As is well known, the roof is one of the most important elements of any house, it both protects the entire structure and prevents heat from escaping from the interior. When constructing a roof, we make sure that it is made solidly and professionally, we choose the best tiles and perfectly fitting gutters, however, there is also a small part of the roof that we often forget about.
Drip edge flashing is a small strip located at the border of the roof, which is usually made of aluminum. Many people may not even notice it, however, there is no denying that it performs a very important function - it improves the drainage of water from the roof surface. In today's article, we will take a closer look at aluminum flashings, so if you are interested in this topic be sure to stay with us!
What is a drip edge flashing?
As we mentioned in the introduction, drip edge flashing is a very important part of a roof which, unfortunately, is often forgotten. Sometimes we are not even aware of its existence, but it undoubtedly plays an extremely important role.
Drip edge aluminum flashings are a metal strip installed along the edge of the roof, right where it meets the gutters. Aluminum flashings are most often installed under the roof material, so it is important that they are as light as possible so as not to weigh it down. The element extends slightly over the edge of the roof and incorporates a slightly curved flange to allow water to run off freely. Finally, correctly installed aluminum drip edge flashings creates a slight gap between the roof and the edge of the building.
What does drip edge flashing do?
We already know exactly what drip edge flashing actually is, so it's time to move on to the part of the article where we explain why this component is extremely important for the entire roof system. So let's find out what aluminum flashings actually do.
The most important task of aluminum drip edge flashing is to protect the roof edge from damage caused by water getting into unwanted places. Thanks to the element we describe, moisture does not get under the edge of the roof and runs off freely. In addition, aluminum flashings also protect the gutters from excessive water ingress so that it does not escape from the gutters in unsuitable places.
Why should you install aluminum drip edge flashing?
We have already covered exactly what drip edge flashing is and what its most important functions are, so we can now consider why it is actually worth choosing to fit this inconspicuous element and why it is best to choose a drip edge flashing made of aluminum.
Let's start with the fact that, as we have already mentioned, drip edge flashing is usually just made of aluminum or steel, however, according to many experts, aluminum is by far the better choice.
Aluminum drip edge flashings are, above all, much lighter than steel flashings, which means that they do not weigh down the roof, which is extremely important for this component. It is also worth mentioning that aluminum drip edge flashings are easy to install, thanks to their weight and flexibility. On top of this, they are available in a wide range of colors, so they can easily fit into any design and, if properly selected, will not stand out or be conspicuous, and, most importantly, aluminum flashings are clearly cheaper than those made of steel.
Summary
In summary, aluminum drip edge flashing is an inconspicuous-looking element that is often forgotten about when constructing a roof. It plays a very important role as it allows water to drain properly from the roof surface. Therefore, it should definitely be kept in mind if we want our roof to be solid and functional.
