Built-up Felt Roofing
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Single-ply and EPDM rubber roofing in Stoke-on-Trent
Single-sheet rubber membranes with few seams to fail.
Rubber roofing has quietly become the go-to system for flat roofs, and for good reason. EPDM is a tough synthetic rubber laid in large single sheets, often covering a whole domestic roof in one piece, so there are few or no seams to fail. Abbotts Flat Roofing installs EPDM and single-ply membranes across Staffordshire, on everything from garage roofs to commercial units, backed by over 15 years in the trade.
If you have been quoted for felt and wondered whether there is something longer lasting, EPDM rubber roofing is usually the answer for a straightforward flat roof. It stays flexible through summer heat and hard frost, shrugs off standing water and needs next to no maintenance once it is down. Get in touch on 07479 664747 for a free, no-obligation written quote.
How rubber roofing works and where it fits
EPDM is a single-ply rubber membrane, usually 1.2mm to 1.5mm thick, bonded directly to the deck with adhesive. On most domestic roofs we can order the sheet to size and lay it in one piece, which means no joints anywhere on the roof. No joints means nowhere for water to get in. That is the whole appeal of a rubber flat roof: the simplest possible covering with the fewest possible failure points.
On larger roofs, and on most commercial jobs, we move to single ply roofing membranes that are hot-air welded at the laps. The welder fuses each overlap into one continuous sheet, so the finished roof performs like a single membrane even across hundreds of square metres. It suits garages, extensions, porches and garden rooms at the domestic end, and shops, offices, industrial units and school buildings on the commercial side.
What a proper EPDM installation involves
A rubber roof is only as good as the deck underneath it, so we start there. We strip the old covering back to the timber, replace any boards that are soft or damp, and make sure the falls carry water to the outlet. The membrane is then rolled out, relaxed, and bonded to the deck with the right adhesive for each zone, fully stuck at the perimeters and details where wind load is highest.
The finish lives or dies at the edges. Every EPDM job we do gets purpose-made edge trims, properly formed corners and neat terminations at walls and upstands, because that is where cheap installations let water in. A recent double garage is a good example: the whole roof covered in one EPDM sheet, trimmed clean along every edge, with not a single seam on the roof. That is the standard we work to on every roof.
Lifespan, repairs and when to replace
EPDM rarely fails on its own. When we are called out to a leaking rubber roof, the problem is nearly always at a detail: a lifted edge trim, a poorly bonded upstand, or damage from something dropped on the roof. Signs to watch for are ponding water that never drains, membrane pulling away at the edges, and damp patches appearing on the ceiling below. Small punctures and lifted details can usually be repaired quickly and cheaply.
Where the deck is sound, repair is often the honest answer and we will tell you so. Where an old felt roof has blistered and cracked past saving, replacing it with an EPDM roofing system usually works out better value over time, because the membrane lasts for decades with almost no upkeep. We install and repair rubber roofs across Staffordshire, and take on work in Cheshire and Derbyshire too. Every quote is written, free and without obligation.
Why choose single-ply & EPDM membrane?
- One-piece sheets on most domestic roofs, so no seams
- Stays flexible through heatwaves and hard frost alike
- Decades of service life with minimal maintenance
- Hot-air welded single-ply for larger commercial roofs
- Clean edge trim detailing as standard on every job
- Free written quotes, over 15 years in the trade
Good to know
Single-Ply & EPDM Membrane questions, answered
Cannot see what you are after? Give us a call and we will talk it through, no pressure.
How long does rubber roofing last?
A properly installed EPDM roof should give decades of service, and often outlasts other coverings on the building. The rubber does not crack, blister or turn brittle the way felt does, and UV exposure barely affects it. Lifespan depends on the installation though: get the deck, bonding and edge details right and there is very little left to go wrong.
What affects the cost of a rubber roof?
The main factors are roof size, how much of the old covering needs stripping, and the condition of the deck underneath. Rotten boards, extra outlets, rooflights and complicated edge details all add labour. Access matters too: a low garage is quicker to work on than a second-storey extension. We survey the roof first, then give you a free written quote with everything itemised, so there are no surprises later.
Can you fit EPDM over my existing felt roof?
Sometimes, but we rarely recommend it. Laying rubber over old felt traps whatever moisture is already in the build-up, and you cannot check the deck for rot without stripping back. On most jobs the right approach is to remove the old covering, repair the timber where needed and bond the EPDM to a clean, dry deck. It costs a little more on the day and saves a lot over the roof's life.
Is EPDM rubber roofing suitable for commercial buildings?
Yes. EPDM and hot-air welded single-ply membranes are a standard choice for shops, offices, industrial units and schools, because large areas can be covered quickly with very few joints. We handle commercial flat roofs across Staffordshire alongside our domestic work, from small shop roofs to bigger industrial units. If you manage a building with a tired flat roof, call 07479 664747 or email info@abbottsflatroofing.co.uk for a no-obligation survey and quote.
Need single-ply & EPDM membrane sorted?
Tell us about your roof and we will give you honest advice and a free written quote, anywhere across Staffordshire, Cheshire and Derbyshire.