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Do you find that water drips behind your gutters?
Are you seeing streaks on your siding?
These issues may be signs that you do not have drip edge on your roof. You may be wondering “Drip edge? What is drip edge?”
Drip edge is an element of your roof that is required by South Carolina code in most areas. But even as a South Carolina code requirement, we’ve come across many roofs that do not have drip edge installed.
Here, we will go into what drip edge is, why it matters, and how much it costs to have drip edge installed during a roof replacement or on your existing roof.
Let’s get into it.
What is Drip Edge and What Does it Do?
Drip edge is a narrow strip of metal that runs along the entire perimeter of your roof. It is placed under your shingles and onto the top of the fascia. Drip edge guides water into your gutters and away from your house.
Without it, rainwater can flow backward under the shingles. This can cause rotting in a number of areas, like:
- Roof decking
- Fascia
- Siding
Drip edge acts as an additional barrier to guide water directly into your gutters and away from your home, so you don’t have water in areas where it can cause unnecessary damage.
How Much Does Drip Edge Cost?
Drip edge is less expensive when it’s installed during a roof replacement rather than having it installed on an existing roof. This is due to the labor involved in having drip edge installed after the fact. When installing drip edge on an existing roof, roofers are required to remove/altar shingles, existing starter strips and underlayment. This becomes extremely tedious.
The Cost of Drip Edge During a Roof Replacement
The average cost to have drip edge installed is around $600 to $700 total for a standard home (a 3,000 square foot roof). However it can change depending on the type of material you have installed.
|
Material |
Estimated Cost |
Features |
|
Galvanized Steel |
$500 to $600 |
Steel can be prone to rust and visible staining on siding. |
|
PVC |
$500 to $600 |
Not widely used because it can degrade under UV light, but still an option for drip edge. |
|
Aluminum |
$600 to $700 |
Aluminum is the most common material used for drip edge. It’s both rust resistant and durable. |
|
Copper |
$3,000 to $4,000 |
Offers a high-end look. Often chosen for aesthetics, but does not add substantial performance benefits. |
These prices reflect drip edge installation along the entire roof perimeter as part of the full roof replacement. This pricing assumes the drip edge is installed seamlessly alongside new underlayment, starter strips, and shingles, with no extra removal or retrofit steps needed.
The Cost of Drip Edge on an Existing Roof
The cost to add drip edge on an existing roof can be anywhere between $3,000 to $4,000, including labor. This is because the process is labor intensive, including:
- Removing or working around existing shingles
- Starter strips and/or underlayment replacement
- Removing gutters or notching drip edge around gutter brackets (if you have existing gutters)
It is also important to note that it may not be worth adding unless you are having active issues. This is because the integrity of the materials at the edge of your roof can be compromised throughout this process.
How to Know if You Need Drip Edge on Your Roof
If you’re in the market for a new roof, a reputable contractor will ensure that your new roof meets the current South Carolina code requirements. This includes drip edge.
If you’ve noticed:
- Rust streaks down your siding
- Rotted fascia or roof decking at the edges
- Moisture signs behind the gutter
- Visible gaps or uplifted shingles at the edge
It may be because you do not currently have drip edge on your roof. These issues should be remedied with the installation of a new roof that includes drip edge. On the other hand, if you have a new roof (1-10 years old) and you do not see signs of damage, adding drip edge is up to your preference.
A Roof Without Drip Edge May Cost More in the Long Run
It’s natural to be concerned about costs associated with your roof replacement. Afterall, a roof is a large expense, often one homeowners do not look forward to. However, if you’ve found yourself curious about drip edge, it may bring some peace to know that this cost is already built into your roof estimate.
Because of this, we highly recommend keeping this crucial element a part of your roof replacement. Without it, you may find yourself making a number of repairs to your soffit and your siding. However, if you’re concerned about the cost of drip edge, it may help to speak to a trusted roofer. And if you haven’t had a roof estimate yet, it may be helpful to see how much your roof would cost, including drip edge.
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