How to Install Drip Edge: Eaves, Rakes, Corners and Overlaps
Quick answer: To install drip edge, nail it to the bare deck along the eaves first, then roll underlayment over it. On the rakes, install underlayment first and put drip edge over it. Use the lap dimensions, attachment and corner details required by the adopted code and the exact roofing system; enhanced wind systems may specify different details.
Key takeaways
- Eave drip edge goes under the underlayment; rake drip edge goes over it.
- Use the lap dimensions and corner details specified for the exact roofing system and local requirements.
- Follow the approved edge-metal fastening detail, including fastener compatibility, spacing and location.
- Retrofitting drip edge may require replacing edge shingles or underlayment to restore the proper drainage sequence.
- Have the contractor confirm the adopted code and manufacturer detail for the property.
Where does drip edge go on a roof?
For an asphalt-shingle roof, drip edge is used at the eaves and rake edges as specified by the roofing system and local requirements. The eave is the lower edge of a slope; the rake is the sloping edge of a gable. Edge metal helps direct water away from the deck edge and into the intended drainage path.
Confirm the metal profile, flange dimensions, lap and fastening detail before work starts. A generic dimension is not a substitute for the approved assembly. The relationship to the underlayment matters as much as the visible face. Our roof-edge flashing guidance provides context for assessing that connection.
Drip edge before or after felt?
Drip edge goes before felt at the eaves and after felt at the rakes. The rule follows the water.
- Eaves: Water running down the underlayment must land on top of the metal. So the drip edge is nailed to the bare deck first, and the felt or synthetic underlayment laps over its flange.
- Rakes: Wind-driven rain can blow sideways under the edge. Putting the drip edge over the underlayment clamps the felt down and keeps water from getting under it at the side edge.
| Edge | Install order | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Eave | Deck, drip edge, underlayment, starter strip, shingles | Water on the underlayment flows onto the metal and into the gutter |
| Rake | Deck, underlayment, drip edge, shingles | Metal clamps the underlayment edge against wind-driven rain |
How to install drip edge on eaves and rakes
Installation should follow the specified assembly and start with sound supporting materials. The following is a scope checklist to discuss with the contractor, rather than a universal fastening recipe.
- Check the deck edge and fascia for damage before covering them.
- Identify the approved metal profile and compatible fasteners.
- Confirm how the eave metal integrates with underlayment, starter and shingles.
- Form straight-run laps and corners using the manufacturer’s detail, preserving the intended water path.
- Integrate rake metal with the underlayment and shingles as specified.
- Check the finished connection to gutters or other drainage details.
If the approved assembly differs from the general eave-under/rake-over explanation, obtain its written detail and confirm it is applicable to the project. Do not mix parts of unrelated installation systems.
Where to nail drip edge
Fastener location, type and spacing should come from the approved edge-metal and roof-system detail. Confirm the supporting deck is sound and the fasteners are compatible with the metal. The visible face is not a substitute fastening location simply because it is easier to reach.
Ask the contractor to show how fasteners will be covered or protected within the assembly and how the metal will accommodate its specified joints. A crushed flange, damaged coating or hole in the wrong location can undermine the intended detail. Inspect the workmanship against the chosen instructions, not a universal nail count.
Drip edge overlap and how to do drip edge corners
Laps and corners should continue the intended water-shedding path. On a sloped rake, the upper piece must integrate with the lower piece so runoff is not directed behind the metal. At eave-to-rake transitions, the corner detail must protect the deck and fascia without leaving a gap in the drainage path.
Use the selected profile’s lap and corner instructions. Some assemblies use formed field corners; others have specific accessories. Do not select an overlap merely because it hides a joint from the street. The contractor should explain how the detail meets the roof-system and local requirements before installation.
Installing drip edge after shingles are on
Retrofitting drip edge requires checking whether the existing shingles and underlayment can be lifted and restored without damage. Brittle, adhered or deteriorated materials may require replacement at the edge. Temperature affects handling, but there is no universally safe season or morning temperature for every shingle.
