What Is Drip Edge? Types, Sizes and Code Requirements
Quick answer: Drip edge is bent metal flashing installed along roof edges to send water off the roof and away from the fascia. Size the deck flange and fascia face to the applicable code, manufacturer detail and roof edge. The main types are L-style, T-style and gutter apron, and the IRC requires drip edge on shingle roofs.
Key takeaways
- Drip edge protects the deck edge and fascia and steers water into the gutter or clear of the wall.
- Three common profiles: L-style (simple angle), T-style (with a kick-out) and gutter apron (long face that reaches into the gutter).
- Whatever the size, the IRC requires at least 2 inches onto the deck and at least 1/4 inch below the sheathing for shingle roofs.
- Drip edge belongs on both eaves and rakes; rake flashing is the general name for metal on the sloped edges.
- The model IRC addresses shingle drip edge; confirm the adopted edition and amendments for your address.
What is drip edge on a roof?
Drip edge on a roof is a long strip of metal, usually aluminum or galvanized steel, bent so one leg lies flat on the roof deck and the other leg turns down over the fascia. It runs along every edge of the roof and sits under the shingles.
Drip edge is supplied in straight lengths and is cut, lapped and nailed along the eaves and rakes before or during shingle installation. From the ground, it is the thin metal line between the shingle edge and the fascia or gutter.
What is the purpose of drip edge?
The purpose of drip edge is to keep water from getting behind the roof edge. Without it, water flowing off shingles clings to the underside of the edge by surface tension, runs back under the shingle overhang, and soaks the deck edge and fascia.
Drip edge does five jobs:
- Breaks the water's path so it drips clear of the fascia or into the gutter.
- Protects the deck edge from wicking water and rot.
- Supports the shingle overhang so the first course does not sag or curl.
- Holds underlayment down at the rakes against wind-driven rain.
- Covers the edge of the roof deck as part of the perimeter detail.
Roof drip edge types: L-style, T-style and gutter apron
There are three common roofing drip edge types, and they differ mainly in the shape of the face. Suppliers sometimes use letter names (such as type C, D and F), but those names are not universal, so compare the profile drawing rather than the label.
| Type | Profile | Best use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| L-style | A simple 90-degree angle, sometimes with a small hem | Rakes; eaves with no gutter | Compare the actual profile and water path |
| T-style | Angle with an outward kick-out at the bottom of the face | Eaves, especially over gutters | Throws water farther from the fascia |
| Gutter apron | Longer face that angles down into the gutter | Eaves with gutters | Bridges the gap between roof edge and gutter back |
T-style drip edge has a projecting profile intended to help direct water away from the fascia. A gutter apron is chosen where the gutter sits slightly low or away from the roof edge, so water would otherwise fall behind it. For how these pieces interact with gutters, see roof flashing repair.
Drip edge sizes and dimensions
Drip edge has a flange on the roof deck and a face below its edge. Choose dimensions from the adopted code, manufacturer details and the actual eave or rake geometry, not a product nickname.
| Measurement | Typical range | What it must do |
|---|---|---|
| Roof flange | Select to meet the adopted detail | Extend at least 2 inches onto the deck (IRC, shingle roofs) |
| Face | Select to meet the adopted detail | Cover the deck edge and extend at least 1/4 inch below the sheathing |
| Kick-out (T-style) | Profile-specific; check the manufacturer | Push water clear of the fascia |
| Length | Check supplied length | Lap each joint at least 2 inches |
Use a large drip edge or extended-face profile when the deck is built up with extra layers, when a thick fascia board needs covering, or when the face must reach down into a gutter. The roof flange measurement matters because the IRC's 2-inch minimum is measured on the deck, and the flange must sit under the shingles where the nails will be covered.
Metal thickness also varies. Aluminum drip edge is lighter and will not rust; galvanized steel is stiffer and resists denting. Use fasteners compatible with the metal to avoid corrosion.
Rake edge vs drip edge and what rake flashing is
The rake edge is a location; drip edge is a product. Rake edges are the sloped sides of a gable roof, and the drip edge installed there is called rake drip edge.
Rake flashing is the general term for metal that finishes the rake. On shingle roofs, ordinary drip edge is used on rakes, installed over the underlayment. On metal roofs, the equivalent part is a rake trim or gable trim shaped to the panel profile. On some homes, a separate rake board (trim) sits under the drip edge on the gable end.
