SpecTips: New Extended Warranty Options for EPDM

Carlisle EPDM’s 60-Year Track Record Leads to New Extended Warranty Options

Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, also known as EPDM, was developed in the 1950s as an alternative to natural rubber. By 1961, Carlisle SynTec Systems revolutionized the low-slope roofing industry by producing and installing the first EPDM rubber roofing membrane on the Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

Over the past 60 years, EPDM has proven itself as the most durable and dimensionally stable single-ply roofing membrane on the market with abundant examples of 40+ year old roofs still in service. This longevity has been validated through both real-world field applications and lab testing, where black EPDM achieved an industry-leading radiant exposure rating of 41,580 kJ/m² without showing signs of cracking or crazing.

With its unparalleled track record of performance, EPDM is widely regarded as the gold standard for single-ply roofing membranes, particularly when considering service life and repairability. This durability and performance have a direct impact on sustainability – a roof that remains in service longer reduces its impact on the environment.

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As a result, Carlisle has recently enhanced its EPDM warranty offerings with two major updates.

Ballasted EPDM System Warranty Expansion
Ballasted EPDM systems are an excellent choice for sustainability-focused building designs. These systems eliminate the need for adhesives, protect the membrane from environmental exposure with ballast, and allow for easy recycling at the end of the roof’s life. Carlisle has extended the warranty for these systems:

• Sure-Seal^® 60-mil non-reinforced EPDM systems, using 30-year detailing, are now eligible for 30-year warranties.
• Sure-Seal 45-mil non-reinforced EPDM systems, when using 25-year detailing, are now eligible for 25-year warranties.

New 40-Year EPDM Material Warranty
Building on its history of long-term performance, Carlisle now offers a 40-year, non-prorated material warranty for Sure-Seal and Sure-White^® 90-mil EPDM membranes. This decision aligns with both accelerated weathering tests and decades of real-world experience, further cementing EPDM as a top choice for sustainable and resilient roofing systems.

Carlisle’s EPDM roofing membranes are the ideal choice for those seeking a reliable, resilient, and sustainable roofing system backed by industry-leading warranty options. EPDM not only transformed the low-slope roofing market—it continues to set the benchmark for longevity and performance.

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SPECTIP

Add warranty and product information to the Division 7 Section for EPDM – Section 07523.

• PART I – General – Warranty Paragraphs – Include Carlisle’s EPDM warranty lengths desired.
• PART II – Products – Include Carlisle’s EPDM products and assembly attachment method based on desired warranty lengths.

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For more information, check out these resources:

Carlisle Sure-Seal EPDM Product Page
Carlisle SynTec Systems Introduces New EPDM Warranty Options Marketing Announcement