Quick answer: Techno TRC 045 EPDM is installed as a fully adhered rubber roof system. Prepare a smooth, secure roof deck, allow the membrane to relax, use water-based adhesive across suitable timber decking, use contact adhesive for upstands and perimeter details, then finish the roof with the correct trims, corners and pressure-sensitive tapes.
This guide follows the current Techno TRC installation guidance from Avenir Roofing, the UK distributor for the system. If you are still buying the materials, start with our EPDM Rubber Roofing range.
Buying the materials as well? Use our EPDM Rubber Roof Kit Calculator to enter the finished roof size and build the membrane, adhesive and trim shopping list before you start.
1. Measure the roof and allow extra membrane at the edges
Measure the finished roof deck rather than the building footprint. Techno recommends allowing around 400mm extra membrane overall so you have enough material to dress the sheet over roof edges and details before trimming it back.
Our 1.2mm Techno TRC 045 membrane is supplied cut to size in 3.05m, 4.58m and 6.10m widths, with lengths up to 30.5m.
2. Prepare a smooth, secure roof deck
EPDM works best over a suitable timber roof deck such as plywood or OSB. The deck should be secure, smooth and free from loose debris, sharp objects, oil, grease and anything that could damage the membrane or interfere with the adhesive.
Techno allows contact adhesive on some existing non-timber surfaces, including old concrete and asphalt, but the manufacturer strongly recommends overboarding larger areas with at least 12mm plywood or OSB and using water-based deck adhesive instead.
Ponded water, snow, frost and ice must be removed before installation. Techno states that its water-based adhesive can be applied to a damp timber substrate.
3. Open the EPDM membrane and let it settle
Open the membrane out as soon as practical and position it over the roof before bonding. Letting the sheet relax makes it easier to remove packing creases, position the overhang evenly and avoid fighting the membrane while the adhesive is being applied.
4. Bond the main roof area with water-based adhesive
Use Techno EPDM Water-Based Adhesive on suitable absorbent timber decking such as plywood or OSB.
- Stir the adhesive thoroughly before use.
- With the membrane positioned correctly, fold back roughly half of the sheet.
- Apply an even coat of adhesive to the roof deck with a roller and sleeve.
- Lay the membrane back into the adhesive carefully, then repeat the process on the other half.
Techno's stated coverage is approximately 8–10m² from 2.5 litres, 16–20m² from 5 litres and 32–40m² from 10 litres.
5. Use contact adhesive around upstands and perimeter details
Techno EPDM Contact Adhesive is used where water-based deck adhesive is not suitable, including upstands, masonry and other vertical or perimeter details.
Apply contact adhesive to both the membrane and the receiving surface, then allow it to become touch dry before bringing the two surfaces together. Techno warns that bonding the membrane while the contact adhesive is still wet can cause bubbles beneath the rubber.
The 750ml spray covers approximately 2m². The 2.5-litre tin covers approximately 7.5–8m².
6. Fit the edge trim after the membrane is installed
For a non-draining roof edge, use the Techno EPDM Edge Trim.
- Fit a 2in × 1in batten around the roof perimeter, level with the roof deck.
- Once the membrane is installed, push the edge trim down into position.
- Fix it with the supplied polypins.
- Trim off the excess membrane with a sharp blade.
- Leave approximately 5mm between adjoining trim lengths for expansion and contraction.
7. Use the two-part gutter trim on the drainage edge
At the edge where water drains into the gutter, use the Techno EPDM Gutter Trim.
- Fix a 25mm × 50mm batten to the perimeter, level with the roof deck.
- Position the top of the base plate about 5mm below the top of the drip batten, with the lower lip pointing away from the roof.
- Secure the base plate and leave a small expansion gap between adjoining lengths.
- Dress the EPDM membrane over the base plate.
- Fit the top plate through the elongated fixing slots so the membrane is held securely while the trim can still accommodate movement.
8. Prime before using seam, cover or flashing tape
Techno Primer is required with the Techno pressure-sensitive tape system. Apply Techno EPDM Primer to the prepared membrane and allow it to become touch dry before applying the tape.
Use 3in Seam Tape for joining compatible EPDM sheets, 6in Cover Tape for suitable cover and transition details, and 9in Flashing Tape for larger details, awkward shapes and local EPDM repairs.
9. Use the correct corners rather than improvising the trim detail
Where edge and gutter trims meet, use the matching external edge corner, internal edge corner or external gutter corner. These are designed around the Techno trim system and give a cleaner, more consistent finish than trying to form the trim itself around a 90° corner.
10. Inspect the finished roof rather than coating it
Techno EPDM does not need a protective topcoat. The manufacturer recommends a yearly inspection of the roof and allows access for periodic maintenance. If the membrane is damaged later, Techno specifically recommends repairing it with the compatible flashing-tape system rather than applying a general roof coating over the EPDM.
Need the complete system? Use the EPDM Rubber Roof Kit Calculator to build the main roof materials from your measurements, or shop the EPDM Rubber Roofing collection to choose individual membrane, adhesives, trims, corners, primer and tapes.
