The cost to install a rubber roof can vary greatly, depending on your region, how many stories your house is, and the slope, size, and pitch of your roof. The national average for rubber roofing installation is typically between $7,000-$15,000 for an average-sized, single story, flat-roofed house. When getting an estimate for a professional rubber roofing installation, be sure to get the cost per square foot for materials and the labor costs, which should be about $80-$100 per hour on top of materials.
Rubber roofs, also known as EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) rubber roofing, have many advantages. It’s very lightweight, so the roof foundation doesn't usually require reinforcement. Also, leaks are usually rare because there are few seams, and if there are leaks, they’re quick, easy, and inexpensive to repair. A good quality EPDM roof can last up to 20 years or more.
EDPM is well-suited for low-slope roofs, which is why it’s a popular roofing material for commercial buildings, carports, patio roofs, and roof decks. One of the advantages of a rubber roof is its cost. While costs can vary between regions and installers, the cost of an EPDM roof is generally less expensive than most other types of roofing. The trade off is that EPDM isn’t as attractive and doesn’t lend the same curb appeal as other roofing materials, such as shingles or tile.
Rubber roofs or EPDM roofs can last 20 years or more, and some roofs can last up to 50 years depending on the climate. EPDM isn’t affected by UV light, and can withstand high winds and hail up to three inches in diameter. In fact, many rubber roofs installed when EPDM first came to market in the 1970s are still in use today.
Rubber shingles or rolls are much more durable and less likely to crack during extreme weather conditions than other types of roofing materials. They’re especially suited for flat or low-pitched roofs on garages, carports, roof decks, and commercial buildings.
Rubber roofs are also relatively inexpensive to install and maintain and rarely leak or fail. They also can last up to 20 years or more.