Last reviewed October 31, 2026.
You climb the ladder to clear leaves off the garage. The black roof gives underfoot like an old inner tube, and one corner has peeled back where it meets the house. That is an EPDM rubber roof. Now you need to know if it wants a patch or a whole new sheet.
The flat roof page stacks rubber against the other membranes and shows what County Roofing Systems and Greene Group charge for a residential flat roof. This page sticks to rubber.
Where a rubber roof ends up on a house
Roofing Time Inc. in Bellport says EPDM is best for residential flat extensions, porches and small commercial buildings. Keenridge Construction in Bay Shore goes further, calling it the most popular flat roofing choice for residential flat roofs.
L.I. Taylor Construction in Selden makes the case for small roofs. Over an addition or a garage, it says, EPDM is hard to beat, because one sheet can often cover the whole roof with almost no seams.
The stuff also bends with the house. Elevate says its RubberGard EPDM stretches more than 300 percent, so it can shift as the building does, and stays pliable enough for detail work in cold weather under 40°F.
Rubber sheet thickness, 45 to 90 mil
Roofers measure rubber in mils, thousandths of an inch. Carlisle’s data sheet for its Sure-Seal dusted EPDM lists 45 and 60 mil, in sheets up to 50 feet wide and 200 feet long. Elevate makes RubberGard in 45, 60 and 90 mil plus a 75 mil reinforced version. It calls the 90 mil Platinum membrane its thickest, with the longest expected life cycle.
Keenridge installs all its EPDM at 60 mil and calls that thickness the most popular and cost-effective option. We did not find a Long Island roofer publishing separate prices for 45, 60 and 90 mil. So ask for the thickness in writing on the quote.
How rubber roof seams are taped
EPDM sheets are joined with tape and adhesive, not heat. Roofing Time cleans and primes every seam, then seals it with 3-inch seam tape and lap sealant. NYC Renovators, which runs a Valley Stream office, says EPDM seams generally use primers, tapes, adhesives and compatible flashing products.
Elevate also ships sheets with its QuickSeam tape already applied at the factory, in 3-inch and 6-inch widths, and says pre-taping cuts labor compared with taping in the field.
Seams and wall flashing are where flat roofs usually leak, and the flat roof page explains why. What a seam repair costs is in the roof repair cost guide.
Black or white EPDM
Elevate sells RubberGard in black or white, and you feel the choice in the rooms below every summer. NYC Renovators says black EPDM absorbs more summer heat, so insulation and upper-floor comfort belong in the decision.
White costs more. Keenridge says white EPDM is slightly more expensive, and Elevate sells its white EcoWhite membrane in 60 and 90 mil. If a reflective surface is the main goal, a TPO roof is the other common choice.
How long Long Island roofers say EPDM lasts
Ask four roofers and you get four answers:
| Company | Lifespan claim |
|---|---|
| Roofing Time Inc., Bellport | 25 to 30 or more years when installed correctly |
| L.I. Taylor Construction, Selden | twenty to thirty years with proper drainage |
| Iconic Builders Group | 30 or more years |
| Expressway Roofing and Chimney, Manorville | up to 50 years with proper care |
Elevate, the manufacturer, says its membrane has up to 45 years of proven service life.
Read the high end with care. Every figure above comes from a company that sells or installs the roof. NYC Renovators adds that a well-maintained EPDM roof can outlast a neglected TPO roof of the same age, and L.I. Taylor ties its own figure to drainage that works.
Rubber roof warranties and commercial prices
Manufacturer warranties on EPDM are written mainly for commercial systems. Elevate advertises 30-year warranties on adhered RubberGard, with conditions. Its 90 mil Platinum system carries a 30-year limited warranty, with add-on coverage for punctures, hail up to 2 inches across and 100 mph winds on qualifying systems.
So ask the roofer straight out: does your garage or extension qualify for a manufacturer warranty, or only the company’s own workmanship guarantee? Get the answer in writing.
On bigger roofs, North Shore Roofing in Port Washington put EPDM at $5.50 to $8.50 a square foot installed in its July 2026 commercial cost guide, calling it often the most economical upfront choice. More Long Island commercial prices and the warranty fine print for big buildings are on the commercial roofing page. If the rubber is sound but aging, a roof coating may buy time.
