The Importance of a Rubber Roof Membrane in Outdoor Coolers and Freezers

At American Cooler Technologies, we are often asked about the difference between an indoor walk in cooler and an outdoor walk in freezer. The fact is, there isn’t much of a difference except that outdoor units are covered by a rubber roof membrane. Many people wonder what a rubber roof membrane is and what it does. This article will help explain the importance of a rubber roof membrane on your outdoor walk in cooler or walk in freezer.

rubber roof membrane

Rubber roof membrane is made from a rubber compound called EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer). This material is VERY strong and is often used in harsh environments. The purpose of the rubber roof membrane is to cover the roof of your walk in cooler or freezer in outdoor applications. This prevents debris from collecting on top of your unit and getting into the seams and causing problems. When a walk in cooler or freezer is outside, lots of things can land on top of it including seeds, nobody wants plants and foliage growing on top of their walk in cooler/freezer!

Rubber roof membrane is sold most commonly in the color white. This is due to the fact that white helps deflect heat. You don’t want the roof of your walk in cooler or freezer getting extremely hot, as it will be working against your refrigeration system that is trying to keep your unit cold.

Rubber roof membrane can be installed using termination bars, glue, or both. Termination bars are a popular choice because it allows for future removal of the rubber roof membrane if you ever decide to relocate your box. Glue is often used in areas with high wind where a tight fitting seal is critical. Keep in mind that if your rubber roof membrane is installed during colder months, you may experience some bubbling when it heats up in the summer due to the hot air trying to escape. If this is bubbling occurs after using the termination bar method of installation, simply remove ther termination bars and allow the air to escape before reinstalling them.

If you’re in the market for a rubber roof membrane, or a walk in cooler or freezer, give American Cooler Technologies a call. Our friendly and knowledgeable sales team would be more than happy to assist you. Thank you for reading and check back next week for a new blog post.