50-YEAR TRACK RECORD IN MINNESOTA WINTERS
EPDM RUBBER ROOFING
EPDM has been the proven flat-roof membrane in cold climates for over 50 years. Synthetic rubber that handles freeze-thaw cycles, snow load, and UV exposure with a 25 to 40 year service life.
EPDM: Minnesota's Proven Flat-Roof Membrane
Ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber has been on commercial flat roofs in Minnesota since the 1960s. That 50-plus year track record in freeze-thaw climates is the most honest product endorsement available. Buildings that had EPDM installed correctly decades ago are still under the same membrane.
Why Cold Climates Favor EPDM
Most roofing membrane failures in Minnesota happen at temperature extremes. Materials that are rigid at low temperatures crack. Materials with adhesive seams separate when the substrate moves through freeze-thaw cycles. EPDM is a flexible rubber that stays pliable at below-zero temperatures and moves with the building. Its seams are spliced with bonding adhesive or tape systems that are designed for the same thermal movement.
Black Surface in Minnesota Winters
TPO's reflective white surface is marketed as an energy advantage. In a southern climate, that is accurate. In Minnesota, the math is different. EPDM's black surface absorbs solar radiation in winter, contributing to rooftop heat gain during a season where heating loads are the dominant cost. For many Twin Cities buildings, that winter heat absorption offsets any summer cooling penalty.
Altus EPDM Work in the Twin Cities
David installs EPDM on warehouses, industrial buildings, office complexes, and retail centers across the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro. Written scope before work starts. Owner on site throughout the install. Written workmanship warranty on completion. Call (612) 749-6778 to schedule a free roof assessment.
WHY ALTUS
WHY ALTUS FOR
EPDM RUBBER ROOFING
EPDM has a 50-plus year field history in cold climates like Minnesota, which means its performance through freeze-thaw cycles is documented across decades of real buildings.
The black rubber surface absorbs solar heat in winter, which helps reduce heating loads in Minnesota's long cold season without any additional energy system.
EPDM membranes are highly resistant to UV radiation, ozone, and weathering, three factors that accelerate aging on rooftop membranes exposed to harsh Twin Cities climate swings.
A correctly installed EPDM roof carries a 25 to 40 year service life, making it one of the longest-lasting single-ply options available for commercial flat-roof work.
SCOPE OF WORK
WHAT'S INCLUDED
THE PROCESS
HOW IT WORKS
Simple, transparent, owner-managed from the first call to the final handshake.
David inspects the existing roof, checks drainage patterns, and measures the full area before writing a single number.
You receive a clear written scope: EPDM thickness, insulation spec, attachment method, manufacturer brand, and total cost.
Old membrane removed. Deck checked for moisture damage or soft spots. Any structural repairs completed before new material goes down.
Membrane laid and bonded to spec. Seams spliced with manufacturer-approved adhesive. All transitions and penetrations detailed correctly.
David walks the completed roof, confirms all details, and provides written workmanship warranty. Manufacturer warranty documentation handed to the owner.
QUESTIONS
COMMON QUESTIONS
Very well. EPDM was developed for cold climates and has a 50-plus year field record in freeze-thaw conditions similar to or worse than Minnesota. The rubber membrane stays flexible at low temperatures, which is where rigid materials crack or delaminate. It is one of the reasons EPDM remains a standard choice for commercial buildings in the upper Midwest.
EPDM is generally comparable in price to TPO at the material level. Installed cost depends on roof size, insulation requirements, and attachment method. David will give you an honest side-by-side comparison after walking your roof. There is no financial incentive for us to push one product over another.
25 to 40 years with correct installation and routine maintenance. The biggest variable is seam quality and how well flashings are detailed at penetrations and parapets. David installs to manufacturer specification on every job.
Yes. EPDM is one of the more repairable flat-roof membranes. Punctures, seam separations, and localized damage can often be patched or re-spliced without replacing the full membrane. Altus handles both new EPDM installs and repairs to existing rubber roofs across the Twin Cities.
EXPLORE MORE
YOU MAY ALSO NEED
READY TO START?
GET YOUR FREE ROOF INSPECTION TODAY
Tell us about your roof. We will document it, walk you through the options, and give you a written estimate the same week.
