Rubber Roof: The Complete UK Guide to EPDM Rubber Roofing (2026)
Last reviewed: 6 September 2026 by the Rubber Roof UK technical team.
A rubber roof is a flat or low-pitch roof covered with a single sheet of EPDM synthetic rubber membrane. The membrane is cut to the size of the roof, bonded to the deck with adhesive and finished at the edges with trims. It has a life expectancy of 50+ years, needs almost no maintenance, and is the covering most UK homeowners and roofers now choose for sheds, garages, extensions, garden rooms, porches and dormers.
Rubber roof at a glance
| Material | EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), a cured synthetic rubber |
|---|---|
| Thicknesses | 1.0mm (sheds and light-duty), 1.2mm (most domestic roofs), 1.5mm (heavy-duty, terraces, commercial) |
| Life expectancy | 50+ years |
| Guarantee | 20-year manufacturer membrane guarantee where fitted by an approved installer who has completed the manufacturer's training course. DIY installations are not covered by that guarantee. |
| Membrane price | From £21.12 per m² (1.0mm), £24.95 per m² (1.2mm) and £33.58 per m² (1.5mm), all including VAT, at September 2026 |
| Supplied | Cut to your size from 20 stock widths, supplied as one sheet with no on-site joining required |
| Fixing method | Cold-applied: water-based deck adhesive on the flat area, contact adhesive on upstands and edges. No heat, torch or hot works. |
| Suitable decks | OSB3, plywood, concrete, metal and existing GRP (with the correct primer or adhesive) |
| Certification | 1.2mm and 1.5mm membranes are BBA certified |
| Delivery | Free UK delivery on every order from Rubber Roof UK |
This guide covers what a rubber roof is, what it costs, how long it lasts, its pros and cons, how it is fitted, and how to choose the right membrane. If you already know your roof size, the rubber roof calculator gives you an itemised kit price in about a minute.
What is a rubber roof?
"Rubber roof" is the everyday name for an EPDM flat roof. EPDM is a synthetic rubber that was developed in the 1960s and has been used on flat roofs in the UK for several decades. It is made in large sheets, so a whole domestic roof can normally be covered with one piece of membrane rather than overlapping strips.
The membrane sits on top of a solid timber, concrete or metal deck and is glued down rather than nailed or torched. Because the rubber stays flexible for its whole life, it moves with the building through hot summers and freezing winters without cracking or splitting. Water runs off it to a gutter, drain outlet or drip edge in the same way as any other flat roof.
For a deeper explanation of the material itself, read What is EPDM rubber roofing?
Types of rubber roof membrane
All EPDM rubber roofs use the same material, but the membrane comes in different thicknesses and backings. Choosing the right one is mostly a question of roof size, foot traffic and budget.
| Membrane | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0mm EPDM | Sheds, summerhouses, bin stores and other small outbuildings | Lightest and cheapest. Cannot be seam-taped, so it suits roofs covered by a single sheet. |
| 1.2mm EPDM | Garages, extensions, garden rooms, porches, dormers | The standard choice for domestic flat roofs. BBA certified. Cut to size in 20 widths. |
| 1.5mm heavy-duty EPDM | Roof terraces, balconies, commercial roofs and roofs with regular foot traffic | Thicker and tougher. BBA certified. Tested to EN 13956 with a Broof(t4) fire classification. |
| Self-adhesive and fleece-backed EPDM | Awkward decks, insulation boards and roofs where a separate adhesive is impractical | See the full membrane range. |
Not sure which thickness you need? The EPDM thickness guide compares 1.0mm, 1.2mm and 1.5mm by roof type, traffic and lifespan.
How much does a rubber roof cost in the UK?
The membrane itself is priced per square metre. At Rubber Roof UK the current rates including VAT are £21.12 per m² for 1.0mm, £24.95 per m² for 1.2mm and £33.58 per m² for 1.5mm. On a typical 12 m² single garage roof, 1.2mm membrane therefore costs around £300 before adhesives, trims and the extra membrane needed to dress up walls and over edges.
A complete rubber roof kit adds the deck adhesive, contact adhesive, edge trims, corners, primer and flashing tape your roof needs. Because every roof is a different size and shape, the honest answer to "how much does a rubber roof cost?" is to price your own roof. The EPDM roof kit calculator asks for your roof dimensions and edge types and returns an itemised price with free UK delivery included.
If you are paying a roofer to fit the roof, labour is charged on top of the materials and varies by region and by how much preparation the deck needs. Our EPDM roofing cost guide works through the material costs in detail, and the DIY or professional? guide helps you decide whether to fit it yourself.
Ways to keep the cost down:
- Order the membrane cut to size rather than a full roll, so you only pay for the area you use.
- Use 1.0mm on small sheds where no one will walk on the roof.