At an eave, do not reverse the required layer order and rely on sealant to compensate. If the underlayment cannot be integrated correctly, open the edge sufficiently to reconstruct the specified assembly. Have the professional include replacement materials and resealing requirements in the scope rather than promising a simple slide-in repair.
Photographs before and after the edge work can help document the sequence. The visible metal face alone does not show whether the concealed layers were installed correctly.
How to replace drip edge without removing shingles
Whether shingles can remain depends on their condition and the existing assembly. Have a roofer assess the concealed fasteners, underlayment and deck edge before attempting removal. Cutting hidden fasteners or prying beneath brittle shingles can enlarge the repair.
If the edge must be opened, the scope should include restoring every disturbed layer using compatible materials. During a roof replacement or new roof installation, the installer can plan those layers together. For an isolated repair, ask how the work connects with the undisturbed roof and gutter; our flashing repair information explains the broader assessment.
Safety note: heat, ladders and roof edges
Drip edge work exposes workers to roof-edge fall hazards. Use fall protection on any roof work, set ladders on firm ground at a 4-to-1 angle extending at least 3 feet above the edge, and never lean out past the ladder rails. In a Texas summer, shingles and metal get hot enough to burn skin, and footing on hot shingles is less secure; work early, wear gloves and drink water.
Call a professional when the roof is steep or two stories, when shingles are brittle or under a manufacturer warranty, or when the deck or fascia is damaged. Edge metal is part of our flashing repair work.
Why the exact roof system matters
IKO’s general installation guide describes the familiar eave-under and rake-over underlayment sequence. Use that explanation to understand the drainage path, then obtain the instructions for the actual assembly specified on your property. Do not combine details from unrelated systems.
Before work begins, identify the shingle, underlayment and edge detail being used, then confirm the local requirements. The dimensions discussed here are a general explanation, not authorization to override a more specific approved system. A retrofit may require lifting or replacing edge shingles and underlayment to restore the correct sequence; sliding metal beneath the visible shingle edge is not enough by itself.
Frequently asked questions
Does drip edge go over or under the underlayment?
The general asphalt-shingle detail places eave drip edge beneath underlayment and rake drip edge over it. Use the exact approved roofing-system detail because enhanced assemblies may differ. The goal is to maintain the specified water-shedding sequence; a retrofit must restore that sequence rather than compensate for reversed layers with sealant.
How much should drip edge overlap?
Use the overlap required by the approved roof assembly, edge-metal instructions and applicable local code. Requirements can differ among standard and enhanced wind systems. Ask the contractor to identify the written detail and ensure the lap sheds water correctly. Do not select a lap dimension solely from a generic online example.
Can drip edge be installed after shingles?
Sometimes, but the roof edge must allow the required layer sequence to be restored. Brittle shingles or stuck underlayment may need replacement. Do not slide metal over the wrong layer and rely on sealant as a substitute for proper integration. A roofer should assess the existing materials and provide a written retrofit scope.
How far apart should drip edge nails be?
The approved assembly determines fastener spacing, type and location. Have the installer confirm the applicable code and manufacturer instructions for the actual edge metal, deck and roofing system. Also check material compatibility and the condition of the supporting deck. A universal spacing recommendation cannot replace the project-specific detail.
Is drip edge required by code?
Confirm the locally adopted code and the shingle system instructions for your address. Model-code provisions for asphalt shingles address drip edge, but local adoption and approved assemblies determine the actual requirement. Ask the contractor to name the applicable detail and include edge metal in the written scope rather than relying on a historical code-edition claim.
Get the roof edge done right
A drip edge installed in the wrong order can send water behind the gutter for years before anyone notices. Texas Professional Roofing offers a free, no-obligation roof inspection in Austin with photo documentation. Ask about the roof-edge assessment scope when scheduling. Call (512) 910-4110 to schedule.