White EPDM History and Innovation
Since the introduction of white EPDM roofs in 1987, numerous enhancements have been made to the membrane and system components, making today's white EPDM systems far more robust and a greater value than ever before.
Improvements to the Membrane
When the original white EPDM membrane was introduced over 33 years ago, it had respectable UV weathering resistance for the time, but it was apparent that a trend towards longer-term performance was evolving. With that in mind, the EPDM Chemists in R&D went to work on formulating a higher-performing white EPDM that was implemented into production in December of 1994. The industry standard test for UV resistance is the Xenon Arc accelerated weathering test, and our white EPDM now boasts an impressive 25,200 kJ/m2, which is one of the highest levels among white single-ply membranes.
Improvements to Seams
The second area of improvement was in EPDM seaming technology. In the late 1980s, Carlisle was using a specially designed Splice Wash to clean the seam area, and a butyl-based White Splice Cement. Butyl-based splice adhesives had been used in pond liner applications and are very tolerant of ponded water. However, the seaming process involved quite a few steps, leaving seams prone to variations caused by workmanship techniques and installation conditions.
In 2001, Carlisle introduced a customized Splice Primer and double-sided White Seam Tape. These products simplified the seaming process and reduced workmanship inconsistencies. The more variability taken out of a process, the more consistent the results.
Around 2005, Carlisle took seaming to the next level by introducing EPDM sheets with Factory-Applied Tape™, in which splice primer and splice tape are pre-applied to one side of the sheet in a factory-controlled environment. This breakthrough in technology further decreased workmanship issues and improved the quality of finished splices, because contractors simply had to roller-apply primer to one side of the sheet and then mate the two sheets together with a seam roller. Factory-Applied Tape not only improved seaming productivity by 65%, it also improved seam quality so dramatically that Carlisle saw an 80% drop in seam-related workmanship claims.
Improvements to Puncture Resistance
Non-reinforced 60-mil EPDM membranes are quite popular and offer a full 60 mils of weathering protection. In comparison, internally reinforced membranes of any type contain less weathering material over the reinforcing scrim. For example, on a 60-mil reinforced sheet, the thickness over scrim ranges from 20 to 25 mils. In 1996, we introduced a fleece-backed EPDM sheet featuring the highest puncture resistance of all EPDM membranes. For a 60-mil membrane, adding external fleece reinforcement increases puncture resistance by approximately 300%. Because the sheet is externally reinforced, fleece-backed membranes contain a full 60 mils of weathering material above the reinforcement. In 2012, Carlisle introduced 90-mil white EPDM, which has considerably more puncture resistance and provides the most weathering material of any single-ply membrane on the market.
Improvements to Flashing Details
White flashing made of uncured EPDM was introduced along with white EPDM membrane in 1987. Uncured EPDM flashing offered the same weathering properties as the membrane.
In 1992, wall and curb flashing details were updated to require cured (as opposed to uncured) EPDM membrane for added toughness, durability, UV resistance, and weatherability. This was a natural progression with the introduction of the Reinforced Universal Securement Strip (RUSS) detail that allowed the high-performance EPDM field membrane to run continuously into the angle change and up the wall.
In 2005, Carlisle introduced a line of prefabricated pressure-sensitive inside/outside corners, pipe boots, and pourable sealer pockets for white EPDM systems. These products quickly gained popularity because they simplified the application process and improved the quality of the finished roofing system. Today's pressure-sensitive flashings feature a full 60-mil EPDM weathering layer laminated to 30-mil cured adhesive for a 90-mil total thickness. This added thickness contributes to the durability and robustness of white EPDM flashings.
White EPDM: Time-tested and Built to Last
In summary, technological advancements such as the 1994 formulation improvement, seam tapes, primers, puncture-resistant membrane options like 90-mil and FleeceBACK, and more robust flashing details have made white EPDM better than ever. Owners, architects, and contractors can benefit from Carlisle’s white EPDM based on 33 years of experience and innovation.
