If you are replacing your current roof, you are probably wondering if drip edge flashing is required. However, to protect your building materials from rotting, a drip edge flashing is needed. A product that SYL Roofing Supply specializes in.
But if you are not worried about your funding, you might find yourself violating the Oklahoma Uniform Building code, which we will look into in this article.
Is Drip Edge Flashing Required?
In Oklahoma, most homes lack a drip edge flashing. Do you even need it? Yes, you do. So, what is a ‘Drip Edge Flashing?’ It is a long strip of angled metal that gets secured to the edges of your roof.
It helps to redirect the raindrops away from the roof and into the gutter. This ensures that your roof deck, wood soffits, and trim are safe. Therefore, if you ask me, this is a rather good investment.
What is flashing? Generally, it is a metal, plastic, paper, or liquid adhesive that guards the structural elements used to build your home. Is there a specific place for its positioning? It can be placed at various points of your house.
This includes the windows, doors, along walls, and around roof penetrations.
Is a drip edge a code requirement?
Following the 2015 International Residential Code, ‘A drip edge shall be provided at eaves and rake edges of shingle roofs.’ But, it’s not always the case for all the residents in the different states.
This is because the states were allowed to modify the code and the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission included an exception as follows:
‘Exception: If a nominal 1 inch by 2-inch (25mm by 51 mm) shingle mold is used, attached to the fascia and the starter course of shingles is extended a minimum of ¼ inch (6.35mm) and not more than 1 inch (25mm) then a metal drip edge is not required.’
Therefore, if you’re selling your house in Oklahoma, you do not need to install a drip edge flashing if a ‘shingle mold’ is installed. But what is a shingle mold? This is a strip of wood or PVC placed directly under the edges of the shingles and is also secured to the fascia board.
For the shingle mold to work effectively, the shingles must not exceed one inch over the top of the shingle molding and should not go below ¼ inch. It will ensure that the water will go away from the roof instead of twining under the shingles.
And with time, instead of damaging your roof materials, the molding itself can be damaged. Fortunately, this is cheaper than replacing the entire roof decking.
Roof Drip Edge Flashing Requirements and Recommendations
A shingle molding may require some attention for maintenance and painting to match the roof color. On the flip side, it is very simple to install and will be done in no time. As for the drip edge flashing, the expertise of your home inspector and the roofing of your house will influence its accuracy.
Therefore, you can always go for the shingle molding. And since you do not have to do it regularly, you can always exchange the two from time to time. But always ensure that you look out for the quality of the materials.
However, a drip edge flashing is highly recommended when compared to a shingle mold. After all, once it is installed, your work is done. But do not worry if you already installed a shingle mold; maybe you could try the drip edge flashing next time.
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Getting the best for your home is our number one priority. And being in the industry for this long, SYL Roofing Supply fully understands how to meet your needs. Get in touch with them today.