Drip edge is one of the most essential components of a roofing system, but it’s also one of the easiest elements for homeowners to overlook. This small but mighty strip of waterproof material runs along the edges of your roof over the fascia, which supports your gutters.
A properly installed and maintained drip edge stops water runoff, ice dams, and other types of moisture from seeping down into your fascia, soffit, shingles, and walls. In fact, the EPA considers it a top method for maintaining water-tightness in residential homes.
Below, Roof Maxx explains how to choose the right type for your home, make sure it’s installed correctly, and maintain it over the years. We’ll also share how applying Roof Maxx can support your drip edge flashing by restoring the condition and resilience of your asphalt shingles—so that your whole roof continues to protect your home.
In technical roofing terms, “drip edge” is just a fancy word for a specific type and style of flashing. Like most other types, it’s made from rugged, weatherproof materials that help lock out moisture and protect your home from moisture, pests, and the elements.
For maximum protection, drip edge flashing should be installed along all exposed roof edges, including your eaves, gable ends, and rake edges. To protect your home, it must be measured, cut, and properly installed to fit your roof.
Drip edge comes in three main types: L-shaped, T-shaped, and C-shaped. The terminology can get a bit confusing, here, because there’s no universal naming convention—so we’ve attached a handy graphic and a description of each type here, along with the most common names they go by:
A number of companies across North America offer custom-fabricated drip flashing for unique roofing setups, like heritage architecture or cornice molding. This isn’t practical for most homeowners because it’s so expensive and challenging to design—but it can be helpful if your home isn’t a good fit for any of the types above.
Most modern building codes require drip edge flashing to be made from durable, corrosion-resistant metal like aluminum, galvanized steel, or copper. These materials are now industry standard across the U.S. thanks to their long lifespan and reliability.
Plastic or rubber-based systems were much more common in the early 2000s, but they’ve largely fallen out of favor in residential roofing. Today, non-metal alternatives like these are really only used for commercial roofs or as a stop-gap measure for temporary repairs.
Material | Pros | Cons | Best For |
Aluminum |
|
| Most residential roofs |
Galvanized Steel |
|
| Areas where durability matters (e.g., high winds) |
Copper |
|
| High-end homes and historic restorations |
Vinyl/Plastic |
|
| Low-budget or temporary fixes |
Rubberized Membranes |
|
| Specialized applications only |
For the vast majority of homeowners, aluminum drip edge flashing is an effective, durable, and reliable choice that won’t break the bank. You’re better off choosing galvanized steel if you live in areas with frequent hurricanes or extreme temperatures.
While you can technically install a new drip edge on an existing roof, it’s much more common for this element to be installed during initial construction. The installation process can be very complicated and requires meticulous planning and attention to detail, so it isn’t really a DIY-friendly project (unless you’re already a pro!).
As always, we don’t recommend doing roofing work by yourself—not only can climbing on top of your own rooftop be dangerous, but it also runs the risk of voiding important warranties. But if you must climb up there for some reason, be sure to read this guide on staying safe:
Read More: Roof Fall Protection: How to Stay Safe While on Your Roof
The edges of your roof must be clean and free from damage like fascia rot or warped decking. If you have issues like these, you’ll need to have them fixed first.
Drip edge flashing is laid along the roofline in a way that causes it to extend out horizontally over the edges of your roof. It should typically overlap the roof deck by at least 2 inches at the seams for optimal protection.
Roofing nails or screws placed approximately 12–16 inches apart are driven through the drip edge and the roof deck. This secures the drip edge in place and makes it more resistant to wind shear and other environmental forces.
Caulk or roofing cement is carefully applied to any areas that overlap or where two different materials meet (e.g., the edge of the drip flashing) to prevent leaks. Water only needs a few millimeters of space to leak down into your roof and home, so don’t skip this step!
Once the job is complete, your roofer should carefully check that any drip edge is properly aligned and securely fastened into place. Testing your drip edge, whether it’s new or old, is fairly simple: use a garden hose to simulate rain, then follow the path of the runoff carefully.
Drip edge is relatively low-maintenance, and in most cases, you can expect it to last several decades. Clearing out any leaves, dirt, and ice buildup is the best way to maintain it from the homeowner’s perspective because this is what traps moisture along the edges of your roof.
Regular inspections will always be your best defense against drip edge problems. Just taking the time to carefully look for issues like lifting, shifts in alignment, detached panels, and rust now and again will help you spot minor issues before they turn into costly damage.
Not sure what to look for, or don’t want to climb up on your roof? Stay safe by calling in a professional roofer to handle the task for you. We recommend calling someone at least once a year and after any serious storms.
Your drip edge and asphalt roof work together as a system. When one area begins to weaken or fail, the other will eventually follow suit. Issues like curling shingles, granule loss, and cracks or breaks around the edges of your roof will let water bypass your flashing and leak directly into your roof—or your home.
The best way to avoid these issues is to keep your asphalt shingles in good condition by rejuvenating them every few years, and we can help! Roof Maxx’s all-natural, eco-friendly solution re-infuses your shingles with the petrochemical oils they lose over time, making them flexible and supple again. Find out how it works and why it can extend the life of your roof by up to 15 years.
Proper installation is the best defense against most drip edge problems, but all systems will eventually need repairs or replacement. By keeping a close eye out for loose sections, corrosion, and misalignment, you can spot and fix issues before they get bad.
Whenever the flange is totally off, rusting out, or hanging by a thread.
If water has been getting behind the drip edge for an extended period, leading to fascia rot or underlayment failure, or if the drip edge is significantly misaligned.
If the metal is pitted, flaking, has holes, or is substantially weakened by the rust, it’s better to replace the whole section with new drip edge material.
Drip edge may not be the most exciting part of your roof, and it won’t win you any awards for curb appeal, but you’re almost guaranteed to learn a very expensive lesson if you skip or neglect it. Water, which always follows the path of least resistance, will eventually leak through into your roof, leading to early replacement—or worse.
Want even better protection? Pair proper roof care strategies like drip edge maintenance with Roof Maxx’s innovative, eco-friendly roof rejuvenation treatment. Connect with a dealer in your area now for a free no-obligation quote.
With our five-year, transferable warranty, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that your roof and entire home are protected.
Roof Maxx Technologies LLC
