Gutter Apron vs Drip Edge: Differences, Uses & Cost
Water running down the fascia behind a gutter is one of the most common gutter complaints, and the fix usually lives at the roof edge, not in the gutter. Two pieces of metal flashing do that job: drip edge and gutter apron. They look similar, they are often confused, and choosing the wrong one, or installing either one badly, leaves water dripping behind the gutter.
TheRemodelers works with licensed roofing and gutter contractors to help homeowners understand roof-edge flashing: what a gutter apron is, how it differs from drip edge, and which one a home needs.
Gutter Apron vs. Drip Edge at a Glance
| Drip edge | Gutter apron |
|---|
Shape | L-shaped (Type C) or T-shaped with a kick-out (Type D) | Longer angled flange that reaches into the gutter (often called Type F) |
Main job | Protect the roof edge and fascia and shed water clear of them | Feed water from the roof directly into the gutter |
Where it goes | Eaves and rakes, gutters or not | Eaves with gutters only |
Best for | Most roofs; typically required on asphalt-shingle roofs | Gaps between roof edge and gutter, low-set gutters, retrofits |
Material cost | About $3 – $15 per 10-foot piece | About $3 – $10 per 10-foot piece |
What Drip Edge Does
Drip edge is metal flashing installed along the edges of the roof. It breaks the surface tension that makes water cling to the shingle edge and curl back toward the house, so water drops off cleanly instead of soaking the fascia and roof deck. Most building codes based on the International Residential Code require drip edge at the eaves and rakes of asphalt-shingle roofs, so check your local code.
Drip edge comes in two common profiles. Type C is a simple L shape. Type D, sometimes called T-style, adds a small kick-out at the bottom that throws water farther from the fascia, which helps it clear the back of the gutter.
What a Gutter Apron Does
A gutter apron is a longer, angled piece of flashing that tucks up under the first row of shingles and extends down into the gutter itself. Instead of letting water drop toward the gutter, it carries water straight into the trough, closing any gap between the roof edge and the back of the gutter.
Because it only makes sense where there is a gutter, an apron is installed at eaves with gutters, not along rakes. Many homes use drip edge on the rakes and either drip edge or gutter apron at the eaves.
When You Need a Gutter Apron
The gutter sits low on the fascia, leaving a gap between the shingle edge and the gutter
Water drips behind the gutter even though drip edge is installed
The roof has no drip edge and you are retrofitting flashing over existing gutters
Low-slope roofs, where water clings to the shingle edge longer
If water is dripping from the soffit rather than running down the fascia, the problem may be different: a gutter set too high, which lifts the shingles. Jimmy DeHart Sr. of Everything Gutter explains how to tell the two apart in his guide to drip edge and gutter leaks.
How They Are Installed
At the eaves, drip edge or gutter apron is usually installed directly on the roof deck before the underlayment, so the underlayment laps over it; along the rakes, drip edge typically goes over the underlayment. Shingles should overhang the flashing by about half an inch so water drops cleanly.
Placement relative to the gutter is just as important. Drip edge should extend over the back lip of the gutter, often by about a quarter to half an inch, and a gutter apron should reach down into the trough. Flashing installed flat against the fascia, tucked behind the gutter, defeats its purpose.
Adding Flashing to an Existing Roof
Drip edge or gutter apron can be added without replacing the roof. The installer lifts the first course of shingles, slides the flashing underneath, fastens it, and lays the shingles back down. This takes care in cold weather, when shingles are brittle, and on older roofs where the shingle seal strips have aged.
Installing flashing during a roof replacement is easier and cheaper. If the gutters are coming down for the roof job anyway, it is the right moment to get the roof edge and gutters working together; our look at replacing gutters when you replace the roof explains why.
What It Costs
Drip edge installation on an existing roof typically costs about $1 to $3 per linear foot, or roughly $150 to $1,000 for an average home. Gutter apron material runs a little more per foot than basic drip edge because of the longer flange, but the installed cost is similar. As a stopgap where neither is installed, a bead of gutter sealant along the back edge of the gutter can stop water running behind it until flashing is added.
Related Gutter Problems
Flashing only works when the gutter is held at the right height and pitch. Gutters that sag or pull away from the fascia open a gap no flashing can close, which is usually a hanger problem; our guide to gutter hanger types explains which hardware holds up.
Final Thoughts
Drip edge protects the roof edge on every roof, and a gutter apron is the better choice at eaves where water needs help getting from the shingles into the gutter. Either one only works when it extends over or into the gutter rather than behind it. Our complete guide to gutters covers the rest of the system.
Water running behind your gutters? Home Upgrade Pros connects homeowners with licensed local contractors for a free, no-obligation look at the roof edge, or call (725) 278-6174.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a gutter apron and drip edge?
Drip edge is roof-edge flashing that sheds water clear of the fascia on any roof edge. A gutter apron is a longer, angled flashing used only at eaves with gutters, reaching down into the gutter to carry water directly into it.
Do I need a gutter apron if I have drip edge?
Usually not, if the drip edge extends over the back of the gutter and water drops into it. A gutter apron helps where there is a gap between the roof edge and the gutter or water still runs behind it.
Is drip edge required by code?
Most codes based on the International Residential Code require drip edge at the eaves and rakes of asphalt-shingle roofs. Check with your local building department.
Can drip edge or gutter apron be added to an existing roof?
Yes. An installer lifts the first row of shingles, slides the flashing underneath, and fastens it. It is easiest during a roof replacement.
How much does drip edge cost?
Installed on an existing roof, about $1 to $3 per linear foot, or roughly $150 to $1,000 for an average home. Gutter apron costs about the same installed.
Why is water running behind my gutters?
Usually the roof edge has no drip edge or gutter apron, or the flashing does not extend over the back of the gutter. If water drips from the soffit instead, the gutter may be set too high.
