EPDM Rubber membrane and TPO Vinyl are not protected against Ultraviolet rays. Both these roofing systems have shown failures due to ultraviolet exposure.
There are coatings that can be applied to protect these membranes but the owner is never informed of the need to do so. This means that EPDM roofs don’t last 5 years without having a leak issue.
This is also the case with Modified Bitumen Torch Down Membranes. Most roofing contractors will install a plain Torch Down Rubber membrane that is not protected against ultraviolet. This means Aluminum Asphalt Coating has to be applied over the membrane to protect it. If the owner was aware of this, they could request that the roofing contractor use a Torch Down Membrane that has the ceramic granules embedded on the surface as protection. Such a rubber membrane will never have to be coated because the ceramic granules are the best protection.
Waterproofing and Leak Specialists