Can’t argue with the practicality of metal edging, even if it’s not exactly a showstopper. I’ve seen it save the day on a couple tricky spots where water just wanted to sneak in. The layering you mentioned for green roofs is spot on—though I’d add, a lot of folks underestimate the importance of that root barrier. Skipping it is just asking for trouble later. I get the appeal of just sticking to gutters and keeping things simple, but honestly, when a green roof is done right, the benefits (cooler temps inside, stormwater control) are hard to ignore. Just wish it was easier to retrofit without feeling like you’re rebuilding half your house...
- Totally get wanting to keep things simple with just gutters, but yeah, metal edging’s saved me a ton of headaches too. Not flashy, but it works.
- That root barrier thing is spot on. I skipped it once on a shed roof—regret city. Roots found every little gap and it was a mess fixing it later.
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Couldn’t agree more. Tried adding a green roof section last year and honestly, felt like I was tearing up more than I was building. Worth it for the temp drop inside though.“just wish it was easier to retrofit without feeling like you’re rebuilding half your house...”
- Gutters are way less hassle, but after seeing how much water the green roof holds back, I’m glad I went for it. Still wouldn’t call it “easy.”
- If anyone’s thinking about this kind of project, set aside double the time you think you’ll need… and maybe triple the patience.
- Metal edging might not win any beauty contests, but when the next big rain comes through and everything stays dry, you’ll be glad it’s there.
I get the love for metal edging, but honestly, I’ve had mixed results. On my last place, I went all-in with the fancy stuff and still ended up chasing leaks around the corners. Maybe it was just my install, but sometimes I wonder if a good old-fashioned wide drip edge and some patience with sealant does just as much. That said, I do agree with this:
Couldn’t have said it better myself. Every “quick” roof job seems to turn into a weekend saga.“set aside double the time you think you’ll need… and maybe triple the patience.”
I hear you on the leaks—corners are always tricky, no matter what material you use. I’ve actually had better luck with metal edging than wide drip edge, but only after learning (the hard way) to pre-bend and overlap the corners, then run a bead of sealant under the seams. It’s a pain, but I found it held up better in our freeze-thaw cycles. Maybe it’s just our climate, though. I do wonder if some of these “fancy” products are overkill for a basic roof.
Interesting you mention freeze-thaw cycles—do you ever get ice dams along those edges, or does the metal help with that too? I’ve seen some folks use peel-and-stick under the corners, but not sure if that’s really needed on a basic gable roof.
