What is drip edge

As we always suggest, look for the best roofing company in your area to ensure your roofing work is done properly. Not all work is created equal.

As we stated above the main key purpose of installing drip edge is to direct water away from the fascia. Water droplets stick to one another and to the surfaces they are on, it is designed to work with gravity allowing water to be forced into the gutters. Even if a home has no gutters, water will still be forced away and not collected down the fascia or soffit cavity.

Without it water would stick to the shingles, working its way underneath and causing leaks. Wind driven rain is a serious condition in which the wind forcefully pushes water all around the roof of a home.

Strong winds can easily push water upwards and the drip edge must compete to keep the water out. There should be about inches of lower flange hanging off the edge of the roof to combat wind driven rain so the roof does not become compromised. Usually it is made from numerous types of materials such as plastics and metals, the metals must be corrosion resistant or galvanized. Copper: Many people choose copper because of its aesthetics, it has a beautiful golden color that makes the roof pop.

Aluminum is a very common material used. Although it is not as strong as steel aluminum does not corrode and it is often made in many colors that match many homes. Is it necessary? Drip edge is metal flashing installed at the edges of the roof. They are non-corrosive and non-staining, so your roofing system is kept looking good and stable. A drip edge should be placed on the whole perimeter of the roof, especially the corners, as much as possible.

They have a small metal flange that is bent away from the fascia board. Drip edging directs water away from the fascia and into the gutter to prevent damage to the roofing underlayments of your house.

Here are the many benefits of a drip edge, reasons exactly why you should have them:. Drip edges under the building code are required to be non-porous, resistant to corrosion, or be galvanized.

You can also find some constructed out of durable plastic, vinyl, or fiberglass. The recommended choice would be ones made of either these metals:. An aluminum roof drip edge may not be as strong as steel. They also come in colors that are sure to match the rest of your home. If they are made of steel, they need to be galvanized to prevent rust. Since steel is lightweight, consider a minimum gauge steel. This is so that the drip edge can withstand strong winds. Copper is the grandfather of all metals.

It is sturdy and long-lasting. It also gives your roof a unique look. When used as a drip edge, it should be a minimum of 0. There are many styles and types of drip edges available for your shingles or whatever roofing system you have. These roof drip edges are curved like the letter and roll water away from the roofing deck. They are placed under the roofing material, under the decking. C-shaped edges are often used for roofs with no fascia boards. What if you need to replace the drip edge on an existing roof or install a drip edge on an existing roof for the first time?

Just as with installing drip edges on new roofs, you should check with your local building codes to see if there are special rules you have to follow about drip edge replacement. In years past, many building codes did not require drip edges; but the roofing community realized that these relatively inexpensive products make a big difference in the performance of the roof.

All rights reserved. The information on this website is subject to change without notice. IKO assumes no responsibility for errors that may appear on this website. IKO strives to accurately reproduce the screen images of the shingle swatches and house photos shown.

However, due to manufacturing variances, the limitations of your monitor resolution and the variation in natural exterior lighting, actual colors may vary from the images you see. To ensure complete satisfaction you should make final color selections from several full size shingles and view a sample of the product installed on a home. Please refer to our Legal Notices for U.

Location set to view all. Show All Products. Guide to Drip Edges for Shingle Roofs. Drip edges have two key purposes: Direct water away from fascia: Due to cohesion, surface tension and other forces, water droplets tend to stick to one another and to the surfaces they are on, albeit slightly. A drip edge is designed to take advantage of those forces and, along with gravity, direct water into the gutter. If the home has no gutter, the drip edge will prevent the water from running down the fascia and onto or into the soffit cavity.

However, without the drip edge, the water sticks to shingles, potentially working its way under the shingles to cause a leak. For example, water may cling to the fascia, which may cause rot, or, in severe conditions, a leak into the home. Protect from wind-driven rain: When conditions are serious, the wind pushes water around on a roof. You can learn more about common roofing components, issues and terms by following these links. Step Flashing. Architectural Shingles. Roof Pitch. Ridge Vent. Match the colors for a smarter finish.

Roof Repair. Roof Replacement. How Roofing Process Works. Roof Financing. Roof Replacement Cost.