WHAT ARE THE AVAILABLE THICKNESSES AND TYPES OF EPDM SINGLE-PLY MEMBRANE?

June 3, 2018

EPDM membrane is manufactured in various thicknesses (.045″ to .090″ thick) and is available as a non-reinforced or reinforced sheet (depending upon application). Other thicknesses are also available for use in non-roofing applications as a special order.

Reinforced membranes contain an internal fabric that is completely encapsulated within the EPDM membrane sheet and is available in various thicknesses (.045″ to .075″). Occasionally, a fleece layer can be added to the underside of the sheet that serves as a built-in underlayment for direct re-roof applications over certain types of existing roofing material.

EPDM is also manufactured as vulcanized (cured) or non-vulcanized (uncured) membrane. Vulcanized membranes have set physical properties due to the vulcanization process and exhibit consistent behavior throughout the sheet that allow the membrane to have memory – this means when the membrane is stretched, it will return to its original state. On the other hand, non-vulcanized EPDM does not have set physical properties because it is not cured when manufactured. This makes the uncured material ideal for use as flashing where the material can be stretched, formed, and shaped.