For more information on Sure-White EPDM, visit the Carlisle website here.
Contact Ron Goodman at [email protected] with further questions.
Improvements to the Membrane
When the original white EPDM membrane was introduced over 33 years ago, it had respectable UV weathering resistance for the time, but it was apparent that a trend towards longer-term performance was evolving. With that in mind, the EPDM Chemists in R&D went to work on formulating a higher-performing white EPDM that was implemented into production in December of 1994. The industry standard test for UV resistance is the Xenon Arc accelerated weathering test, and our white EPDM now boasts an impressive 25,200 kJ/m2, which is one of the highest levels among white single-ply membranes.
Improvements to Seams
The second area of improvement was in EPDM seaming technology. In the late 1980s, Carlisle was using a specially designed Splice Wash to clean the seam area, and a butyl-based White Splice Cement. Butyl-based splice adhesives had been used in pond liner applications and are very tolerant of ponded water. However, the seaming process involved quite a few steps, leaving seams prone to variations caused by workmanship techniques and installation conditions.
In 2001, Carlisle introduced a customized Splice Primer and double-sided White Seam Tape. These products simplified the seaming process and reduced workmanship inconsistencies. The more variability taken out of a process, the more consistent the results.
Around 2005, Carlisle took seaming to the next level by introducing EPDM sheets with Factory-Applied Tape™, in which splice primer and splice tape are pre-applied to one side of the sheet in a factory-controlled environment. This breakthrough in technology further decreased workmanship issues and improved the quality of finished splices, because contractors simply had to roller-apply primer to one side of the sheet and then mate the two sheets together with a seam roller. Factory-Applied Tape not only improved seaming productivity by 65%, it also improved seam quality so dramatically that Carlisle saw an 80% drop in seam-related workmanship claims.
Improvements to Puncture Resistance
Non-reinforced 60-mil EPDM membranes are quite popular and offer a full 60 mils of weathering protection. In comparison, internally reinforced membranes of any type contain less weathering material over the reinforcing scrim. For example, on a 60-mil reinforced sheet, the thickness over scrim ranges from 20 to 25 mils. In 1996, we introduced a fleece-backed EPDM sheet featuring the highest puncture resistance of all EPDM membranes. For a 60-mil membrane, adding external fleece reinforcement increases puncture resistance by approximately 300%. Because the sheet is externally reinforced, fleece-backed membranes contain a full 60 mils of weathering material above the reinforcement. In 2012, Carlisle introduced 90-mil white EPDM, which has considerably more puncture resistance and provides the most weathering material of any single-ply membrane on the market.
Improvements to Flashing Details
White flashing made of uncured EPDM was introduced along with white EPDM membrane in 1987. Uncured EPDM flashing offered the same weathering properties as the membrane.
In 1992, wall and curb flashing details were updated to require cured (as opposed to uncured) EPDM membrane for added toughness, durability, UV resistance, and weatherability. This was a natural progression with the introduction of the Reinforced Universal Securement Strip (RUSS) detail that allowed the high-performance EPDM field membrane to run continuously into the angle change and up the wall.
In 2005, Carlisle introduced a line of prefabricated pressure-sensitive inside/outside corners, pipe boots, and pourable sealer pockets for white EPDM systems. These products quickly gained popularity because they simplified the application process and improved the quality of the finished roofing system. Today's pressure-sensitive flashings feature a full 60-mil EPDM weathering layer laminated to 30-mil cured adhesive for a 90-mil total thickness. This added thickness contributes to the durability and robustness of white EPDM flashings.
White EPDM: Time-tested and Built to Last
In summary, technological advancements such as the 1994 formulation improvement, seam tapes, primers, puncture-resistant membrane options like 90-mil and FleeceBACK, and more robust flashing details have made white EPDM better than ever. Owners, architects, and contractors can benefit from Carlisle’s white EPDM based on 33 years of experience and innovation.
For more information on Sure-White EPDM, visit the Carlisle website here.
Contact Ron Goodman at [email protected] with further questions.
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