Commercial and residential roofing requires custom edge metal or facia metal. We also need to deal with parapet capping in order to complete a roof installtion
Installing fascia edge metal (also called drip edge or eave trim) is an important step in protecting a roof’s edge from water infiltration and wind damage. Below is a step-by-step guide for proper fascia edge metal installation, whether you’re working on a commercial or residential roof.
🧰 Materials & Tools Needed
- Fascia edge metal (drip edge)
- Roofing nails or self-tapping screws
- Tin snips or metal shears
- Tape measure
- Chalk line
- Hammer or drill
- Roofing cement or sealant (optional for extra waterproofing)
- Safety gear (gloves, eye protection)
🪜 Step-by-Step Installation Guide
1. Prepare the Roof Edge
- Ensure the roof deck and fascia board are clean, dry, and straight.
- If installing over existing metal, remove the old pieces carefully.
- Apply underlayment (ice & water shield or roofing felt) before the drip edge if required by local code or manufacturer specs.
2. Start at the Eaves (Bottom Edge)
- Begin installing along the eaves first, before moving up the rakes (gables).
- Position the fascia edge metal so the flange lies on the roof deck, and the lower lip extends over the fascia board.
✅ Tip: The metal should hang about ½ inch past the roof decking to allow water to drip freely into the gutter.
3. Fasten the Metal
- Nail or screw the metal into place about every 8–10 inches.
- Fasteners should go into the roof decking, not the fascia board.
- Ensure each piece overlaps the previous one by at least 2 inches to prevent water intrusion.
4. Seal and Overlap Joints
- Where two pieces meet, apply a small bead of roofing cement or sealant under the overlap.
- This helps prevent capillary water movement.
5. Install Along Rakes (Gable Ends)
- Once the eaves are complete, install the drip edge along the rakes.
- The rake metal should overlap the eave metal at the corners for proper water flow.
- Trim corners cleanly with tin snips for a tight fit.
6. Check Alignment
- Use a chalk line to keep edges straight and uniform.
- Ensure all pieces are snug and sit flush against the fascia.
7. Integrate with Roof Covering
- For shingle roofs, commercial roofs or roof coatings the first layer of shingles should overlap the drip edge at the eave.
- For commercial low-slope roofs (TPO, EPDM, or coatings), the edge metal is often terminated with a cover strip or termination bar per manufacturer specs.
⚙️ Optional: Commercial Roof Note
On flat or low-slope commercial roofs, fascia edge metal may be part of an ANSI/SPRI ES-1-compliant edge system, which requires:
- Continuous cleats for wind resistance
- Factory-fabricated corners
- Tested uplift performance per code (especially in high-wind zones)
Do you have a residential or commercial roofing installation project that needs roofing metal work? We are your guys! and gals!