What does a drip edge look like?
Short answer. A drip edge is a long, thin strip of bent metal, usually painted white, brown, black or another trim color, that wraps the edge of the roof where the shingles end. From the ground you see a narrow band of metal between the bottom edge of the shingles and the fascia board, often with a small outward kick at the bottom.
Where to look
- Eaves. The lower edges where gutters hang. The drip edge sits above and slightly behind the gutter, often partly hidden by it.
- Rakes. The sloped edges at the gable ends. Here it shows as a clean metal band running up the side of the roof.
Its shape
Seen from the end, most drip edge is shaped like an L or a T. One leg lies flat on the roof deck under the shingles, and the other turns down over the fascia. T-style profiles have a short outward kick at the bottom that throws water away from the wood. Gutter aprons have a longer leg reaching down into the gutter.
Signs it is missing or failing
- The shingles end at bare wood with no metal visible.
- Dark water stains or peeling paint on the top of the fascia board.
- Soft or rotten fascia at corners and behind gutters.
- A gap between the back of the gutter and the fascia where water runs down the wall.
- Drip edge that is bent, rusting or pulling away from the roof.
Not to be confused with
Rake trim on metal roofs, fascia wraps of aluminum coil stock, and gutter hangers can all look similar from the ground. Fascia wrap covers the face of the board but does not tuck under the shingles, so it does not do the drip edge's job.
Older Georgia homes built before the code required drip edge often have none. See drip edge explained, roof anatomy explained, and gutter sizing and seamless gutters.