" I was told they are not to be confused with glue-down types and that they are much better, etc."

That depends on what type of "glue down" you are talking about.

EPDM roofs beat torch down any day, and they are either glued down or ballasted down.

When you say EPDM beats torch-down, what do you mean? Do you mean there's a better chance of a good result (no seams leaking, etc.), or do you mean method and safety of install (no flame to worry about)? Thanks.

I'm tempted to try a glue-down myself if it will last. Current one is structurally fine, just covered with metal (tin?) that's been patched and coated with aluminum many times.

Should EPDM be coated with Aluminum?

The dangers from fire alone and deterioration of the decking by improperly (but commonly) not using a fg underlayment would deter me from using torch down roofing.

Besides EPDM roofing, there are a variety of hot-air welded and cold liquid applied options.

EPDM roofing for a smaller area will have only factory seams in the piece used, plus whatever cuts you have to make for things sticking through the roof.

The life of EPDM is at least 30-40 years.

There is no real supply of EPDM for the home market in the US (Firestone is a large manufacturer but could care less about residential work).

Find a well recommended local installer and talk with them.

If you are interested in trying the job yourself Resource Conservation Technology (Baltimore, MD) used to do turn key 'kits' based on dimensions and sketches.

They supplied a piece of membrane made with hold down tabs on the back, and the rest of the items required to secure the edges.

Flat Roof Solutions also sells everything you need and will help you decide what to order and how to do the job.
They sell pieces of EPDM by size. You get a pieces large enough for the roof without any seams and cut it down as needed.

Where I live, in the SF Bay Area on the west coast, "torch down roofs", i.e. modified bitumen roofs, are everywhere. (Perhaps because we have many houses with flat roofs here --- row houses)

I just had one put down 2 weeks ago and learned just a little bit about them. If you get a 2 layer (APP80 followed by APP160) you have to paint the APP160 every couple of years. If you get a 3 layer version (a granulated APP180 third layer on the top) which costs a little more, your roof lasts longer and you also don't have to paint it every few years.

I have some pictures on the URL below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Torch Down Roof

I've gotten all my EDPM from RCT that brickeye referenced. Good people. I'd take EPDM over torch down any day.

You can also get white EPDM, if color is important.

In general bitumen based roofing is popular in the West and synthetic membranes (EPDM, PVC, etc) are popular in the East. For your roof EPDM can be mechanically attached or fully adhered over a protection board that can be applied over the old roofing or a layer of insulation.

Personally, I wouldn't allow anyone to use a torch on my roof if it contained combustible materials.

I recommend hiring a good roofer to install a fully-adhered single-ply membrane roof because of the technical skill required at terminations and penetrations, the warranty, and avoidance of injury.

I put roofing ahead of floor sanding in my list of the most unwise homeowner DIY activities. A poor job could cost considerably more than hiring a pro.

Can you install torchdown directly over epdm? Without a base sheet

Torch-down roofs are illegal in a number of states due to the fire risk. Check the laws in your state before proceeding.

Torch down cannot go directly over EPDM.