What is Roof Drip Edge

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If you look at homes with new roofs, you may notice a continuous-looking piece of metal that hangs just below the edge of the shingles. This piece can be a wide range of colors, but it is usually a different color than the trim of the home. If you see this than you are probably looking at drip edge.

What is a Roof Drip Edge?

Drip edge is a piece of metal flashing that is 8-10’ long that serves one main purpose: protection. It primarily protects the fascia of the home but also acts as an extra layer of protection for the edge of your roof decking. A metal drip edge is an add-on that can be installed on a range of roofs, including metal, shingle, rubber, or slate. They do your roof a big favor by steering water away from its edges. This protects underlying material, including the rake and fascia board. It also ensures that weight is more evenly distributed and that water sluices off the roof as quickly as possible.

Are drip edges necessary?

When it comes to roofing, the drip edge is often overlooked. This less commonly known roofing element is extremely important for every roof to have. Drip edges are located around the entire roof area. Roof edges are designed to bind underlayment edges around the edges and create a water-tight sealant. Typically, the edges where drips were mounted in 1’ faces or painted white. The most common colors of drip edges are white, brown or black. The color of your drip edge typically matches your roof’s shingles and gutters to help keep a uniform look.

A drip edge is a metal flashing that is placed on the edge of your roof to help keep moisture away from the fascia as well as protect the underlying structural materials. Without a drip edge, water can get behind your gutters and cause your fascia to rot. The reason why drip edge is important is because of surface tension. When water flows down your roof to the edge of your shingles, it can actually roll over the edge of the shingle and flow back to the fascia. In a way, water can defy gravity through surface tension. Without a drip edge in place, the water will run down the fascia of your home and even flow back to your decking. This constant contact with water will cause the wood to eventually rot.

What are some benefits of having a drip edge?

Roofs can be expensive and they are definitely an investment. Having a drip edge installed is another layer of protectant that will help aid in preserving and extending the life of your roof. Drip edges protect the edge of your roof deck from both water and wind, they also aid in keeping your porch and basement dry. During the winter months, a drip edge can protect the bottom of your shingles line from ice dams melting and possibly causing mold or wood to rot.

Types of drip edges

There are several different types of drip edges available, here are the three most common types.

The C-style drip edge is curved similar to the letter C. This type of drip edge allows water to roll away from the roof decking. C-style drip edges are shaped to lie under your roof’s decking perfectly and are usually used on roofs that do not have fascia boards.
The L-style drip edge is fairly common and is bent in the center to create a 90-degree angle or an L. One-half of this L is found under the roofing material while the rest of it sits on top of the roof’s fascia. This type of drip edge is most commonly found on roofs with a lower incline. L-style drip edges have a shorter flange at the bottom of them and are more simplistic than other drip edge styles.
The T-style drip edge differs from the other two drip edge styles as it is far more complex. They are also extremely effective at deterring water away from your home’s roof.

What are the Different Kinds of Drip Edge?

That being said, not all drip edge is created equally. There are a wide range of sizes of drip edge pieces. Some go under the shingles 3 inches, some go under the shingles 4 inches, some 6 inches, and so on. There are drip edges that are flat as they go down the fascia and some that have a 45-degree bend at the end to flick water away from the fascia boards.

Drip edge profile types

Roof drip edges are typically sold at lengths of 10.5 feet. The length of the overhang itself generally extends from two to five inches. Other sizes and styles of drip edges could be found in our catalog including “j-channel” drip edges. The National Roofing Contractors Association has not recommended using ventilated drip edge systems for the roof. Drip edges are also available for windows, doors, and other applications.

Can drip edges be installed after shingles?

The best time to install drip edges is with the gutter system during the initial construction of your roof or home. However, drip edges can still be installed on existing roofs. Many building codes require structures to have a drip edge installed for their health benefits. For this same reason, lots of homeowners choose to install drip edges on their existing roofs because of the value drip edges have in the United States.

What materials are drip edges made of?

There are a few options when it comes to the material for your roof’s drip edge. Here are a few of the most commonly used materials. Aluminum is strong but not quite as strong as other materials such as steel. If you are looking for a way to prevent rust, then this is a great option. Aluminum drip edges are ideal for homes along coastal regions and they come in various colors.

Galvanized steel drip edges are another popular option. Drip edges made of galvanized steel are made to be in contact with water and lead it to the gutters. Any type of steel drip edges need to be galvanized or else they are likely to rust. Copper is the traditional option when it comes to drip edges. Copper is a favorite due to its sturdiness and how long it lasts.

Overall, drip edges are made from a variety of different plastics and metals that are accepted by most buildings’ codes. Plastic or vinyl drip edges may also be offered in your area. These types of materials are most ideal for nonroof applications such as above doors and windows.