How Rubber Roofs Function

Aside from a few home repair enthusiasts, roof repairs are one of the most dreaded tasks for homeowners. A leaking roof can severely damage your home’s structure and, if not addressed, can result in destruction of valuable possessions. Asphalt shingles, which are common on most roofs, typically only last 15 to 20 years and require frequent maintenance and attention.

If you're seeking an alternative to the challenging and often costly upkeep of asphalt shingles, rubber roofing might be the solution. You might imagine rubber roofing as simply laying down a bunch of Goodyear tires on your home, but that’s not the case. While rubber roofing materials come in rolls for flat roofs, you can also purchase rubber shingles that resemble slate tiles, available in a wide range of colors and designs [source: The Roofery].

An additional benefit of rubber roofing materials is that most rolls and shingles are made from recycled tires, sawdust, and slate dust, making them much more eco-friendly than traditional roofing materials. Although rubber shingles can be more expensive than asphalt options, they are far more durable and resilient to harsh weather and extreme temperature fluctuations. Rubber shingles are also lighter and more affordable than slate tiles, if that’s your preferred style, and they offer comparable fire resistance. Rubber roofing also lasts longer and needs less upkeep—many manufacturers offer warranties ranging from 30 to 50 years, with some even providing lifetime coverage. The first rubber roof, installed on a home in Wisconsin in 1980, is still performing well today [source: Keon].

Continue reading to discover how to install a rubber roof.

How to Install Rubber Roofs

In addition to being durable and requiring little maintenance, a significant benefit of using rubber shingles or rolls is that their installation process is much faster and simpler compared to asphalt or slate shingles. Typically, installing a large rubber roll is the most efficient and affordable method for rubber roofing. Because these large rolls have no seams and are highly durable in extreme weather, the chances of leaks and cracks are minimal. However, rubber shingles are more expensive, and they need to be nailed down in overlapping rows, similar to other shingle types. Rubber shingles are much lighter than asphalt and slate shingles, making them easier to transport and handle during installation [source: ChikyMiky].

Before installing your new rubber roof, ensure that your roof is stripped down to a plywood base, as most manufacturers will not honor warranties if the rubber roof is applied directly over the existing roofing. After removing the old roof, measure and cut around chimneys, vents, and antennas, then prepare the adhesive. Once you’ve shaped the rubber roll to fit your roof, clean the surface thoroughly to remove dirt, dust, and debris before applying the adhesive. Lay the rubber roll across the adhesive, trim where necessary, and check for air bubbles. If everything looks good, wait about 30 minutes for the adhesive to bond, then make any final adjustments needed [source: Old House Web].

Rubber shingles can be added to a flat rubber roof to enhance its appearance. Before applying rubber shingles, seal any seams with latex tape or sealant. The shingles are installed in overlapping rows, similar to the process for asphalt shingles.

Proceed to the next page to discover how to maintain your newly installed rubber roof.

Maintaining Rubber Roofs

One of the key benefits of installing a rubber roof on your home is its longevity, requiring far less maintenance compared to traditional asphalt or slate roofs. Depending on the quality of your rubber roofing system, maintenance might be minimal—some systems even claim to be impervious to cracking and leaking when installed correctly [source: The Home N' Garden Center].

However, if your rubber roof encounters issues—whether due to installation flaws or rubber degradation—repairing it is usually a quick and straightforward task. Like all roofing materials, rubber expands and contracts with temperature changes. For cracks or leaks in the rubber, simply apply latex tape or sealant. If your roof has significant damage, consider patching it with new rubber shingles or a smaller rubber roofing roll.

For added protection, many homeowners with rubber roofs choose to apply a layer of liquid rubber or a similar liquid sealant over the entire roofing system, helping to minimize future upkeep and maintenance [source: Gupta].

Now that you have the basic understanding of how to install and maintain rubber roofs, for more intricate roofing systems, it’s a good idea to hire a professional contractor. However, flat roofs and other simple designs can be installed by most homeowners with ease.

If you're interested in other home improvement topics, be sure to explore the links on the next page.