Roof Replacement in Goffstown, NH | Onyx Black Shingles & EPDM Rubber Roof Integration

What was unique about this Goffstown roof replacement?

Most residential roofs have one roofing system. This Goffstown home has two — and that is by design. The main pitched sections of the roof were replaced with Owens Corning TruDefinition® Duration® shingles in Onyx Black, while a low-slope section at the rear of the house received a fully-adhered EPDM rubber roofing membrane. Getting the transition between the two systems right was the critical challenge of the project.

Why Onyx Black for the main roof sections?

Onyx Black is a deep, bold architectural shingle that gives a house genuine presence — a clean, modern aesthetic with strong contrast. The homeowners wanted that look, and TruDefinition® Duration® delivers it with a product that backs up the appearance with real performance. SureNail® Technology provides a wider, stronger nailing zone for improved wind resistance, and the laminated construction gives the shingle depth and dimension that a standard three-tab does not have.

Why does the low-slope section need a rubber roof instead of shingles?

Slope is the key variable. Asphalt shingles work because water moves quickly down a pitched surface — each lap of shingle overlaps the one below it, and water moves off the roof faster than it can work through the overlaps. On a low-slope section, typically anything below about a 2:12 pitch, that equation breaks down. Water moves slowly enough that it can sit in the laps and eventually find its way through. EPDM rubber eliminates the problem entirely because it is not a lapped system — it is a continuous, monolithic membrane bonded to the deck with no joints for water to penetrate.

What is a fully-adhered EPDM membrane?

EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a synthetic rubber roofing material that has been a standard in commercial low-slope roofing for decades and is increasingly the right answer for residential low-slope sections. In a fully-adhered installation, the membrane is bonded to the prepared deck with roofing adhesive across its entire surface area:

• No exposed fasteners — the membrane is held down by adhesive rather than screws through the surface, eliminating penetration points
• No ballast — unlike some commercial EPDM installations, a fully-adhered residential system is bonded directly rather than held in place by stone, so there is no additional weight load on the structure
• Seams and terminations sealed with EPDM-compatible tape and sealant, creating a watertight, continuous surface

How does the transition between the two systems get waterproofed?

The transition zone — where the sloped shingle sections meet the low-slope EPDM section — is the most critical detail on a project like this. Water naturally flows toward that transition, and if the flashing there is not executed correctly, the entire rubber roof section can be undermined by water tracking in from above. Our crew integrated the systems with:

• Metal flashing properly lapped and sealed at every edge where the two systems meet
• Water barrier material at the transition zone to bridge any movement between the two systems
• A clean, continuous seal from the shingled surface into the EPDM membrane with no exposed joints

Roof replacement in Goffstown, NH

Complex roof geometry is something we handle regularly — whether it is a combination of pitched and flat sections, multiple planes with varying pitches, or older homes with non-standard framing. See the Goffstown service area page or read about our roof replacement services. Call 603-219-1523 for a free estimate.