What is a Roof Drip Edge & Why Do I Need One?

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Installed at the edges and corners of your roof, drip edges are essentially L-shaped metal sheets that funnel water away from the fascia and into the eavestroughs and gutter. Damaged or absent drip edges allow water to seep underneath the shingles of your roof which may ultimately result in structural damage to your home.

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Importance of Roof Drip Edges

Drip edges serve a vital function for your roof by channeling water and precipitation away from the fascia (section underneath the eavestrough and edges of roof) and soffits. They achieve this in two primary ways:

  • Prevent water from leaking onto the fascia: By taking advantage of the properties of adhesion and cohesion of water droplets and the forces of gravity, drip edges direct water into the gutter and eavestrough. This serves to avert moisture from your roof’s fascia and soffits and ultimately prevent structural damage and the growth of mold and mildew.

  • Offer protection from high winds: When winds are high enough, they displace the water that’s settled on your roof – potentially compromising its ability to prevent water from leaking into your home. Typically, the shingles and underlayment of your roof prevent this from occurring, but in order to protect the sides of your roof, overhanging drip edges must be properly installed.

Drip Edge Materials

Drip edges are available in a variety of metals and plastics, so as long as you ensure that they are galvanized or resistant to corrosion, they will adhere to most building codes.

  • Aluminum: Non-corrosive and fully customizable, aluminum is the most commonly used drip edge. A potential drawback of aluminum is that it isn’t as durable or long-lasting as steel.

  • Galvanized Steel: As a result of being in constant contact with water, steel drip edges are galvanized to prevent rust.

  • Copper: For a different look or to complement an existing roof design, copper offers a distinct aesthetic.
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Drip Edge Profile Types

While there may be many drip edges profile types available, the following are the most commonplace:

  • Type C: Shaped in a 90-degree, “L” configuration, it has a lower flange at the bottom that wards off water running along the edge of your roof.

  • Type D: The profile is bent to a T formation and is generally known to be preferable to the Type C counterpart as it keeps water further away from the fascia by extending outwards.

  • Type F: Crafted into a “F” shape, this drip edge has a longer leading edge, which comes in handy when installing new drip edges over pre-existing shingles.
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Building Code Requirements

Due to the indispensable role that drip edges play in protecting your roof from moisture, they are mandatory in many states, New York included. According to Drip Edge Code, the drip edge shall extend a minimum of a quarter inch (6.4 mm) down the eavestrough and a minimum of two inches (51 mm) over the deck. A minimum of two inches (51 mm) of the metal should overlap and is required to be secured by fasteners every foot (305 mm) on center.

About Rapid Restore

Our mission at Rapid Restore is to provide a stress-free, refreshingly simple, world-class roof installation experience for our customers in Long Island, NY. We look forward to protecting you. With over 110+ 5 star reviews on Google, you can trust the expert roofing contractors at Rapid Restore to replace your roof on-time and within budget.

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Picture of Joseph Elshazly
Joseph Elshazly
Joseph Elshazly is the President and Chief Marketing Officer of Rapid Restoration Group. "Skills are cheap, passion is priceless" is the motto he lives by.

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