I’m still not convinced every roof actually needs it in super dry climates, but anywhere with real rain? It’s a no-brainer.
I get where you’re coming from, but even in dry places, wind can blow rain sideways or you get that occasional freak storm. I’ve seen decks rot out in the desert because water just sat at the edge with nowhere to go. Plus, from a green perspective, preventing rot means less wasted lumber and fewer repairs down the line. Seems like cheap insurance, honestly.
That little strip of metal (drip edge) is one of those things you don’t notice until it’s missing and suddenly you’re patching up rot or chasing a leak. I used to think it was just a “belt and suspenders” kind of deal, especially out here in the Southwest where we maybe get a handful of good rains a year. But last summer, I helped a neighbor tear off his old roof—no drip edge on the north side. The plywood at the eaves looked like someone had left it in a bathtub. All it took was a rare monsoon blowing sideways, and water just wicked right under the shingles. The rest of his roof (with the metal) was perfectly fine.
Funny thing is, even the building inspectors around here seem divided. Some say it’s overkill unless you’re in the mountains or somewhere that actually gets snow. But when you’re up on a ladder, staring at rotten fascia and pulling out rusty nails, “overkill” starts to sound pretty reasonable. It’s like carrying an umbrella in the desert—maybe you won’t need it most days, but when you do, you’re glad it’s there.
And about “cheap insurance”—that’s spot on. Drip edge is, what, a buck or two per linear foot? Compare that to replacing a section of decking or repainting the trim every couple years because water keeps sneaking in... I’ll take the metal strip every time.
There’s always that one person who swears their house has been fine for 30 years without it, but I’d bet their climate’s friendlier than mine. Or they just haven’t looked under the shingles lately.
Couldn’t agree more about the “cheap insurance” angle. I skipped drip edge on a shed years ago, thinking it was overkill for our dry climate. Fast forward a couple seasons, and the bottom edge of the plywood was soft as a sponge. Lesson learned. Even if you only get a few storms, it just takes one to cause a headache. For the price and effort, I’d rather not risk it.
I hear you on that—skipping drip edge seems harmless until it isn’t. I made the same call on a detached garage, thinking the overhang would be enough. Turns out, wind-driven rain found its way in and started rotting the fascia after just a couple years. It’s not just about heavy storms either; even a little splashback or snow melt can do damage over time. For a few bucks and maybe an hour of work, it’s just not worth cutting corners.
I get where you’re coming from, but is drip edge always a must? I mean, my uncle’s place never had it—just shingles hanging over the edge—and his fascia’s still solid after like 15 years. Maybe it’s just luck or maybe his overhang is bigger than average, I dunno. Anyone else seen roofs hold up fine without that metal strip, or is he just dodging a bullet? Sometimes I wonder if it’s more about local weather than anything else...
