Annually, hail damage to roofs results in millions of dollars of economic loss to property owners throughout the United States. And with the uptick of major hailstorms in recent years, many building owners are looking to acquire more hail-resistant roofing systems. Empirical experience has long suggested that EPDM roof systems can better withstand significant hail events.

A recent article entitled “The Proven Durability of EPDM Roofing Systems”, published in the April 2015 issue of The Construction Specifier, details the numerous long-term benefits offered by EPDM roofing systems. The authors, Jim D. Koontz, PE, RRC, and Thomas W. Hutchinson, CSI, AIA, FRCI, RRC, RRP, focused on EPDM’s resistance to hail as revealed through a rigorous testing program.

Ballasted EPDM roofing systems perform exceptionally well in hailstorms.

The study and article concluded, “The overall results clearly indicate non-reinforced EPDM roof assemblies offer a high degree of hail resistance over various substrates, and validate empirical experiences. The impact resistance of both the field-aged and heat-aged membrane also demonstrates EPDM retains the bulk of its impact resistance as it ages.”

In summary, Koontz and Hutchinson stated, “The use of non-reinforced EPDM can provide an additional level of long-term protection, especially in hail-prone areas.”

Download the complete Koontz/Hutchinson article.

To learn more about the benefits of an EPDM roofing system, visit www.carlislesyntec.com. For more information, contact Ron Goodman at Ron.Goodman@CarlisleSynTec.com.