Predicting EPDM Membrane Service Life Study

About the Study

The EPDM Roofing Association (ERA) is conducting a pilot study to better understand the long-term performance characteristics of EPDM roof membranes and use accelerated aging and weathering techniques to help estimate their residual service life. The study will evaluate EPDM membrane samples that have naturally aged in real-world rooftop conditions for 20 years or more.

Collected samples will first undergo laboratory testing in their as-collected, site-aged condition. Portions of the same samples will then be subjected to accelerated heat aging and Xenon-arc weathering, followed by additional testing. The results will be compared with the properties of the naturally aged membrane to provide insight into how EPDM membranes perform after extended service and how they may perform in the future.

Samples will be collected from qualifying commercial roofing projects across North America and submitted to designated testing laboratory. Those interested in serving as a Collection Point Person (CPP) for this study must complete the ERA In Situ Study Interest Form by September 30, 2026. If a proposed roof advances through the initial qualification process, the CPP will be asked to provide additional information, photographs, and a roof plan via form submission by October 23, 2026.

Who Can Participate?

ERA is seeking participation from professionals involved in EPDM commercial roofing projects, including (but not limited to) roofing contractors, roof consultants, building owners, manufacturers’ technical representatives, and manufacturers’ sales teams.

Participants will serve as the Collection Point Person (CPP), coordinating the sampling process with the building owner and applicable project managers and contractors. The CPP may identify a qualifying roof and may also designate another individual within or outside their organization to fulfill the CPP role.

Each CPP whose qualifying sample is accepted for participation in the study will receive an honorarium of $2,000. Samples must be collected by December 5, 2026.

Not sure whether a roof qualifies? That’s okay. You don’t need to confirm every detail before reaching out. Submit an interest form with the basic information you have, and an ERA representative will follow up to review the project with you.

Submit an interest form

How the Submission Process Works

Step 1: Submit Your Interest

Complete the ERA In Situ Study Interest Form if you know of a potential qualifying EPDM roof and wish to serve as a Collection Point Person for this study. The interest form must be submitted by September 30, 2026.

After receiving your inquiry, an ERA representative will contact you to discuss the proposed roof, review the study requirements, answer questions, and determine whether the roof appears to be a potential candidate. If ERA and the CPP agree to continue the qualification process, the CPP will submit additional information, photographs, and a roof plan through an additional form, which must be returned to ERA by October 23, 2026.

submit an interest form

Step 2: Preliminary Qualification

ERA will work with the CPP to confirm that the proposed roof meets the study’s basic eligibility requirements, including membrane type, approximate service age, roof system type, and whether the roof remains in service or is scheduled for removal.

The study is seeking the oldest available qualifying membranes, with a minimum service age of 20 years. Samples may be collected from roofs that remain in service or from roofs scheduled for removal as part of a roof replacement project.

Step 3: Site Evaluation

ERA will review the proposed sampling locations to ensure they meet the study requirements. Samples must be collected from representative areas in the field of the roof and should not span seams or include flashing materials.

Sampling areas should not be heavily shaded and should receive an average of at least eight hours of sunlight, including cloud-filtered sunlight, per day throughout the year. The presence of reflective surfaces near the sampling area must also be documented.

Step 4: Sample Collection

Membrane samples will be collected according to the study protocol. Samples must consist only of membrane and must be free of adhesive, cover board, facer, insulation, and other substrate materials. Samples should be collected from the field of the roof and must not include seams or flashing materials.

Step 5: Documentation

Supporting documentation will be required with the sample submission, including the job name or project identification, sample labels, machine direction marked on each sample, a roof plan or site sketch showing sampling areas, and photographs documenting each sampling area and its surrounding conditions.

Photographs should capture the sampling location and relevant surrounding features, including adjacent buildings, trees, reflective surfaces, and other conditions that may affect exposure.

Detailed instructions on the sample collection, documentation, and submission will be provided at a later date to approved submissions.

Step 6: Review and Acceptance

ERA staff and the ERA Technical Committee will review the information submitted through the qualification process to determine whether the proposed roof should be approved as a sampling site. If approved, ERA will notify the CPP who will then coordinate the sampling plan and collection date. ERA will provide a study collection kit containing collection instructions, labeled sample bags, and building owner release forms.

Following collection, samples will be sent to the ERA office, where they will be received and stored in a climate-controlled environment, de-identified, and prepared for shipment to the designated testing laboratory.

Submission Guidelines

Submissions will be accepted only if they meet the following core criteria:

Membrane requirements:

Roof membrane must be unreinforced EPDM.
Samples must be black EPDM with a nominal thickness of 45 mil or greater.
Samples must come from roofs with a minimum service age of 20 years.
Samples may be collected from roofs that remain in service or from roofs scheduled for removal. Samples must not be collected from membrane that has already been removed from the roof.
Samples must be collected from one of the following roof system types: mechanically attached roof systems pressure-equalized roof systems, adhered roof systems, ballasted roof systems
Membrane samples must be free of adhesive, cover board, facer, insulation, and other substrate materials. Only membrane should be collected.

Collection requirements:

Samples should be taken from the field of the roof and should not include flashing materials or seams.
Samples should not be collected from heavily shaded areas, including areas immediately north of tree lines, adjacent buildings, tall parapets, large equipment, or similar obstructions.
The sampled roof area should receive an average of at least eight hours of sunlight, including cloud-filtered sunlight, per day throughout the year.
Areas near reflective surfaces, such as glass façades, metallic or light-colored rising walls, and high parapets, may be eligible for testing but must be documented during sample collection. The type, orientation, and proximity of the reflective surface should be recorded.

Documentation requirements:

Within your submission, please include the following documentation:

Job name or project identification
Sample labels
Machine direction marked on each sample
Roof plan, Google Maps image, or site sketch showing sampling areas
Photos of each sampling area showing the cuts and surrounding context, including perimeter, adjacent buildings, reflective surfaces, trees, and similar conditions