Can You Walk On Rubber Roofing?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Yes to an extent

. EPDM is designed to take LIGHT foot traffic during installation and for occasional cleaning or maintenance. If you require more use than this, i.e. for a balcony then there are additional materials that can be laid over your EPDM for a more durable solution.

Can you put furniture on a rubber roof?


Outdoor rubber tiles and mats

are tough enough to withstand weather, patio furniture and foot traffic. They are also thick enough to protect any underlying roofing membrane from damage.

Can I walk on EPDM roofing?

Can I walk on a RubberCover EPDM roof?

The roof can be accessed for periodical maintenance

. In case of regular roof traffic, the membrane must be protected with pavers.

What roofing material can you walk on?

Flat Roof Surfaces You Can Walk On

Whether its

BUR (Built-up Roofing)

, TPO (Thermoplastic polyolefin), Modified Bitumen, or Single Ply Roofing, your roofing professional can apply the right waterproofing membrane to make it possible to walk on.

How do you walk on a flat roof safely?


Wear soft shoes

, or even better walk pads which will distribute your weight, and keep as much as possible to flat areas or valleys. If you have to step on the pitched sections, tread on the places where the tiles overlap and try to keep the weight distributed evenly between your feet.

How expensive is a rubber roof?

Rubber Roof Type Cost per Sq. ft Cost per Square
TPO


$1.00 – $5.55


$100 – $555

Are rubber roofs any good?

Rubber roofing is

suitable for extreme conditions

, giving you one of the most durable and reliable roofs available that typically lasts between 30-50 years. In time, you may find a felt flat roof can pick up moss and algae; the synthetic rubber doesn’t support the growth of moss so you are guaranteed a clear roof!

Does EPDM have to be glued down?

When you are fitting an EPDM roof, you need to make sure that it

is glued down properly

. During the membrane application process, you will need to apply two different types of adhesive. The first is a water-based adhesive. Use Permaroof deck adhesive for the best results.

How strong is EPDM rubber?

EPDM rubber can

withstand harsh temperatures

. It has been tested at both extremely high and low temperatures and handles very well, compared to alternative roofing materials. This makes it suitable for all-year-round protection.

Can EPDM be installed directly on plywood?

You can install EPDM membrane over an existing roof only if

a new layer of 5/8′′ plywood

, 5/8′′ OSB board or polyisocyanurate board with a fiberglass backing is used as a barrier to protect the EPDM.

What’s the best flat roof system?


EPDM Membranes

Quite possibly the best flat roofing membrane, EPDM is a relatively low-cost flat roof material that offers a number of significant advantages. Clean, straightforward installation, incredible strength, a long lifespan, and a smart finish combine to make EPDM membranes a difficult one to beat.

Can you damage a flat roof by walking on it?

The majority of

flat roofs are not built to withstand the pressure of being walked on

, and doing so may cause weakness over time – not only making it a health hazard, but also putting your investment at risk.

Can roofs be flat?


Flat roofing is not actually flat

; it has a very low slope—between 1/4 to 1/2 inch per foot—so that it drains water. But such a low slope holds snow and water much longer than a steeply pitched roof and therefore needs a very different material to stay watertight.

Will a flat roof take my weight?

In most locations, the minimum requirement for flat roofs is to support a

concentrated weight of 100 pounds per square foot

. New homeowners with flat roofs are often unaware of the risks associated with having one.

Can you sit on roofs?

First, most home roofs

just aren’t designed for walking or sitting

on. While your roof is designed to withstand a wide variety of abuse and damage, the simple act of walking or sitting on a roof creates a hazard that the roof isn’t necessary made to withstand.

How do you strengthen a flat roof?

A flat roof can be strengthened either by

reducing the span of beams that supports it

, or by adding beams to reinforce the structure. Reinforcing existing beams is usually the most practical solution in residential construction.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.