How Much Does a Drip Edge Cost to Install? [2024 Data]

Normal range: $150 - $1,000

Installing drip edge costs about $575 for the average roof, or between $150 and $1,000, depending on the type or drip edge and whether you hire a pro.

How we get this data
A two-story gray brick house with a garage
Photo: Pavel Losevsky / Adobe Stock
Mariel Loveland
Written by Mariel Loveland
Contributing Writer
Updated May 6, 2024
A two-story gray brick house with a garage
Photo: Pavel Losevsky / Adobe Stock

Drip edge installation costs $1 to $3 per linear foot on average, with most homeowners spending a total of $150 to $1,000 on an installation project. But if you choose a unique style and high-end material like copper, a drip edge can cost as much as $15 per linear foot. A drip edge is a type of metal flashing that prevents water from getting inside your roof by directing it into your gutters. Sometimes referred to as just “flashing,” a drip edge is placed at a roof's edges to help guide water away from the fascia. Without it, water can get behind your gutters and rot the roof decking and fascia board. This guide will help you plan your budget.

See the price range for drip edge:
How we get this data
Normal range for U.S.
$150 - $1,000
  • Average
  • $575
  • Low end
  • $100
  • high end
  • $3,000
LOWHIGH

Drip Edge Installation Cost Factors

Drip edge installation costs vary a bit based on factors like material, the length of your roof, the type of drip edge you choose, and more. Here’s how it breaks down.

New Roof Installation vs. Current Roof

When determining the price of installing drip edges, the biggest factor is whether or not it's part of a new roof installation. While you can install drip edges if your current roof does not have them, they won’t be as effective. In this case, you’ll pay for materials plus roofing labor. When folded into the price of a new roof, the cost of drip edges is nominal.

Length of Roof

The length of your roof is another important factor. The more linear footage around the edge of your roof, the more flashing you’ll need to install. This will raise costs, and it adds up if you choose a drip edge flashing in a high-end material or style.

Height of Home

It’s a lot simpler to install a drip edge on a roof you can easily reach with a ladder. Contractors will charge more for the job if your home has a higher roof that’s difficult to access. Sometimes, they’ll even need to use special equipment.

Drip Edge Material

Drip edges are typically made from metal—though you can purchase plastic, vinyl, and fiberglass edges. These are better used for doors and windows than roofs because they aren’t as strong. As far as metal goes, aluminum is the standard (at $3 to $10 per 10 linear feet), and stronger or specialized metals will cost more.

Drip Edge Type

Drip edges come in three styles: Type C, Type D, and Type F. These all refer to their specific shape. Type C is the standard L-shape and costs the least (approximately $0.30 to $1.00 per linear foot) and Type D, which is T-shaped, costs the most (approximately $1.00 to $1.50 per linear foot).

Labor

Most roofing contractors charge $45 to $75 per hour. In other words, the longer they’re working on your roof, the more the job is going to cost. Expect to spend a larger chunk of change if your drip edge installation is complicated and your contractor needs to make other repairs.

Cost of Drip Edge by Material

Drip edges cost anywhere from $3 to $75 per 10 linear feet, excluding labor. Common metals—like aluminum or galvanized steel—are on the low end of that cost range. You’ll spend more for a specialty metal.

MaterialCost Per 10 Linear Feet
Aluminum$3 – $10
Galvanized Steel$5 – $12
Copper$35 – $75

Aluminum

Aluminum drip edge flashing runs approximately $3 to $10 per 10 linear feet, depending on what style you choose. Aluminum is a common material for drip edges. While it isn’t as strong as steel, it doesn’t corrode. It’s also popular because you can find it in many colors.

Galvanized Steel

Galvanized steel drip edge runs approximately $5 to $12 per 10 linear feet, depending on the style you choose. Galvanized steel drip edges prevent rust and must be a minimum of 24-gauge steel to withstand strong winds. 

Copper

Copper drip edge runs approximately $35 to $75 per 10 linear feet, depending on what style you choose. Copper gives a roof a unique look. It must be a minimum of 0.69 millimeters or 20 ounces. 

Cost of Drip Edge by Type

Style plays a role in the cost of your drip edge installation. The standard drip edge is L-shaped, but you may need or want a different type of drip edge depending on your existing roof. Here’s how the prices vary.

Drip Edge StyleAverage Cost
Type C$3 – $10 per 10 linear feet
Type D$10 – $15 per 10 linear feet
Type F$3 – $10 per 10 linear feet

Type C

Type C costs approximately $3 to $10 per 10 linear feet, depending on what material you choose. Type C (sometimes called L style) is L-shaped. It’s bent at a 90-degree angle and has a flange at the bottom. 

Type D

Type D costs approximately $10 to $15 per 10 linear feet, depending on the material. This style drip edge is shaped like a T with a flange at the bottom. It is also called drip metal, D-metal, or T style. This style keeps the water farther away from the fascia.

Type F

Type F—also called F style or gutter apron—costs approximately $3 to $10 per 10 linear feet, again, depending on your material. It has an extended drip edge with a longer leading edge. This style is typical when installing new drip edges over existing shingles or on rake edges. 

Cost of Common Add-Ons

Drip edges are just a piece of what protects your home from water damage. It works in conjunction with your gutters, fascia boards, and soffit boards. Often, homeowners need to replace or repair these crucial parts of their roofs at the same time. You may need to add the following to your budget:

Installing a Drip Edge Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro

Roof work can be dangerous and requires a lot of know-how—and a tall ladder. This is a job best left to a roofing professional near you. However, if you choose to install drip edge yourself, you will save about $45 to $75 per hour on labor, which could come to a few hundred dollars. This will leave you with a materials cost of $1 to $15 per linear feet of drip edge, depending on the type you choose. You will also need a tape measure, hammer, pencil, ladder, small roofing nails, and tin snips, which could add more than $100 to your cost if you need to buy those tools and materials. 

Pro Tip
It should be standard operating procedure for homeowners and professional crews to install a drip edge to ensure water is being directed into the gutters and moved away from the home. Routinely cleaning clogged gutters can also mitigate roof leaks.
Michael DiMartino
Senior Vice President of Installations at Power Home Remodeling

How to Save On Drip Edge Installation Costs

If you’re already building a new roof or replacing your roof, the best way to save on installation costs is to have your contractor add a drip edge at the same time. Adding a drip edge on an already existing roof can get complicated, and it will drive up labor costs. Other ways to save include:

  • Choosing aluminum or galvanized steel.

  • Choosing a standard Type C drip edge.

  • Choosing a roofer with affordable rates and excellent reviews.

Many contractors don’t automatically install drip edges during roof construction, so you’ll need to ask upfront. Before signing any contract, remember to get a quote from at least three different contractors. This can help you gauge the typical local cost so you get the best value at the highest quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, because it prevents water damage, deters pests from accessing the roof decking, protects the roof from wind damage, and lengthens the roof's life. Plus, building codes require it. 

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Learn more about our contributor
Mariel Loveland
Written by Mariel Loveland
Contributing Writer
Mariel is a writer from New York City who has a passion for helping renters and homeowners make their space unapologetically their own—and save a few bucks along the way.
Mariel is a writer from New York City who has a passion for helping renters and homeowners make their space unapologetically their own—and save a few bucks along the way.
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