The roof on any home does a lot of different jobs.
Your roof keeps out the wind and the rain or snow, of course, but it also has a lot to do with the well-being of other parts of your home and your yard.
When your roof is properly installed, it helps manage water run-off, and it also ensures that your home’s exterior surfaces stay healthy for years to come.
One of the most important parts of your roof is the metal roof drip edge.
This is one of the less visible components in any roof, but it is one of the most critical to the good performance of your roof.
Knowing about the various components of your roof can help you ensure that your home stays warm, cozy, and dry for years to come.
What is a Drip Edge?
The drip edge on your roof is a metal piece of flashing that is installed at the edge of the roof.
It will be placed on both the eaves and the rakes of the roof.
The purpose of this piece of your roof style is to make sure that the water that is collecting on your roof is funneled off the roof.
Standing water on the roof can lead to major issues like water leaks inside your home.
The drip edge also makes sure that water does not puddle against the foundation of your home or pour into your landscaping.
Water management can be critical in most parts of the country, and a drip edge on your home’s roof has a lot to do with the way that water is removed from areas around your home. Water runoff can do an incredible amount of damage if it is not handled in the right way.
Drip edge pieces can be made of various materials, but they are commonly made from metal.
This is a more durable option than some other materials, and it is far less likely to bend or be deformed over time than other softer material types.
Why do I Need a Drip Edge on my Roof?
The drip edge on your roof will help you to manage water runoff from your roofline, and it will also make sure that there isn’t standing water on the surface of your roof.
Your drip edge keeps water from running over the sides of the roof and onto the siding and windows as well.
This kind of protection can make your siding and other exterior home materials last for years rather than months.
The drip edge will also extend the lifespan of your roof. Roofing that is not draining well can be prone to plant growth and moss incursion as well as rot.
An unhealthy roof means an unhealthy home, and you don’t want to leave the longevity of your roof up to chance simply because you didn’t install all of the necessary components to keep water at bay.
You should also be aware that your roof’s drip edge helps with home efficiency.
It can be really expensive to heat and cool a home that doesn’t have a good roof on it.
You might be shocked at just how expensive it is to keep things warm or cool when your home’s roof is in need of attention.
Wet or even damp insulation can harm your home’s efficiency, and these kinds of issues only get exponentially worse the longer you leave your roof problem unattended.
When it comes to cosmetic considerations, your drip edge pieces also make the roofline look more finished and complete.
You might not even realize that you are used to seeing drip edges on rooflines until you see one that doesn’t have this component in place.
What Materials Are Drip Edges Made of?
Aluminum is the most common material used for roof edges.
This is a very sturdy product that can withstand tough weather for years, and that can be easily installed on nearly any kind of roof.
You might also find steel drip edge products in your area or even copper.
Copper can be pretty at first, but it often ages poorly.
There are various designs and styles of drip edge.
The right shape to choose often has a lot to do with the way that your roof is constructed.
Shingled roofs often need different drip edges than roofing that is made with other materials.
You might also have to take the shape and placement of your gutters into consideration when selecting the style of your drip edge.
An experienced roofing team should have no trouble helping you to get the right drip edging in place on your roof.
You do need to be aware that there are so many options with regard to the style and shape of these pieces, however.
Being able to ask about different options can allow you to alter the cosmetic appearance of your roof, and you might prefer one design or style over another.
Installing a New Roof Means Having an Eye for Detail
While you might not realize just how critical the drip edge is on your current roof, you wouldn’t want to skip installing this component in your new roof.
You need to know at least a little bit about the various components and parts that make up a roof so that you can be sure that the roofing team that is handling your re-roofing project is getting all of the steps and stages taken care of.
You might be surprised at just how many people are not at all aware of the pieces and parts that need to be added to a finished roof.
While your roofing company should be well aware of the needs of any installation project, it never hurts to be savvy enough to notice if something seems off.
The damage that can be caused by an incorrectly installed roof means that you need to be sure that there are no issues with your new roof well before the company is done with the installation job.
