years...makes a noticeable difference in heat absorption too.
I've been thinking about EPDM roofing myself, so it's good to hear your experience has been positive overall. I'm curious about the reflective coating you mentioned—did you apply it yourself, and if so, was it pretty straightforward? I've heard mixed things about DIY coating applications, especially in hot climates like ours.
A friend of mine went with EPDM on his shed a few years back, and he swears by it too. He mentioned something similar about UV-rated materials being crucial. But he also said that prepping the surface before applying any coatings was a big deal—cleaning thoroughly, making sure there's no debris or dust left behind, etc. Did you find that to be true as well?
Also wondering about maintenance beyond just the reflective coating. Have you had to patch or reseal any seams over the years? I know Arizona sun can be brutal on adhesives and sealants, so I'm curious how that's held up for you long-term.
One thing I've been considering is adding some insulation underneath the EPDM layer when I redo my roof. Not sure if you've tried this or if anyone else here has experience with insulation under rubber roofing? Seems like it could help even more with heat control and energy efficiency, but maybe it's overkill for a garage or shed...
Anyway, appreciate you sharing your insights—definitely gives me confidence to move forward with this option.
"One thing I've been considering is adding some insulation underneath the EPDM layer when I redo my roof."
Funny you mention insulation under EPDM...I've seen it done a few times, and honestly, it can make a noticeable difference, especially in our crazy heat. But I've also seen folks go a bit overboard—like turning their sheds into mini iceboxes. 😂 Curious if anyone's found that sweet spot between "just enough" insulation and total overkill?
When I redid my garage roof a couple years back, I went with insulation under EPDM too. Made a huge difference—especially in summer when it used to feel like an oven in there. But yeah, I've also known people who went nuts with insulation, thinking more is always better, and ended up with moisture issues because they didn't ventilate properly. Curious if anyone here's run into similar moisture problems after insulating under EPDM?
