Q: With TPO growing so quickly, we need to remind our readers about the benefits of EPDM. Can you discuss a few?

Baumann

Baumann: EPDM offers building owners the roofing industry's longest average service life and has more than 40 years of field performance, representing more than 20 billion square feet installed. EPDM features superior fatigue, heat, and hail resistance, as well as high resistance to ozone, weathering, abrasion, and wind. Its flexibility in low temperatures and thermal shock durability make for an ideal roofing system in all climates. White-on-black EPDM offers a cool roof solution for hot climates, or black EPDM can be field-coated with white elastomeric acrylic coatings.

Jannasch

Jannasch: The benefits include long-term performance, sustainability, and low life-cycle costs. With landfills seeing as much as 75 percent of content being construction material, it is imperative that we reduce this number, and using EPDM can help. EPDM is easy to refurbish or "tune-up," thus extending its life. With a good maintenance program, periodic tune-ups, and the possible addition of an acrylic coating, EPDM can last well past its expected life. The SKZ group in Germany has conducted a study on EPDM and found that its expected life is between 50 and 75 years.

Long

Long: EPDM continues to lead the nation in market share for single-ply applications. With 45 years of proven field performance, ballasted, mechanically fastened, and fully adhered EPDM roof systems remain the most popular options for low-slope commercial roofing applications. More than 10 billion square feet of EPDM membrane has been installed worldwide, proving that this membrane has established itself as a superior roofing solution for all climatic conditions. This is supported by various laboratory studies and actual field installations and an excellent track record that results from a unique set of physical characteristics: EPDM has superior resistance to UV (ultraviolet) radiation; EPDM has unmatched resistance to thermal shock; EPDM exhibits superior resistance to cyclic fatigue; EPDM has superior resistance to hail damage; EPDM will not become brittle and will not shatter due to low temperature flexibility.

Q: Where do you see the EPDM market strongest — retrofit or new construction?

Baumann: Retrofit is the strongest market for EPDM.

Jannasch: This depends on the building, warranty needs, etc. Ballasted EPDM systems are still the most economic roof system installed. Recent studies show that ballasted systems can be as cool as white roofs, thus making them the perfect option for big box new construction at the lowest cost.

Long: Retrofit and new construction represent significant opportunities for EPDM. As older roofs need to be replaced or recovered, EPDM offers an excellent option for sustainable roof assemblies. EPDM roofing membrane remained the leader in industry market share, according to the results of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) 2006-07 annual market survey. The association's survey found that EPDM claimed 27 percent of new construction,and 25 percent of re-roofing work. The survey also highlighted that 2007 sales found EPDM in first place, with 26.9 percent of new construction and 24.3 percent of re-roofing work.

Q: What are the latest EPDM innovations of interest to contractors?

Baumann: EPDM is a mature market segment without any unique innovations since the advent of seam tapes. Seam tapes continue to make EPDM easier for contractors to install. The tapes offer leak-free performance that contractors, architects, and building owners can count on.

Jannasch: Pre-taped panels, as well as white EPDM, are two of the biggest areas of innovation available to contractors. Stand-up tools for applying primer and rolling seams have helped contractors produce quality seams while doing it efficiently and ergonomically.

Long: The NRCA has identified a shortage in skilled labor as the No. 1 challenge facing roofing contractors for the foreseeable future. EDPM membranes with factory-applied tape and pressure-sensitive accessories represent the most significant opportunity to reduce the installed cost and improve the long-term performance of EPDM roof systems. The systems eliminate the requirement to invest in new equipment, retraining, and additional overhead.