Everything You Need to Know About Drip Edge

WHAT IS A DRIP EDGE?

A drip edge is a slanted metal piece put on top of the fascia board. It helps guide water away from the fascia and into the Seamless gutters, which then carry the water away. Drip edges can go on the rake, eaves, and gable of your roof. They stick out past the fascia and should be at least one-third of the width of the gutter.

Metal drip edges are usually made from metals like galvanized steel, aluminum, or copper, which don’t soak up water or rust easily. They can also be made from tough materials like vinyl, plastic, or fiberglass.

WHAT’S THE PURPOSE OF ROOF DRIP EDGES?

DRIP EDGES SERVE TWO MAIN PURPOSES:


1. Direct water away from fascia: 
Water droplets usually stick together and to surfaces because of forces like cohesion and surface tension. A drip edge is made to make use of these forces and, with the help of gravity, guide water into the gutter. If there’s no gutter, the drip edge stops the water from running down the fascia and getting into the soffit cavity. Without a drip edge, water can cling to shingles and might seep underneath, causing leaks. For instance, it could stick to the fascia, leading to rot or, in worse cases, a leak inside the house.

2. Protect from wind-driven rain: In tough conditions, wind can move water around on a roof. Shingles, along with other protective layers like underlayments and ice and water shields, stop wind-driven rain from damaging the roof’s base. But at the edges, the drip edge has to battle against the wind. The wind can lift water upward before gravity pulls it down. To handle this, the drip edge has to extend quite a bit off the roof’s edge and have a lower flange of two to four inches. Without any drip edge, wind-driven rain could mess up the roof.

MATERIALS USED FOR DRIP EDGE

Drip edges are crafted from different plastics and metals. Both are okay under most building codes as long as the metals are resistant to corrosion or galvanized.

  • Aluminum: Aluminum is a popular choice for drip edges, though not as strong as steel. It doesn’t rust and is often available in colors that perfectly match the home’s exterior.
  • Copper: Copper is a durable metal that adds a distinctive appearance to a roof. When used as a drip edge, it should be at least 0.69 mm thick or 20 ounces.
  • Galvanized steel: Drip edges are meant to deal with water, so if they’re steel, they should be galvanized to avoid rust. It’s better to have a minimum of 24-gauge steel so the drip edge can handle strong winds.

While plastic, vinyl, and fiberglass drip edges might be available in your area, they’re usually better for non-roofing jobs, like above doors and windows.

Aluminum
Copper
Galvanized Steel

WHY IS A DRIP EDGE IMPORTANT?

Drip edges not only keep your roof looking good but also protect your property from potential damage.

  • Stops bugs and other tiny critters from getting into the gap between the roof’s edge and a deck below, which might let them sneak into a house or attic.
  • Keeps the shingles safe from water harm, which could otherwise make the roof, deck, and fascia board wear away as time goes on.
  • Moves water away from the fascia and lowers the chance of it wearing away over time.
  • Aids the gutters in carrying water away from the house and its foundation.
  • Protects open areas from bugs and pest problems.
  • Keeps the edge of a deck safe from rainwater during storms.
  • Protects the roofline underneath from winter damage like ice and snow, which could lead to rot.
  • Protects the roof from strong winds and rain blown by the wind.
  • Protects the basic wood and helps water to shed off effectively.
  • Helps prevent shifts between a deck and the fascia boards.
  • Extends the life and effectiveness of the roofing materials and the roof in general.

TYPES OF DRIP EDGES

1- HEMMED DRIP EDGE 

With metal and standing seam roofing, using a hemmed drip edge prevents water from moving upward due to capillary action and passing through the drip-edge metal.

2. L-SHAPED DRIP EDGE

The L-shaped drip edge is the most common type, seen in cross-section forming an L-shape, with one part reaching over the roof deck and the other running down the fascia. This setup efficiently directs water away from the edge..

3. T-SHAPED DRIP EDGE 

A T-shaped drip edge looks like the letter T. It’s similar to the L-shaped one but has an extra horizontal leg that stretches over the roof deck. This extra part gives more defense against water getting in and ice dams forming.

4. J-SHAPED DRIP EDGE 

J-shaped drip edges look like the letter J. They provide great defense against rain driven by strong winds and are often used in places where severe weather is common.

5- C-SHAPED DRIP EDGE 

C-shaped drip edge flashing is another common type used on roofs. Its name comes from its unique C-shape. This design makes it very good at guiding water away from the roof edge.

