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What is a drip edge?

A drip edge is a bent strip of corrosion-resistant metal fixed along a roof's eaves and rake edges, under the shingles, that sheds rain away from the fascia and trim. The International Residential Code has required it on asphalt shingle roofs since its 2012 edition, where that code is adopted.

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By InstaBids editorial team with AI research agents. Updated

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What does a drip edge do?

A drip edge sheds water off the roof edge and away from the fascia, supports the edge of the shingles so they curl less, and helps keep water from getting under the shingle edge and rotting the wood below: “A drip edge provides additional support for the shingles at the perimeter of the roof, minimizing curling, and directs water away from fascia and rake trim.” Source: International Code Council (ICC), read 2026-10-29. “Installation of drip edge at the eaves, gables, and rakes is a common way to help mitigate the potential rotting of wood materials that can result from water getting underneath the edge of the shingles.” Source: Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), read 2026-10-29. “Installing drip edge over the underlayment at all eaves and rakes can help lock the roof in and protect it from moisture intrusion.” Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Building Science Education Solution Center, read 2026-10-29.

How do the ICC and ARMA describe a drip edge?

A drip edge is a long strip of bent, corrosion-resistant metal fixed along the outer edges of a roof, under the shingles, so rain drips clear of the wood trim instead of running back onto it. The International Code Council's guide to the 2012 residential code and the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association describe it this way: “CHANGE SIGNIFICANCE: “Drip edge” is manufactured of corrosion-resistant metal, usually in 10-foot lengths, for installation under asphalt shingles and other roofing materials at the perimeter of the roof.” Source: International Code Council (ICC), read 2026-10-29. “This product is manufactured in various cross-section configurations, but all serve to direct water away from the face trim at the roof line.” Source: International Code Council (ICC), read 2026-10-29. “Drip edges provide efficient water shedding at a shingled roof’s eave, gable, and rake.” Source: Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), read 2026-10-29.

Is drip edge required by code?

On asphalt shingle roofs, yes, wherever the 2012 or a later International Residential Code (section R905.2.8.5) is adopted; the ICC notes the 2012 edition made it a requirement, and states and towns that adopt the 2018 code carry the same rule: “CHANGE SUMMARY: A roof drip edge is now required for asphalt shingles.” Source: International Code Council (ICC), read 2026-10-29. “The IRC now requires a drip edge for all asphalt roof installations and provides direction for its proper installation.” Source: International Code Council (ICC), read 2026-10-29. In Indiana, “The 2020 Indiana Residential Code adopts, and amends, the first printing of the 2018 International Residential Code.” Source: Indiana Department of Homeland Security, State Building Commissioner, read 2026-10-29. In Indiana, the state building commissioner's guidance says: “A drip edge shall be provided at eaves and rake edges of shingle roofs.” Source: Indiana Department of Homeland Security, State Building Commissioner, read 2026-10-29. In Firestone, Colorado, the town's reroof checklist says: “A drip edge is required on all edges, including rakes.” Source: Town of Firestone, Colorado, Building Division, read 2026-10-29. For roofs the code section does not cover, the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association says: “A drip edge is strongly recommended on all shingled roofs and may be required by local building codes.” Source: Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), read 2026-10-29.

Where does drip edge go?

Drip edge runs along two kinds of roof edge: the eaves (the lower, level edges where gutters hang) and the rakes (the sloped edges at the gable ends), as the Texas Department of Insurance summarises the 2018 code: “Section R905.2.8.5 says a drip edge shall be provided at eaves and rake edges of shingle roofs.” Source: Texas Department of Insurance, Windstorm Inspections, read 2026-10-29. “At the rake edges (the sloped edges that are referred to as “gables” in the code text), the drip edge must be installed over the underlayment.” Source: International Code Council (ICC), read 2026-10-29. “In high-wind zones, it is recommended that drip edges be installed at roof eaves and roof rakes.” Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Building Science Education Solution Center, read 2026-10-29.

What is drip edge made of?

Drip edge is made of a corrosion-resistant metal (the trade association and the U.S. Department of Energy both describe metal), and the code sets its size: at least 2 inches up onto the roof deck, with pieces overlapped at least 2 inches: “The drip edge should be made of a corrosion-resistant material that extends a minimum of 2″ (51 mm) onto the roof sheathing and extends downward at least ¼” (6mm) below the roof sheathing.” Source: Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), read 2026-10-29. “Code-compliant metal drip edges should be installed at all eaves and gable rake edges over the fully adhered membrane underlayment.” Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Building Science Education Solution Center, read 2026-10-29. “Adjacent pieces of drip edge shall be overlapped a minimum of 2 inches (51 mm).” Source: International Code Council (ICC), read 2026-10-29.

Is drip edge considered flashing?

In the residential code, yes: the drip edge rule sits in section R905.2.8.5, inside section R905.2.8, Flashing, for asphalt shingles; Indiana's guidance prints both sections as the state adopted them: In Indiana, the state building commissioner's guidance says: “Flashing for asphalt shingles shall comply with this section and the asphalt shingle manufacturer's installation instructions.” Source: Indiana Department of Homeland Security, State Building Commissioner, read 2026-10-29. See the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, State Building Commissioner passage quoted above. In Indiana, “Adjacent segments of drip edge shall be overlapped not less than 2 inches (51 mm).” Source: Indiana Department of Homeland Security, State Building Commissioner, read 2026-10-29.

Does drip edge go over or under underlayment?

Both, depending on the edge: the code puts the underlayment over the drip edge at the eaves and under the drip edge at the rakes, and the DOE's high-wind guidance sets a different order where a fully adhered membrane is used: “Underlayment shall be installed over the drip edge along eaves and under the drip edge on gables.” Source: International Code Council (ICC), read 2026-10-29. “The roof underlayment must be installed over the drip edge along the eaves and under the drip edge at the rake edges of the roof.” Source: Texas Department of Insurance, Windstorm Inspections, read 2026-10-29. “As a general guideline, apply the drip edge underneath the underlayment along the eaves and over the underlayment on the rakes.” Source: Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), read 2026-10-29. “Drip edge is installed after a fully adhered membrane or sheathing tape has been installed.” Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Building Science Education Solution Center, read 2026-10-29.

What does a drip edge look like?

A drip edge shows as a narrow metal strip along the roof edge under the shingles; in cross-section it is an L-shape, or a T- or D-shape that extends outward from the roof edge, with a vertical leg at least 1/4 inch below the sheathing: “The simplest drip edge shape is a 90-degree bent material (Figure 1), occasionally known as an L-shape.” Source: Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), read 2026-10-29. “Other drip edge profiles, sometimes referred to as T- or D-shapes (Figure 2), incorporate a portion that extends outward from the roof edge before returning to match the roof structure.” Source: Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), read 2026-10-29. “The vertical leg of the drip edge shall extend not less than 1/4 inch below the roof sheathing and extend up the slope of the sheathing not less than two inches.” Source: Texas Department of Insurance, Windstorm Inspections, read 2026-10-29. “The thickness of the fascia and the presence of additional wood trim affect the overall profile of the drip edge.” Source: Texas Department of Insurance, Windstorm Inspections, read 2026-10-29.

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