Elevate RubberGard Frequently Asked Questions
Please browse the Elevate RubberGard Frequently Asked Questions. If you need additional information please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be pleased to help.
Please browse the Elevate RubberGard Frequently Asked Questions. If you need additional information please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be pleased to help.
Elevate RubberGard EPDM is a 100% cured single-ply roofing membrane made of a synthetic rubber Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Terpolymer. Since the installation of our first EPDM roof in 1980, more than 1.500.000.000 m² of RubberGard EPDM membranes have been successfully installed worldwide, from Alaska to the Arabian Gulf.
Elevate RubberGard EPDM membranes offer unmatched resistance to UV radiation, ozone, alkaline rains, and both high and low temperatures. As the membrane does not contain any volatile ingredients or products that may migrate over time, its characteristics remain stable and unchanged over time. Studies show a life expectancy for EPDM membranes of more than 50 years, even when exposed to sunlight. On top of its exceptional service-life, it is easy to repair, even several decades after its installation. Thus, its lifespan can be extended to even more than 50 years.
Top quality, versatility, freedom of design, and sustainability are Elevate’s RubberGard EPDM key benefits. RubberGard EPDM is a flexible membrane and keeps this flexibility even at low temperatures (-45°C). It has excellent lay-flat characteristics and adapts and conforms to irregular shapes very quickly. It follows the geometry of the supports and accepts their various expansions or retractions due to climatic variations without ever saturating or breaking. For both new constructions and renovations, the RubberGard EPDM membrane can be installed directly on most substrates, with or without insulation.
On top of that, there are various application methods. It can be either fully adhered, or mechanically fixed, or loosely laid – ballasted depending on the project needs. RubberGard EPDM membrane can be combined with extensive green roofs, solar installations, and/or blue roofs, together with excellent durability and longevity.
The most sustainable roof is a durable roof which uses the least amount of natural resources. Greenpeace, GreenTeam, and NIBE put forward EPDM as the roofing membrane with the least environmental impact. All in all, choosing RubberGard EPDM is an easy way towards making significant contribution to the reduction of CO2 emissions. It offers a durable, long-term, roofing solution that helps promote efficient and sustainable building practices.
Elevate RubberGard EPDM is an inert material with low environmental impact. No toxic substances are released during and after installation of the membrane, allowing collection and use of run-off rainwater for domestic use (e.g. for washing machines, flushing toilets etc). It can also be recycled and re-used. In addition, Elevate’s EPDM manufacturing facilities have received ISO 14001 certification, a testimony of the company’s commitment to environmental management. Moreover, Elevate offers Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies and product-specific EPDs, which provide full transparency of the material’s environmental impact, with “cradle-to-grave” analysis.
Elevate RubberGard EPDM is a single world-champion! No matter for which location, or climate, RubberGard EPDM is made using the same base formulation and installed all over the world. The same RubberGard EPDM membrane is applied in ice-cold Alaska and the extremely hot Arabian gulf. Due to its stable chemical composition and fully cured state, the Elevate RubberGard EPDM membrane is considered chemically inert and constant over time.
Lightweight construction is becoming a new trend in the market, and RubberGard EPDM fully supports such applications. Compared to other traditional waterproofing materials that come in multi-layers, RubberGard EPDM is a single-ply, thin, and lightweight membrane.
Elevate RubberGard EPDM is easy to install. It is available in large seamless sheets up to 15.25 m wide and 61 m long (930 m²), resulting in fewer field seams for large surfaces and short installation times (typically 6.10 x 30.5 m panels used). Additionally, Elevate’s QuickSeam Tape technology provides a proven field seaming solution without requiring special tools.
Unlike other waterproofing membranes, the Elevate RubberGard EPDM membrane does not require flames or hot-air welding. The details on roofs are executed with primers and self-adhesive products. The risk of fire during work is minimized.
The RubberGard™ EPDM roofing membrane can only be installed by licensed roofing contractors, trained and authorised by Elevate. The company offers a variety of educational programs at training facilities spread across Europe and Asia. The objective of these training programs is to educate and familiarize roofing contractors with all aspects of EPDM roofing system installations, from beginner to advanced level. For more information please contact the PermaRoof Commercial team.
The repairability of the membrane after decades of use renders the system more durable and reduces the environmental impact. Given the inert nature of the Elevate RubberGard EPDM membrane, its composition is stable over time. For this reason, the membrane can still be repaired, using Elevate accessories, many years after its installation and its exposure to climatic agents. The repairs are quick and easy to carry out. Moreover, repairs can be performed with everyday tools, and there is no need for electrical power or advanced and expensive equipment.
The most popular and durable version of RubberGard EPDM is manufactured as a homogenous black EPDM rubber sheet. Any coloured acrylic coating can be applied over RubberGard™ EPDM, whether new or existing membrane, for aesthetic reasons without decreasing the lifespan of the membrane. Several acrylic coatings are available on the market and can be applied directly to the EPDM surface.