BENEFITS OF INSTALLING A DRIP EDGE

If you want to take care of your home and make your roof last longer, think about getting aluminum drip edges. Here are the good things about having them:

  • They help prevent damage to the fascia & soffit: Drip edges move water away from the delicate parts of your roof like the soffit and fascia, directing it into the gutters instead. If these parts stay wet, they might get damaged, leading to stains and wood rot.
  • Drip edges help keep pests from getting into your home: Drip edges fill the space between your roof deck and the fascia board, which is called the “carpenter’s gap.” This gap can let in small animals or pests into your attic, so covering it with drip edges helps keep them out.
  • They help keep your porch dry: Since drip edges guide water into gutters, you don’t have to stress about heavy rain pouring off your roof onto your porch or deck.
  • They help stabilize your roof: Roof edge flashing can make your roof stronger when it’s windy or raining hard. Wind damage is a common reason why homeowners file insurance claims, so this benefit is really important to consider.
  • Drip edges shield your roof from ice dams: Winter can be tough on your roof. Ice dams happen when ice builds up and freezes at the edge of your roof. They stop snow from melting and draining properly. If the snow can’t melt and drain, it builds up and gets stuck on your roof, making it heavier and causing wood to rot. If this moisture gets inside your home, it can cause mildew or mold. Drip edge flashing stops ice dams from forming, which helps protect your roof.

They help protect your basement: When drip edges move water away from your roof, they also keep it from flowing straight down to the ground below, which can be near your basement. Without a drip edge, water can seep into the ground and end up in your basement when it rains hard.

HOW TO INSTALL A DRIP EDGE?

Remember, putting in drip edges is not the same for the edges and the slopes of your roof. First, you add drip edges along the edges of your roof before you put on the underlayer. Then, you do the same for the slopes, but after the underlayer is in place. And we’ll also show you how to cut drip edges for corners and high points in easy steps.

  • Step One: If you’re using a Type C drip edge, you can boost its effectiveness by adding a furring strip. This strip is a small piece of one-by-two wood that you attach vertically just below the roof’s edge. When you put the drip edge over this strip, it keeps the lower part away from the siding, helping to keep water farther from the house.
  • Step Two: Start by installing drip edges on the eaves first. Put the drip edge down, making sure it’s lined up so water flows into the gutters. The part with the flange or flare should point downward and away from the roof.
  • Step Three: Use roofing nails to fasten the drip edge. Nail it up high so the shingles will cover the nails. It’s best to nail about every foot, but never leave more than 16 inches between nails. When you add the next piece of drip edge, let it overlap the first one by an inch.
  • Step Four: When you get to a corner where the eave and rake edge meet, you’ll need to make a cut for it to fit right. Put your drip edge on the rake edge first. Then, mark where the drip edge starts to stick out and go one inch further from that point.
  • Step Five: Cut along the second mark you made to trim the drip edge, leaving just an inch hanging over the edge. Then, cut out the top part of the drip edge up to the first mark. Finally, make a straight cut perpendicular to remove a square section of the drip edge, as shown in the picture.
  • Step Six: After installing the drip edge as usual, fold the flap to make a corner. You’ll finish this corner when you put in the drip edges on the rakes.
  • Step Seven: Once you’ve put the drip edge on the eaves, it’s time for the underlayment. Put it over the drip edge on the eaves but under the drip edge on the rakes.
  • Step Eight: Then, put in the drip edges on the rakes, securing them with nails just like before.
  • Step Nine: When you reach a corner where the rake and eave edge meet, just place the rake’s drip edge on top of the flap you left when putting in the eave’s drip edge.
  • Step Ten: When you reach the roof’s ridge, you’ll need to make another cut in your drip edge. Hold the drip edge up to the ridge and mark where it extends past the roof. Then, use tin snips to make a straight cut along the bottom of the drip edge.
  • Step Eleven: Fold the drip edge to fit over the ridge. Mark the plumb line, or centerline, as shown in the image. Cut along this line at the top of the drip edge to give it a neat finish. Then, use a single nail to secure the outside piece of the drip edge in place.

Always check your local building code to see if there are any additional rules you need to follow when installing drip edges.

HIRE TRUSTED AND RELIABLE ROOFING CONTRACTOR

Are there any signs of damage on your roof? Things like water dripping, missing shingles, mold growth, dented flashings, or drip edges out of place are all signs of trouble. If your roof needs fixing or roof replacing in Michigan, reach out to Certa Roofing. Our skilled team has years of experience with roofs like shingles. Give us a call now to book your free consultation!

CONCLUSION

You can’t really make a wrong choice when it comes to drip edge types. While it’s visible in some roof areas, like along a rake edge, for hipped roofs, it’s mostly hidden. My advice is to pick something that matches your fascia’s color, like aluminum or vinyl. They’re affordable, work well, and will blend with your home’s look wherever they’re visible.

To sum up, regular roof checks are vital for spotting areas that need fixing.

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