When you think of your home’s roof, you probably visualize shingles. However, there are several other components of the roof. Drip edge is the flashing that protects the edges of your roof all around, including both the eaves and the gable ends. If you have questions about drip edge, or any other parts of your roof, call Cox Roofing. We are a professional roofing company in Baltimore and we proudly stand behind our work.
Importance of Drip Edges
Drip edges are important to the durability of your roof. They protect the wooden structure underneath the roofing shingles from water. If water gets in during rainy or snowy weather, it damages the wood and causes rot.
Additionally, drip edges were added to the building codes to keep the standards of their usage defined. A professional roofing company will ensure that you got the right drip edges installed on your roof. Cox Roofing installs only quality materials, the standard sizes and the right colors to match with your roofing shingles.
Building Code Specifications for Drip Edges
As by International Building Codes (IBS) of 2012, drip edges became mandatory for any shingle roof. The requirements include:
- Each piece of the drip edge must be fastened to the roof deck at a maximum of 305 mm or 12 inches apart.
- Drip edge location is significant. On the eaves, the roof underlayment goes over the drip edge. While the gable, it goes over the underlayment.
- Adjacent pieces must be overlapped a minimum of 51 mm or 2 inches.
- The metal must extend a minimum of 6.4 mm to 0.25 inches beyond the roof sheathing and extend up to the roof deck a minimum of 2 inches or 51 mm.
Flashing vs Drip Edge
In simple terms, flashing is the general term used for a metal that is put where roofing meets the roof edge or end of a wall to prevent rain drops from getting under the shingles. However, drip edge prevents wind from blowing rainwater back up the shingles.
Contact Cox Roofing Company in Baltimore
At Cox Roofing but we are proud to say that HomeAdvisor rated as a top roofing company in Baltimore. Our services range from residential roofing, siding, gutters and we also install and repair commercial roofing. For a free estimate, click here.
