Although rubber roofs are not seen on homes as often as other types of roofing materials, there are a number of advantages to rubber roofing that make it a very attractive option. As with any type of roofing material, there are benefits and drawbacks to choosing rubber roofs. Knowing what the pros and cons are when it comes to rubber roofs, and understanding what features are most important to you when choosing a roof, will help you decide if a rubber roof is right for you.

Types of Rubber Roofs

There are two main types of rubber roof styles available – rubber roof shingles and rubber whole roof sheeting. Each works better in specific situations and has its own benefits and drawbacks.

Rubber Roof Shingles
These look and function just like other types of roofing shingles, except that they are made from synthetic rubber. They are lightweight, are easy to cut and shape to fit particular areas, and are installed on a roof just like any other type of roofing shingle.

Whole Roof Rubber Sheeting
This type of rubber roofing is custom-made to specifically fit a particular size and shape of roof in one complete piece. It is a more expensive option than rubber roof shingles, but offers the advantages of being leak-proof since there are no seams. Due to the large size of a piece of roofing, it is much heavier to transport and install, but can be a great option for small, flat roofs.

IB Rubber Roofing Costs

At the higher end of rubber roof costs is IB PVC, a more energy efficient vinyl cool roofing material.
IB 50 millimeter membrane will cost $600-$800 per square or $6000 – $8000 for a 1000 sq ft. flat roof. This price includes installtion.

EPDM Rubber Roofing Costs

At the lower end of the cost spectrum is EPDM rubber roofing. EPDM is a composite of propylene, ethylene and diene monomer. This membrane often comes in 7ft wide strips of black “rubber compound.” EPDM rubber roofing membrane costs $300 to $400 per square for material. For a 1000 sq ft. home expect to add $1500 to $2500 for installation costs.

The other EPDM option is a white on black membrane, which has better energy efficiency and should be considered for warm climates. This option costs about 30% more than the standard EPDM – so $400 to $550 per square. The cost of installation will generally be equal. Click for more information on rubber roofing costs.

Benefits of Rubber Roofs

There are quite a few benefits that rubber roofs offer compared to other types of roofing material. These include:

Energy efficient
Rubber provides great insulation and can withstand extreme temperatures. It also reflects sun and heat away from the house.

Lightweight
Easy to transport and to get onto the roof.

Virtually Impenetrable
Rubber roofing is almost leak proof. Care still needs to be taken around seams and in places where rubber may crack or split. Liquid sealers can be applied over rubber roofs that dry like rubber and protect from leaks even more.

Pliable
Rubber roofing can be easily cut or molded in places that would be difficult to cover with other roofing materials.

Low Maintenance
Rubber roofs require almost no maintenance, except for occasional re-sealing if cracks or tears occur.

Extremely Durable
Will last longer than most other types of roofing materials, as much as twice as long.

Fire Resistant
Good in places prone to wildfires.

Dent Resistant
Good in places prone to hail.

Waterproof
Rubber is not damaged by exposure to water and does not allow water to penetrate.

Easy To Install
Rubber roofing shingles are relatively easy to install, although single-ply rubber roofing sheets may require additional expertise. Rubber roofs can usually be installed right over existing roofing, with a layer of insulating foam between the two. This increases energy efficiency and reduces time and cost of installation.

Easy To Fix
Rubber roofing can be fixed with spare pieces of rubber and adhesive, special tape that covers small cracks, or a liquid sealer that can be applied anywhere and dries like rubber.

Environmentally Friendly
Rubber roofs are typically made from recycled materials.

Drawbacks of Rubber Roofs

Cost
Rubber roofs can be expensive, especially whole roof rubber sheeting. Rubber roof shingles can be comparable in price to wooden shingles.

Aesthetics
Rubber roofing is generally not as attractive as other roofing options.

Expansion And Contraction
Since rubber expands and contracts due to temperature changes, it can result in cracks, splits and fissures. Rubber roof shingles can rip or tear over time. The good news, however, is that repairs are easy to make.

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