Why are Flashings Made of Aluminum?

A correctly installed roof is an extremely important part of any house, both to protect the house from the changing weather conditions and to keep the heat inside. When installing a roof, everyone remembers solidly laid tiles and correctly installed gutters, but these are not all the parts of a roof that make it fully functional.

A very important and useful part of the roof is the aluminum flashings, inconspicuous-looking metal edges which are installed at the border between the roofing and the gutters. They perform an extremely important function and, if installed correctly, can transform our roof, so if you are curious as to what exactly aluminum flashings are and how they work, be sure to read today’s article!

What is a drip edge flashing?

So let’s start with the basics, a drip edge flashing is usually an aluminum or steel strip that is installed along the edge of the roof, right where the roof shingles meet the gutters. Aluminum flashings are by far the most common solution in the United States, they are usually installed under the roof material and extend slightly above the roof surface allowing water to flow freely. It is a kind of curved collar that creates a small gap between the roof and the edge of the building.

Aluminum flashings are by far the best solution available on the market and have many advantages, as we will outline later in this article, but we would already like to emphasize that this solution does make a difference when it comes to the effective and above all safe drainage of water from the roof surface.

What does drip edge flashing do?

Now that we know what drip edge flashing is, it is time to get down to the details, i.e. what it is used for.

Namely, aluminum flashings are undoubtedly an indispensable component of any roof system, which allows water to run off the roof surface freely. This element has a primarily protective function, as it protects the edges of the roof from the damage that water can cause. Aluminum drip edge flashings channel water away from the edge of the roof, thus preventing moisture from entering unwanted areas, and they also prevent excessive accumulation of water in the gutters, so that the gutters are not overfilled and water does not escape from the gutters in unsuitable places.

Why should you install an aluminum drip edge flashing?

As mentioned earlier, drip edge flashing is most often made of aluminum or steel, however, according to many experts, aluminum is the material that performs best, let’s find out why.

Let’s start with the fact that aluminum flashings are, above all, really lightweight, which means that they place virtually no strain on the roof. In addition, their low weight combined with the ductility of aluminum makes a drip edge made from this material extremely easy to fit. In addition to this, it is also worth mentioning that aluminum flashings are noticeably cheaper than those made of steel, even though they are practically just as strong and long-lasting.

Last but not least, aluminum flashings are available in many colors because this material is really easy to color, so we don’t have to worry that we won’t find aluminum flashings that won’t match the aesthetics of our roof.

Summary

In summary, aluminum drip edge flashings are an inconspicuous element that can dramatically change the functioning of a roof system. This small component is really easy and inexpensive to install, but it is often forgotten and its absence can lead to many problems. This is why it should never be forgotten when installing a roof under any circumstances.