How Long Does EPDM Last?

September 5, 2018 | General
How Long Does EPDM Last?

 

Did you know that some EPDM rubber roofs are older than some countries?

EPDM’s impressive lifespan of up to fifty years exceeds most other roofing types and means that some rubber roofs have seen as many as 7 Royal Weddings, 9 Prime Ministers in Downing Street, 25 Olympic Games and more than 3 billion babies born across the world – and they’re still going strong!

EPDM rubber roofing was first introduced in the 60s and has taken the world by storm because of its durability and strength. It is amongst the most common types of flat roofing because of its ability to withstand harsh weather and because it is so cost-effective.

What Is Your Rubber Roof Older Than?

Let’s say you had a rubber roof installed in the 70s. According to its life expectancy, that means it would now be much older than a lot of things we couldn’t live without. Here are a few of them:

  • Mobile Phones (1973) – The first mobile phone call was made in 1973. Since then, mobile phones have grown tremendously in popularity. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t have one today, but, rubber roofs have seen them all come and go since their installation.
  • Laptops (1981) – Another piece of technology most people can’t imagine not having, is the laptop. The first one came in 1981, making all laptops much younger than plenty of rubber roofs. IPads didn’t come until 2010, so chances are, whatever device you’re reading this on, hasn’t been around for as long as some EPDM roofs.
  • The World Wide Web (1989) – Can you remember a world without the internet? Some rubber roofs can. We were introduced to the world wide web in the late 80s and it revolutionised computers and communications like nothing ever has before. It is hard to think about a time when everything that we use the internet for, we once couldn’t. But this huge invention is still younger than some EPDM roofs, which are still going strong.
  • Slovakia & Czech Republic (1993) – It may surprise you to learn that some rubber roofs have been installed longer than some countries have been around. Czechoslovakia split into two independent countries in 1993, becoming Slovakia and the Czech Republic, making those countries younger than some rubber roofs by as much as 20 years.
  • Facebook (2004) – In 2004, what would soon become the social media giant we all know, was initially introduced. Today, we use Facebook for keeping in touch with friends, sharing events, advertisement and much more. But, again, it is a lot younger than a wide range of installed rubber roofs.

What Have Rubber Roofs Seen Since Installation?

It is believed that the first ever EPDM rubber roof was installed in the year 1965, and it is still going strong today. This rubber roof is now proof of EPDM rubber’s 50-year life expectancy. To give you an idea of just how long some rubber roofs have lasted, here are a few of the things rubber roofs have seen come to pass:

  • The Moon Landing (1969) – With the first rubber roof being installed in 1965, some rubber roofs are even old enough to have seen the moon landing in 1969. It is hard to imagine that a flat roof installed that long ago, is still around today. But, for EPDM, it’s no problem.
  • ABBA (1972-1982) – There are plenty of EPDM rubber roofs around who saw the introduction and the break up of ABBA, the phenomenon that gave us songs like Mamma Mia and Dancing Queen, amongst many other hits.
  • First GPS Satellite Launch (1978) – What would we do without GPS today? Well, the first GPS satellite launch occurred in 1978 with the Navstar 1 launch. There were plenty of rubber roofs installed at this point in time, which also lasted to see Navstar 1’s retirement in 1985.
  • The Millennium (2000) – The first rubber roof was 35 years old when the millennium came and still had decades more to go.
  • Queen’s Diamond Jubilee (2012) – This huge celebration took place in 2012 and celebrated Queen Elizabeth’s 60th anniversary as monarch. Again, rubber roofs that were installed as early as the 60s, lasted through this monumental event. They will also have lasted to see Queen Elizabeth II become the longest-serving British monarch, in 2015.

What’s Next for EPDM Rubber Roofs?

Now that we’ve put into perspective just how long EPDM rubber roofs can last, it is no surprise that they are often the number one choice for flat roofing today. Just think of the technological advances and exciting events that newer rubber roofs will live to see in the next century. To get your very own EPDM rubber roof, visit the rest of the Avenir Roofing website, to see how you can get your hands on yours.


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