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Drip Edge
Protect eaves, fascia and rakeboards
Drip edge or edging is nailed along eaves and up the outer sides of your roof beneath your roofing material.
It comes in different materials, gauge of thickness and colors just as your gutters do.
Aluminum, galvanized and embossed aluminum are most common. There are two basic styles of drip edge depending on your desired protection
and type of roof you are installing. One kind has a hemmed edge that overhangs your roofs edge and the other type is installed flush against
your roofs eave.
Flat roofs typically use a slag stop or raised lip for sides especially if there is built in
roof drainage. Most drip edge is made at a 90 degree angle, although there are some designed with less of an angle for different
pitches and protection. Vented drip edge is available for homes with little or no soffit vent area. Ten foot lengths are standard for
most edging.
Installing Drip Edge
Learning how to install drip edge is quite easy. Two people make the installation much easier. Tools you will need are a hammer, roofing nails
and tin snips.
Pick a corner along the eave to start. You will be installing your front drip edge before you paper your roof as your felt paper will then lap
onto your edge. Some roofers will cut a miter for corner pieces, but it's not vital on your front drip edge. Make sure the edging is snug against the roof plane. Nail each end first. This will ensure as straight an edge
as possible along the eave. Lap the next piece about 1 inch onto the one installed. Tap it into place with the handle of your hammer if needed.
Nail the lap. When you get to the end, pre-cut your drip edge to fit flush on the end of your roof.
Now, finish applying your felt paper and any ice and water shield as the outside drip edge will be installed on top of this. To start your rake edging pieces be sure and start at the bottem of the roof. Cutting a 45 degree miter for your starting piece will ensure a tighter fit. Lap your pieces like before till you get near the peak.
| Fig 1. | Fig 2. |
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To install the peak piece of drip edge, cut a "V" from the lower half of your edging. (Fig. 1) This is where the bend will take place in order to mold your drip edge over
the peak (Fig 2). After molding it over the peak, be sure the drip edge from the other side of your roof laps under the molded piece. Nail down the lap
on the other side.
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An often overlooked piece of prevention, drip edge is added protection for your roof!