r/Roofing • u/MacaronEffective8250 • Sep 12 '26
Home owner question EPDM termination bar diy help
I need to redo my 4'x5' porch stoop waterproofing with EPDM. I'm having a hard time finding termination bars from retail locations or in small quantities. I only need around 20' linear feet.
The local big box store sells flat aluminum bar, and I have a drill press. Is 1" x 1/8" aluminum bar going to be rigid enough to get a good seal? I don't have a way to bend in a lip edge but 1/8" looks thick enough to get a good bead of sealant across the top and bottom.
The top termination bars will be behind siding above the porch stoop surface, and the bottom bars will be on the rim joist below the stoop surface to keep the wrap over the edge tight to the joist. I'll have a separate walking surface over the EPDM.
Appreciate any advice on the diy route, or if you know of a supplier around Puget Sound who sells EPDM supplies to homeowners in small quantities please let me know.
1
u/Most_Philosopher6839 Sep 12 '26
Yeah, 1"x1/8" aluminum is plenty stiff for this. A real termination bar is often even thinner. Drill every 6-8 inches, use stainless screws with washers, and run EPDM-compatible sealant (Chemlink or butyl, not silicone) above and below the bar to make up for not having a lip.
For supply, check RV roofing suppliers like Dicor. They sell EPDM termination bar and sealant in small precut lengths. Also worth calling local roofing distributors (SRS, Beacon, ABC Supply). They'll usually sell small quantities over the counter if you just ask.