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Dan Simms is a contributing writer at USA TODAY Homefront specializing in home repair, renovation and renewable energy. While working as a property manager for one of the largest real estate management firms in New York, Dan worked alongside contractors and renovation specialists to prepare homes for sale. He is an avid DIYer and has completed a shed construction and a bathroom renovation in his own home and investment properties. He lives on Long Island, New York. Reach out to him on LinkedIn.
The best drip edge depends on your area’s average rainfall and your roof’s pitch and material.
Many municipal codes require drip edges to protect your home from water damage.
Experts recommend installing a new roof if you need to replace or install new drip edges.
A roof drip edge is a metal flashing that acts as a barrier between rainwater and building materials — namely, your roof deck and fascia.
There are three types of roof drip edges: Type C, Type D and Type F, also known as L-style, T-style and gutter aprons, respectively. The drip edge that’s right for your home depends on a few factors, including whether your roof has eaves, your area’s average rainfall, and your roof’s pitch and material.
“Having a drip edge is critical,” said Korey Gregory, superintendent of ASAP Restoration, a home renovation company in Tempe, Arizona. “It doesn’t matter what part of the country you are in or what direction your home is facing, a drip edge is a necessary structural element to keep water away from the home’s protective layers.”
While you should consult a local roofing company to confirm which roof drip edge type is best for your home, understanding how the different options function can promote an insightful discussion.
A new asphalt roof can cost $5,000—$10,000.
A metal roof replacement ranges from $7,000 up to $70,000.
Clay tile and slate roofs can cost between $55,200 and $59,800.
Roof drip edges prevent expensive water damage to your home’s structure. “Without a drip edge, water can seep under the roof shingles or tiles, leading to water damage, rot and mold growth,” warned Chris Hock, owner of Earth Saving Solutions, a home renovation company in Denver.
During roof installation, your contractor will install the drip edge at the bottom of each roof slope. The roof underlayment will sit above the drip edge, and the roofing material will go over the underlayment. The drip edge serves to protect your roof and fascia in a few ways:
Roofers can use one of three types of drip edges when installing your roof: Type C, Type D and Type F. Each features a different design and serves a different purpose.
“This type of drip edge has a shape that resembles the letter ‘L’ when viewed from the side,” said Hock. One side of the roof flashing gets fastened to the roof deck, and the other side overhangs the roof’s edge to direct water away from the fascia.
“Type C drip edges are typically used in areas where the roof deck extends beyond the edge of the building, providing a clean edge and directing water away from the fascia,” said Gregory.
Type C drip edges are visible from the ground because they’re most common on properties that don’t have gutters.
“The Type D drip edge has a shape that resembles the letter ‘T’ when viewed from the side,” said Hock. The shape of this drip edge type creates a small overhang that extends from the edge of the roof deck, then curves back toward the fascia and extends away from the home once again.
“Type D drip edges are designed for situations where the roof deck ends flush with the edge of the building, creating a T-shaped profile for water runoff,” said Gregory.
Type F drip edges, also known as gutter aprons, are designed to sit over the fascia to which your gutters are attached. They’re similar in shape to Type C drip edges but extend downward more to sit behind gutters. “They’re ideal for roofs with lower pitches or where aesthetics are a concern,” said Gregory.
Type F drip edges feature an “increased flange size that can overlap the roof decking and also the fascia boards,” said Gregory. They’re “particularly beneficial in areas prone to heavy rainfall or where gutter maintenance may be challenging.”
Roof drip edges are lightweight and can be made from a few different materials:
For drip edges that will be visible from the street, some homeowners choose their material based on preference. However, corrosion resistance is the most important aspect of drip edge material, according to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association.
In many municipalities, building codes require roof drip edges. Even in areas where they aren’t technically required, having your roofing contractor install them is a good idea.
“Drip edges are essential for a properly functioning roofing system, as they help protect the roof and the underlying structure from water damage,” said Hock. “[They] direct water away from the fascia, prevent damage to the roof edge and underlying structure, help protect against ice dams and wind-driven rain and improve the overall longevity and performance of the roof.”
Drip edges also “help maintain shingle or tile alignment, increase the roof’s life span when facing extreme elements and have a finishing aesthetic look,” added Gregory.
There are a few factors that your roofer will consider when choosing a drip edge for your roof.
Your best course of action is to defer to a reliable roofer in your area to determine what roof drip edge type is right for you.
“Determining what drip edge you need will depend on many factors,” said Hock. “We follow the International Residential Code (IRC), International Building Code (IBC) and International Code Council (ICC) code books and engineered plans as general contractors.
“When replacing a roof, we follow current city codes and the manufacturer’s specifications, whichever is more aggressive for a better roofing system,” he said.
It’s technically possible to install a drip edge retroactively. You might be inclined to do this if you have a roof leak, notice rotting fascia boards or are looking to improve your home’s curb appeal. Unfortunately, it’s not recommended.
The drip edge is often the last line of defense against water, so it sits under the roof material and the underlayment. You’d need to remove a significant portion of your roof to access the area for replacement, which could damage other portions of the roof and leave you open to water intrusion anyway.
“The amount of time and energy needed to lift up the old roofing layers in order to install the drip edge would likely negate the potential protection gained from the addition,” said Gregory.
“Moreover, if the roof doesn’t already have a drip edge installed, then there is likely already water damage throughout the edifice, and it might be a better plan to start fresh and do it properly from the beginning.”
Drip edge installation or replacement “can be done as a repair,” added Hock, “but I recommend it be done by a professional. This is typically the very first [roof] component [to get installed], and all others follow it.”
Drip edges are an essential component of your roofing system. If you don’t have drip edges installed, contact a local roofing company. Installing them will likely require a full roof replacement. Your roofing pro will choose the proper drip edges for your roofing material and climate.
You should also contact a roofing pro if you have drip edge flashing but notice damage to your fascia or roof deck, roof leaks, or poor curb appeal because of aging drip edges. Even if repairing them requires a full or partial roof replacement, it’s necessary to avoid ongoing water intrusion problems.
When speaking with your roofing professional, ask about the different types of drip edges and which they recommend for your home based on aesthetics, the amount of rainfall in your area, whether you have gutters and the requirements set by your local building department.
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