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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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).
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.
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.
| Material | Cost Per 10 Linear Feet |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | $3 – $10 |
| Galvanized Steel | $5 – $12 |
| Copper | $35 – $75 |
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 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 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.
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 Style | Average 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 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 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—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.
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:
The cost of fascia and soffit replacement: $600 to $6,000
The cost to replace gutters: $4 to $30 per linear foot
The cost of general roof repairs: $150 to $7,800
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.
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.
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.
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.
A drip edge can last many decades (over 20 years typically) if properly installed. Drip edges are usually replaced at the same time as a fascia board since the roof fascia is what a drip edge adheres to.
The recommended drip edge gauge is between 24 and 36 to ensure it's resistant to corrosion. This ensures water is redirected from the roof fascia and into the gutter properly.
Yes, but it won't be as effective as installing it as part of a new roof because it won't be as water-resistant. However, a drip edge installed after the fact is better than no drip edge at all.
Metal roofs do not technically require a drip edge if the roof overhangs at least one inch, because the roof's slant will cause water to flow away from the structure. But a drip edge would be an added level of protection for a metal roof to help keep moisture issues at bay.