- Choose edge trims that suit your roof rather than the most expensive profile. The trim fitting guide explains drip, kerb and wall trims.
- Measure carefully. Every kit at Rubber Roof UK is made to measure, so a good measurement means no waste.
How long does a rubber roof last?
EPDM rubber roofing has a life expectancy of 50 years or more. The material does not rely on a surface coating that wears away, and it is not affected by UV light, ozone or the freeze-thaw cycles that break down many other flat roof coverings. Roofs laid in the 1970s are still in service.
A 20-year manufacturer membrane guarantee is available where the roof is fitted by an approved installer who has completed the manufacturer's training course. A DIY installation is not covered by that guarantee, although the membrane itself is the same product with the same life expectancy.
The details that decide whether a rubber roof reaches its full life are the same on every roof: a sound, dry deck; a fall so water drains rather than ponds; correctly bonded upstands and corners; and trims that hold the edges down. Read How long does an EPDM roof last? for the factors that shorten or extend a roof's life.
Rubber roof pros and cons
Advantages of a rubber roof
- Long life. 50+ year life expectancy with very little maintenance.
- One sheet. Most domestic roofs are covered by a single piece of membrane, supplied as one sheet with no on-site joining required.
- Cold applied. No torch, no hot bitumen, no naked flame, so it is safe on timber buildings and suitable for DIY.
- Flexible. EPDM stretches and recovers, so it copes with building movement and temperature change without cracking.
- Lightweight. 1.2mm membrane weighs roughly 1.5 kg per m², so it can go on light timber structures such as sheds and garden rooms.
- Repairable. Damage can be patched with a piece of membrane, primer and tape.
- Recyclable and inert. EPDM does not leach into rainwater and is safe under rainwater harvesting and green roof systems.
Disadvantages of a rubber roof
- Appearance. The finished roof is matt black or dark grey. On a roof you look down on from upstairs windows that is fine for most people, but it is not a decorative finish.
- Preparation matters. The deck must be clean, dry and smooth. Bumps and old nail heads show through, and a damp deck will stop the adhesive bonding.
- Sharp objects. Like any single-ply membrane it can be punctured by dropped tools or heavy furniture legs. Use walkway pads on roofs that will be walked on.
- Wide roofs. The widest stock sheets are 12.20m and 15.24m, so very large roofs may need a factory join or on-site seam tape.
Which buildings suit a rubber roof?
Any roof that is flat or has a shallow pitch can be covered with EPDM. The most common projects in the UK are:
- Sheds and summerhouses. A rubber shed roof kit replaces felt that has torn or blown off, and is usually a one-person weekend job. See how to fit a rubber roof on a shed.
- Garages. A garage rubber roof kit covers flat concrete, timber or metal garage roofs. See how to re-roof a garage with EPDM.
- House extensions and orangeries. EPDM is laid over a warm-roof build-up of insulation and OSB. See EPDM for house extensions.
- Garden rooms and home offices. Lightweight, quiet in rain and compatible with living roofs.
- Porches, canopies, bay windows and dormers. Small roofs where a single sheet with pre-formed corners gives a neat finish.
- Gutter linings. EPDM also lines leaking concrete, Finlock and metal gutters. See how to line a gutter with EPDM.
Browse every rubber roof kit by building type, or build a made-to-measure kit for any shape of roof with the roof kit builder.
What is in a rubber roof kit?
A complete kit contains everything the roof needs apart from the deck itself:
- EPDM membrane cut to your roof size, including the extra needed for upstands and edge dressing
- Water-based deck adhesive for the flat area of the roof
- Contact adhesive for upstands, kerbs and the edges of the roof
- Edge trims: drip trim where the roof meets a gutter, kerb trim on open edges, wall flashing trim where the roof meets a wall
- Matching internal and external corners for the trims
- Primer and uncured flashing tape for corners, pipes and other details where needed
- Fixings and sealant
EPDM roof kits explained describes each item and why your roof needs it. The adhesives and primers guide explains which adhesive goes on which surface.
How is a rubber roof installed?
Fitting a rubber roof is a cold, glue-down process. The steps below are a summary; the full step-by-step EPDM installation guide covers each stage with quantities and drying times.
- Prepare the deck. Strip old felt, replace rotten boards, fix loose fixings and sweep the deck clean and dry. Most timber roofs are decked in 18mm OSB3 or plywood.
- Check the fall. A flat roof still needs a gentle slope, normally at least 1 in 80, so water reaches the gutter or outlet.
- Relax the membrane. Unfold the sheet on the roof and leave it for around 30 minutes so it flattens out.
- Bond the flat area. Fold back half the sheet, roll water-based deck adhesive onto the deck, lay the membrane into it and brush out any air. Repeat for the other half.
