EPDM Rubber Roofing

In some of my past blog post I have written about how the RV Industry had changed the roofing membrane they were using on new RV roofs. For the last thirty years the RV industry were using an EPDM rubber roofing membrane to cover their roofs. It was originally .045 mil thick. This was the standard for most manufactures for most of these years. However the manufactures wanted a cheaper product so they put pressure on the suppliers for better prices. So Carlisle roofing systems and others started making their membrane .038 mils thick. This membrane also performed well and was used until the last five years. The EPDM rubber membrane has been a proven roof for over forty years. So the question why would the manufactures change the roofs they are putting on their new RVs when what they were using worked so well. I will give you the answer even though you already know. MONEY!!!!!! Yes believe it or not MONEY!!!!. They will tell you that this new product is just as good as the EPDM membrane even though it is only .024 mill thick in most cases. Well I have been working in this industry for over thirty years and I can tell you that is a bunch of hog wash. Consumers are being sold new RVs that cost upwards of $100.000 that have these cheap roofs on them and many are failing within two years. I have personally tested many of these TPO .024 mill roofs and I can tell you, if you were able to conduct a couple of test yourself you would not buy an RV with this kind of roof on it. This .024 Mil thick TPO roofing membrane is usually has an textured surface so if you look at it under a microscope it is actually thinner. I am writing this article because recently I have had several people that live in my area come to me complaining about the quality of their new RVs and especially the roof. They are looking for answers and are having a hard time getting their warrantee repairs don. Their many people who live in their RVs so they would have a difficult time having repairs or a new roof put on their RV. So what is the answer, I am not sure but I will tell you their are many more people out there with RV problems. Be sure before you buy a new RV you get a written roof warrantee and know for how long it will be covered With all my experience in the roofing industry and research and developments lab I would never buy a new RV with a roofing membrane That's only .024 mill thick or less. If you have had problems your rv roofs or other things post it let people know.