Nerd Alert – Drip Edge Code Requirements

Nerd alert.  This is likely to interest nobody except for the building code geeks out there.

This is not intended to wrong anybody out there, however I think it would be an eye-opener to most builders, roofers, and general contractors.

Let’s talk about drip edge:

I think most of us would say that we build to code.  I know most tell homeowners that they build to Oklahoma building cod, in fact most believe that they do.

Here’s what Oklahoma building code says about drip edge requirements on a roof

Drip edge typically comes in 2 sizes: inch and a half and 2 inch or sometimes some variation of those.  If code requires that the drip edge “extend up back onto the roof deck not less than 2 inches,” this means the inch and a half drip edge does not meet code requirements.  inch and a half drip edge does meet the “1/4 inch below the roof sheathing” requirement but it does not cover the 2 inch back onto the roof deck requirement.

My distributor confirmed with me yesterday that he would keep the 2 inch drip edge in stock for me even though I was the only customer that bought the 2 inch instead of inch and 1/2.

This tells me that there’s a big disconnect between the right drip edge and the drip edge that usually gets installed.

Drip edge is a vital part of a roof to keep a home dry.  By my calculations on today’s prices, it’s roughly 16 cents more / foot to install 2 inch vs inch and a half drip edge.

I wonder what other corners are getting cut on roofs in Oklahoma?