Roofing with Resilience: A Review of 30-Year EPDM Enhancements

The history of EPDM roofing runs deep. With decades on the market, Versico's EPDM has a proven track record as one of the most resilient membranes in the single-ply roofing industry today.

As time goes on and the construction industry evolves, more sustainable structures are becoming the norm. Building codes are increasingly robust and are placing a greater emphasis on protecting your building from Mother Nature’s wrath. Your roof system plays a huge part in achieving compliance and serves as the first line of defense against hail, wind, and other damaging elements. This is where EPDM’s sustainability and durability come into to play. Sustainability and resiliency are some of the strongest attributes of Versico’s EPDM membranes, and EPDM’s durability allows us to offer a high-end, 30-year Total System Warranty that guarantees long-term performance. Below are the enhancements that Versico requires when upgrading to a 30-year EPDM system:

30-Year EPDM Enhancements

The Membrane: The thicker and more durable 90-mil non-reinforced EPDM and 75-mil reinforced EPDM are required; fully adhered, mechanically fastened, or ballasted designs are available. The thicker membranes will provide greater long-term performance and superior resistance to weathering. Please note, 45-mil and 60-mil membranes are not eligible for 30-year Total System Warranties.

The Splices: Membrane splices are one of most important parts of any roofing system and utilizing our Quick-Applied Tape means more watertight seams and fewer warranty claims. On a 30-year EPDM system, Versico requires membrane with 6”-wide Quick-Applied Tape or 6” Quick-Applied Seam Tape to be installed at all seams and end laps. The 6”-wide tape has greater peel and sheer strength and results in a stronger bond. Please note, 3” factory-applied or hand-applied tape on 30-year warranties must be stripped in with Quick-Applied Cured Coverstrip.

The Flashing Details: In addition to seams, flashing details are critical to preventing issues where rooftop penetrations are tied in to the field membrane. On 30-year EPDM systems, Versico requires specific details to be double-wrapped or covered with two layers of flashing. Below is a list of these details:

Key
U = Universal (applies to all 30-year systems)
A = Adhered Systems Only
B = Ballasted Systems Only
MF = Mechanically Fastened Systems Only 

VGC-2.4 QA Seam Tape Splice Intersection (25/30 Year Warranties)
VGC-8.1B Pre-Molded Quick-Applied Pipe Seal with 90-mil Membrane or 25/30 Year Warranties
VGC-8.3 Field-Fabricated Pipe/Structural Steel Tube Flashing for 25/30 Year Warranties
VGC-15.4B Inside Corner Flashing for Projects with 90-mil Membrane or 25/30 Year Warranties
VGC-15.8 Outside Corner Flashing for Projects with 90-mil Membrane or 25/30 Year Warranties
VGA-2 EPDM Membrane Splices (25/30 Year Warranties)
VGB-2.1 Membrane Splice (25/30 Year Warranties)
VGMA-2.4 Membrane Splice (25/30 Year Warranties)
VGMA-2.5 QA Seam Tape Splice Intersection (25/30 Year Warranties)