What Is the Purpose of a Roof Drip Edge?
Roof designs have largely stayed the same over the last 100 years. Fascia, shingles, gutters, and downspouts are all elements important to a roof’s durability and longevity, but many new innovations have improved roof designs immensely and are now vital components of any high-quality roofing system.
Roof drip edges are one of those newer roofing elements that now play an important role in roof integrity. The International Code Council did not begin requiring drip edges on new roofs until 2012, which means your roof may not have one.
Learning the purpose of a roof drip edge can help you better understand your roofing system as a whole, shaping your future roof installation and repair decisions. For professional roofing services in Farmington, MN, call Elite Remodeling Services today at 952-646-2480.
What Is a Roof Drip Edge?
A drip edge is a piece of flashing installed under the shingles along the edge of a roof. The drip edge is shaped at an angle to divert water away from the fascia, preventing water damage to the fascia board.
Drip edges hang a few inches over the side of the roof, typically spanning about one-third of the width of your gutters. Roofing contractors can install them on the gable, eaves, and rake. You may not be able to see your drip edge from the ground, as your gutters will block your view.
Manufacturers make drip edges from a wide range of materials, like:
- Metal
- Galvanized steel
- Copper
- Aluminum
- Fiberglass
- Plastic
- Vinyl
With any of these materials, manufacturers design the drip edge to be extremely durable, lasting at least as long as the rest of the roof.
If you purchased a new roof in 2012 or later, it likely has drip edges. If it doesn’t, your roofing contractor may be able to install them under your existing roofing system. But in some cases, it makes more sense to wait until you replace your roof to add the drip edges.
What Does a Drip Edge Do for Your Roof?
The main purpose of a roof drip edge is to keep water moving off your roof, into the gutters, and away from your home. Drip edges pose several more specific benefits for your roofing and property:
- Prevent water damage to soffit and fascia: Your roof’s soffit and fascia are integral components, but they are vulnerable to damage from excessive moisture. Drip edges keep water moving away from the roof and off of these areas.
- Keep pests out of your attic: Drip edges cover the space between the roof deck and fascia, which is a common area for small pests to enter.
- Prevent ice dams: Ice dams sometimes form in the winter during periods of frequent freezing and thawing, but the design of a drip edge helps prevent these hazards from forming.
Notably, not all roof designs require a drip edge. Metal roofing, for example, already features an overhang design that takes the place of a roof drip edge.
Common Types of Drip Edges
Roof drip edges come in a few different styles. Your roofing contractor will recommend the right style for the design and shape of your roof:
- C-style: These drip edges resemble the letter C and are common on roofs without fascia boards. Their curved shape provides a layer of protection for the roof edge and effectively diverts water into the gutters.
- L-style: L-style drip edges include a 90-degree bend and are the most common designs. The sharp bend makes them ideal for roofs with low inclines that are at risk of standing water near the roof edges.
- T-style: These drip edges have a triangular shape that dips back toward the house, creating a downward motion that propels water off the roof line.
Call Elite Remodeling Services for a Free Roofing Inspection
Are you considering adding a roof drip edge to your roof line? Our roofing contractors would be happy to assist you. Call 952-646-2480 to schedule a free roof inspection with Elite Remodeling Services.
