Had a contractor try to talk me out of drip edge years ago, said “it’s not really needed if you’ve got good shingles.” Well, fast forward to the first ice dam and I was patching up soggy plywood. Never skipped it since. I get the argument about cost, but it’s pennies compared to replacing rotten eaves. I’m still not sold on covering the whole deck with membrane unless your weather’s really nuts, but I get why folks do it.
“it’s not really needed if you’ve got good shingles.” Well, fast forward to the first ice dam and I was patching up soggy plywood.
Man, that’s the classic “penny wise, pound foolish” move. Drip edge is like the cheap insurance nobody brags about but everyone wishes they had after the first big storm. I get being skeptical about full-deck membrane—unless you’re in a spot where winter and summer both try to kill your roof, it can feel like overkill. But I’ve seen enough rot from sneaky wind-driven rain that I’d rather be safe than sorry. If you’ve ever had to pull up a section of roof in February, you know what I mean...
Drip edge is like the cheap insurance nobody brags about but everyone wishes they had after the first big storm.
Yeah, learned that lesson the hard way. Had a customer last year who skipped drip edge because “the shingles looked tight.” First nor’easter, water wicked right under and trashed the fascia. Ended up costing triple what drip edge would’ve. I always tell folks: start with solid basics—drip edge, ice & water shield at least on the eaves, and check your attic ventilation. Those three steps have saved me more headaches than anything fancy. Sometimes it’s not about overbuilding, just doing the fundamentals right.
I see this all the time—folks think tight shingles are enough, but water finds a way. I’d even argue attic ventilation gets overlooked more than drip edge. Poor airflow leads to ice dams and rot, especially up north. It’s not just about stopping leaks; it’s about the whole system working together. Sometimes I wonder if people realize how much damage starts from tiny shortcuts like skipping a $50 piece of metal...
Totally agree—when we bought our place, I thought a new roof meant we were set, but turns out the attic vents were basically useless. We had condensation issues that winter, and it was a nightmare. I’d never have guessed something so small could cause so much trouble. It’s wild how those “little” details matter way more than you’d think.