EPDM rubber is a type of synthetic rubber. It is extremely durable and flexible and therefore has a wide range of applications, including in vehicles (where it is used for window and door seals, as well as cooling system hoses), cold-rooms, non-slip coatings for decks and playgrounds and many others besides. In simple terms, pure rubber becomes brittle with temperature variable, wherein synthetic rubber (EPDM) remain flexible and withstand temperature variations for decades.

The use of EPDM in roofing is what we will be exploring in this feature. This particular material lends itself incredibly well to roofing systems due to its unique combination of material properties. We will expand on this in this article and also in our Why Use EPDM? guide (coming soon).

EPDM is a copolymer with elastomeric properties, which means it is a polymer which is both viscous and elastic. If stretched, it will return to its original shape. Its two main components (ethylene and propylene) are both derived from oil and natural gas.