Drip edge on rakes differs from drip edge on eaves in two ways: it goes over the underlayment rather than under it, and each upper piece laps over the lower one so water running down the rake passes over the joints. The install sequence is in our guide to roof flashing repair.
Drip edge and flashing: how they work together
Drip edge is one type of flashing, the metal that seals transitions where shingles alone cannot shed water. It handles the perimeter, while step flashing, counterflashing, valley metal, headwall flashing and kick-out flashing handle walls, chimneys and valleys.
The pieces must lap in the right order. Where a roof edge meets a sidewall, for example, the kick-out flashing at the bottom of the step flashing sends water into the gutter instead of down the siding, and the drip edge below it carries that water off the eave. If any one piece is missing, water finds the gap. Ask about roof flashing repair for failed or missing edge metal.
When did drip edge become code?
The 2024 International Residential Code includes drip-edge provisions for asphalt shingles at eaves and rakes. The applicable requirement at your property depends on the locally adopted edition and amendments, so the model code is a reference rather than proof of the local rule.
Code requirements only apply once a city or county adopts that edition. Cities across Central Texas adopt IRC editions on their own schedules and may amend them, so confirm the current requirements with the building department for your address. On a roof replacement, new drip edge is normally installed at every eave and rake regardless of what was there before.
Choosing drip edge colors and materials
Choose drip edge color to match either the fascia or the gutters, so the metal line disappears. Common roof drip edge colors include white, almond, brown, bronze, black, gray and mill or galvanized finishes, with wider color ranges available from trim coil manufacturers.
- Matching fascia: makes the edge read as one band of trim.
- Matching gutters: common when gutters are a contrasting color.
- Matching shingles: dark drip edge with dark shingles minimizes the line from the street.
Choose the material for the roof assembly and exposure. Aluminum does not develop iron rust, but it can corrode. Galvanized steel is stiffer and holds a crisp line on long runs. Keep metals compatible with gutters and fasteners to avoid galvanic corrosion. On a new roof installation, drip edge color is chosen with the shingles and gutters.
Verify the detail, not just the product name
The 2024 IRC roof-assembly chapter specifies drip edge at asphalt-shingle eaves and rakes, including minimum extension onto the deck and below the sheathing. The same section addresses placement relative to underlayment. Your local adopted code and roofing manufacturer’s instructions must be checked together.
Ask the installer to identify eave and rake details in the proposal and explain how water reaches the gutter without entering behind the fascia. Existing gutters can hide this junction. A larger metal face does not correct rotten decking or a badly positioned gutter. Inspect and repair the supporting materials before concealing them. Do not lift sealed shingles or work from the roof edge to check the installation yourself.
Frequently asked questions
What is drip edge used for?
Drip edge is used to direct water off the roof edge and away from the fascia, and to protect the edge of the roof deck. Its angled face makes water drip clear of the trim or into the gutter instead of curling back under the shingles. It also supports the shingle overhang and covers the exposed deck edge.
What size drip edge do I need?
Choose a drip edge whose roof flange reaches at least 2 inches onto the deck and whose face covers the top of the fascia and extends at least 1/4 inch below the sheathing. Check the actual product dimensions; the word “standard” does not establish compliance. Use a larger face or gutter apron where you need to bridge a gap to the gutter or cover thicker decking.
What is the difference between T-style and L-style drip edge?
L-style drip edge is a simple right-angle bend: one leg on the deck, one down the fascia. T-style profiles have a projecting edge intended to direct water away from the fascia; naming varies by supplier. T-style generally sheds water better and is common on eaves, while L-style is often used on rakes.
Is drip edge required by code in Texas?
The 2024 International Residential Code includes drip-edge requirements for asphalt shingle eaves and rakes. Texas jurisdictions adopt and amend codes, so confirm the applicable edition and requirements with the authority for your property. Do not infer that every Texas address follows an identical rule.
Do you need drip edge on rakes?
Under the International Residential Code, yes: drip edge is required on both eaves and rakes of asphalt shingle roofs. On rakes it is installed over the underlayment, where it holds the underlayment edge down against wind-driven rain and protects the rake board from water running off the side of the roof.
Not sure your roof has drip edge?
Missing, bent or separated edge metal deserves assessment. Texas Professional Roofing offers a free, no-obligation roof inspection in Austin with photo documentation. Call (512) 910-4110 to schedule.