RubberGard EPDM is the best roofing solution for renovations. Unlike other roofing membranes where there are limitations with compatibility, applicability, and product weight, RubberGard EPDM can be applied on top of all existing roofing systems, whether it is a bituminous roof (with several layers) or a single-ply membrane.
Installing solar panels on roofs is a green initiative that contributes to the sustainability of the building and its value while in parallel improves its energy efficiency. The investment horizon is typically based on 20 to 25 years of financial projection. Thus, the roofing system must be able to support the installation of the solar panels for at least that period, to maximize returns.
Solar panels generate additional heat, which typically leads to faster heat aging of the membrane underneath. RubberGard EPDM has outstanding resistance to aging and has proven its excellent performance under solar panels. Its exceptional durability renders it an effective match that lasts significantly longer than the investment horizon of PV systems.
In the case of green roofs, resistance to root penetration, and robustness to cope with roof traffic associated with maintenance is crucial. Elevate RubberGard EPDM is an ideal product for a green or living roof. The Elevate RubberGard EPDM membrane has successfully passed various tests of root resistance (DIN 4062, CEN/TS 14416: 2005, EN 13948, FLL). For more details about design and installation requirements, please contact PermaRoof or Elevate Technical Services.
Thanks to its highly stable chemical composition, Elevate RubberGard EPDM membrane is chemically inert, non-toxic, and has no carcinogenic ingredients. Thus, the water quality upon contact with RubberGard EPDM membrane is compliant with environmental standards for surface water and has zero abnormal bacterial presence. It is, therefore, possible to recycle the collected water for use as domestic water (e.g. for washing machines, flushing toilets etc). Rainwater attenuation as a part of a Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDS) strategy can be managed through a blue roof. For this type of system to be effective, and enable slow release of built-up rainwater, the roofing membrane has to be inert, in addition to having an outstanding waterproofing quality. This makes EPDM popular in blue roofing and rainwater harvesting systems.
Elevate is a leading BREEAM & LEED advocate and is pleased to offer RubberGard EPDM, which helps achieve both program’s highest ratings. Elevate RubberGard EPDM roofing systems play a key role in the Green Building Rating Systems that promote responsible design and sustainable construction. For an overview of the standards set by both BREEAM & LEED and how RubberGard EPDM can minimize your environmental impact and maximize building value, you may contact our environmental experts, or consult our BREEAM / LEED guide books.
Elevate’s commitments for the environment could not exclude the care for the end-of-life roofs. Elevate RubberGard EPDM can be recycled, and there are several possibilities, such as chemical and mechanical recycling, pyrolysis, and devulcanization. According to the EPDM Roofing Association (ERA), EPDM is the leading recycled commercial roofing product in North America. However, due to the long service life of RubberGard EPDM (> 50 years), the volumes of end-of-life membranes are currently negligible.
The Elevate RubberGard EPDM membrane is Factory Mutual (FM), and UL approved. Thousands of RubberGard EPDM assemblies/ roofing systems have been tested and approved as per FM guidelines. Extended information on all the Elevate FM Approved roofing products assemblies can be found in https://roofnav.com
Elevate RubberGard EPDM membrane has obtained the CE marking, proving that it meets current European requirements in the field of safety, health, environment, and consumer protection. Moreover, to deliver a quality product, our EPDM manufacturing facilities follow stringent quality control guidelines. From raw material selection to finished product testing, our EPDM roofing production sites have been certified according to ISO 9001 for their quality management system and to ISO 14001 for their environmental management system.
Elevate RubberGard EPDM waterproofing systems have been tested and certified by numerous national and international bodies. The RubberGard membrane has the following approvals: ATG, DTA, CCT, DIT, BBA, Komo, FM, etc. Please contact the Elevate Codes & Approvals Department when looking for a specific classification or rating.
Download RubberGard™ EPDM Single-Ply Roofing System Quick Specs
RubberGard Brochure
Modular Roofing Brochure
Ballasted System
Ballasted System (Terrace)
Fully Adhered System (FAS)
Fully Adhered System with Extensive Green Roof
Inverted Roof System
Mechanically Attached System (RMA)
Photovoltaic Roof
More Information About Elevate RubberGard EPDM
Elevate CPD Seminar
In partnership with Holcim Elevate, PermaRoofUK Commercial has developed a manufacturer-approved CPD Seminar. Held weekly online, this CPD Seminar is ideal for Surveyors, Architects and Specifiers.
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Features & Benefits
The features and benefits of installing Elevate RubberGard membrane in your commercial roofing projects. 50-year service life expectancy and high performance throughout this exceptional lifespan.
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Technical Specifications
Download Elevate RubberGard resources and find all the technical information you need. Quick reference tech specs for a range of applications, including flat and green roofing, ballasted and more.
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Case Studies
Read or download the Elevate RubberGard case studies to find out more about the applications of this high performance, durable EPDM membrane for the commercial sector. Proven reliability for the long term.