- Bond the upstands and edges. Apply contact adhesive to both the membrane and the surface, let it go tacky, then press the membrane into place.
- Form the corners. Fold internal corners and use pre-formed corner patches or uncured flashing tape on external corners. See forming EPDM roof corners.
- Fit the trims. Fix drip, kerb and wall trims over the membrane edges, add the matching corners and seal the top of any wall trim.
- Seal details. Pipes, vents, outlets and skylight upstands are flashed with pre-moulded boots or uncured tape. See flashing and detailing.
A small shed roof normally takes an afternoon. A garage or extension takes a day for two people once the deck is ready.
Can I fit a rubber roof myself?
Yes. EPDM is the flat roof covering most suited to DIY because there is no heat involved and the membrane is forgiving to handle. You need a paint roller for the deck adhesive, a brush for the contact adhesive, a seam roller, a sharp knife and a tape measure. Rubber Roof UK supplies a DIY installation tool kit and free technical support by phone on 020 3151 0153, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
Two things are worth weighing before you decide. First, the 20-year manufacturer guarantee only applies to roofs fitted by approved installers who have completed the manufacturer's training, so a DIY roof relies on the membrane's own durability rather than a guarantee. Second, large roofs, roofs with many penetrations, and roofs over living space with a warm-roof build-up are more demanding. The DIY or professional? guide gives an honest view of which roofs to tackle yourself.
Looking after a rubber roof
A rubber roof needs very little maintenance. Once a year, clear leaves and debris, check that outlets and gutters are running, look at the trims and corners, and wash the surface with water and a mild detergent if it has gathered dirt. Small punctures can be patched with a piece of membrane, primer and seam tape. See the EPDM maintenance and care guide.
Rubber roof frequently asked questions
What is a rubber roof made of?
A rubber roof is made of EPDM, a synthetic rubber membrane between 1.0mm and 1.5mm thick, bonded to the roof deck with adhesive and finished with metal or plastic edge trims.
How much does a rubber roof cost per square metre?
At September 2026 the EPDM membrane costs £21.12 per m² for 1.0mm, £24.95 per m² for 1.2mm and £33.58 per m² for 1.5mm including VAT at Rubber Roof UK. Adhesives, trims and any labour are extra. Use the roof kit calculator for a complete price for your roof.
How long does a rubber roof last?
EPDM has a life expectancy of 50+ years. A 20-year manufacturer membrane guarantee is available where the roof is fitted by an approved installer who has completed the manufacturer's training course.
Is a rubber roof better than felt?
For most flat roofs, yes. Felt is bonded with heat or bitumen, has several laps that can lift, and typically needs replacing within 10 to 20 years. EPDM is cold applied, normally goes on as a single sheet, and has a life expectancy of 50+ years.
Is a rubber roof better than fibreglass (GRP)?
Both are long-lasting. GRP gives a rigid, hard finish that can be walked on and coloured, but it must be laid in dry weather within a temperature window and can crack if the structure moves. EPDM stays flexible, is faster to lay and is more forgiving for DIY. GRP is often chosen where a hard, decorative finish matters; EPDM where longevity and simplicity matter.
Can a rubber roof be walked on?
Occasional foot traffic for maintenance is fine on 1.2mm membrane. Roofs used as terraces or walked on regularly should use 1.5mm membrane and walkway pads or paving on support pedestals.
Can you put a rubber roof on top of felt?
Existing felt should normally be removed so the deck can be inspected and repaired. Where the felt is flat, sound and dry it is sometimes overlaid, but any trapped moisture or loose laps will show through and can stop the adhesive bonding.
Does a rubber roof need a fall?
Yes. Like every flat roof it should have a slope of at least 1 in 80 so rainwater drains to the gutter or outlet. Standing water does not damage EPDM, but it shortens the life of any roof and adds weight.
What thickness rubber roof do I need?
1.0mm for sheds and small outbuildings, 1.2mm for garages, extensions, garden rooms and most domestic roofs, and 1.5mm for terraces, commercial roofs and anywhere with regular foot traffic.
Can a rubber roof be fitted in winter?
EPDM can be fitted in cold weather as long as the deck is dry and the adhesives are kept within their working temperature range, which is printed on the tin. Avoid laying it in rain, frost or when rain is due before the adhesive has cured.
How do I measure for a rubber roof?
Measure the flat deck length and width, then add the height of every upstand or wall plus an allowance to dress over each edge. The calculator does this for you: enter the deck size and tell it which edges meet a gutter, a wall or a kerb.
Price your rubber roof
Enter your roof size in the rubber roof calculator for an itemised kit price, or choose a ready-made kit for your building from the rubber roof kits collection. Every order includes free UK delivery and free technical support before, during and after your project. If you would rather talk it through, contact the team on 020 3151 0153.
More guides: EPDM learning centre.