All glossary terms
Materials
Drip Edge
Definition: Drip edge is the L-shaped metal flashing installed along roof edges that directs water away from the fascia and into the gutter. It's required by code in most US states.
Drip edge looks like a small detail and it is. But skip it (or install it backward) and water runs behind your gutters, soaks your fascia, and rots out the roof edge over a few seasons. Drip edge is what keeps the bottom 6 inches of your roof system functional.
The L-shape (or T-shape on some profiles) sits over the top edge of the deck, with one flange extending down behind the gutter and over the fascia, the other extending under the underlayment. Properly installed, it directs every drop of water that runs down the roof slope straight into the gutter — not behind it.
International Residential Code (IRC) has required drip edge on all new installs since 2012. Most state and local codes match this. Insurance carriers also flag missing drip edge as a workmanship issue that can void coverage on water damage claims.
For estimating: drip edge is per linear foot of roof edge ($2-$4 per LF installed). It's another item that's small relative to the total quote but separates competent installers from cut-corner operators. Some pricing tools include it in base shingle pricing; others (including SatelliteQuotes) make it a separate line item so customers see the full code-compliant install spec.