So you’re a homeowner and planning a DIY metal roofing installation. As you might anticipate, the most difficult part of the job is installing the trim correctly. Homeowners like you always ask us which piece of metal roofing trim should be installed first? Eave trim, also referred to as drip edge, is the first piece of trim that will be installed on your metal roof.
This step by step installation article specifically covers eave trim installation for an exposed fastener panel such as: ⅞” Corrugated, R Panel/PBR Panel, and Western Rib/7.2 Panel. It is not intended for installation of standing seam panels.
Easy to follow instructions and pictures that illustrate each step. This blog will answer all of your installation questions. We also have a video that will walk you through all of the steps.
Our staff at Western States Metal Roofing consists of employees who have experience selling and installing metal roofing. Our goal in this article is to take our 25 years of experience and share that knowledge, making your metal roof installation a breeze.
Our goal in this article is to explain:
- What is eave trim
- Does your roof need an eave trim?
- Types and cost of eave trim
- Required tools and supplies
- Eave trim at a corner
- Overlapping eave trim
- Fastening eave trim
- Underlayment at eave
If you enjoy this article then we recommend that you read this article also: How To Install Synthetic Underlayment On A Metal Roof
What Is Eave Trim?
Does A Metal Roof Need A Drip Edge?
The purpose of a drip edge or eave trim is to divert rainwater off of the roof and away from the fascia. If you have a gutter it will direct the water into the center of the gutter. If the drip edge is not positioned correctly it can cause the gutters to overflow.
A drip edge will also make your roof look nicer as it provides a straight and clean line at the low side of your roof.
The eave trim will work in conjunction with your underlayment and it will keep water from blowing underneath your roof. In addition, there is a kick out at the edge of the eave trim that is designed to steer the water out and away from your property. The kick out prevents the water from dripping directly down the side of the fascia or wall.
So, the short answer is “Yes” your roof does need a drip edge. It makes the roof look cleaner, keeps the water from getting underneath your roof, protects your fascia board from the elements, and it diverts water to the center of your gutter.
If you did not install an eave trim your roof is more likely to leak, meaning you might have to paint and replace your fascia board more often, and the color of your stucco or walls will fade more rapidly.
Types Of Eave Trim
- Mini eave trim is used when you only want to cover a small area of the fascia. Typical dimensions on mini eave trim are 2.5”X2.5”.
- Full size eave trim is used when you only want to cover a larger area of the fascia. Typical dimensions on normal eave trim are 5.25”X5.25”.
Eave trim can also be made to custom measurements. Most residential projects will use mini eave trim and commercial projects tend to use a full size eave. Either will work fine. It just depends on how much of the fascia board you would like to cover.How Much Does Eave Trim Cost
The cost of the eave trim will depend upon the gauge, type of paint finish, and the size of the eave trim. On average eave trim will cost $1.25 to $2.50 per lineal foot. A full size eave trim in PVDF would be at the high side of this range. While a 26 gauge mini eave in a galvalume finish would be on the low side.
What Tools And Supplies Are Needed For Eave Trim Installation?
Installing eave trim on your metal roof starts with using the right tools and having the correct supplies on hand. Here is a list of what you will need:
- Left, right, and center cutting snips
- Hand seamer
- Carpenters pencil
- Roofing gloves should be cut-resistant to protect against sharp edges
- Caulking gun
- Silicone sealant our recommendation is Ultra 1000
- 1” long metal to wood pancake head screw
Installing Eave Trim On A Metal Roof: A Step By Step Guide
You should always read the manufacturers installation guide prior to installing drip edge on a metal roof. It’s also important to be in compliance with local building code requirements.
It’s always easiest to work from left to right. So start with the left corner of the roof and then start overlapping the eave trim as you work your way to the far right side of the roof.
How To Install Eave Trim At A Corner
- Starting on the left side of the roof, remove the protective plastic film from the eave trim.
- Run the eave trim one inch past the edge of the roof.
- Take your carpenters pencil and mark the underside of the eave trim by tracing the fascia and gable board. The line you created is the bend line.
- Use your snips and cut the center of the eave trim until you get to the bend line.
- Cut away the top one inch part of the eave trim.
- Remove the hem by making a 45 degree angled cut to the bend line. This will allow the eave trim to meet up with the gable trim and have a clean mitered corner.
- Using your hand seamer to bend the remaining edge upwards.
- Install the drip edge on the roof so that the piece that you bent with the seamer tool folds around the corner.
How To Overlap Eave Trim On A Metal Roof
Eave trim is typically ten feet to twelve feet in length and most roofs will be larger than twelve feet. When this happens the eave flashing will have to be overlapped.
- Notch eave trim by removing three inches of the drip edge hem. This allows it to slide into the next piece of eave trim with a three inch overlap
- The purpose is to create a secure fit on the fascia that will not blow around in the wind.
- Apply caulking where the eave flashing will overlap.
- Use a screwdriver to slightly open the hem of the adjacent piece of drip edge.
- Then slide the second piece of eave trim into the first piece. Be careful not to smear the caulking.
How To Fasten Eave Trim On A Metal Roof
- Use a 1” metal to wood pancake head screw to fasten the top of the eave trim to the metal roof. It’s a low profile screw that will not dimple the metal roofing panel that will sit on top of it.
- Locate the screw in the center of the eave trim.
- The screw spacing is one screw located at 8 inches from each end of the eave flashing. In between both ends of the eave flashing the screws should be spaced at twelve inch on center.
Installing Synthetic Roofing Underlayment At The Eave Of A Metal Roof
How do you ensure that your roof is protected from the elements if your roof is ready before the trim and metal panels arrive at the jobsite? Roofers will “dry-in” a roof prior to the installation of the metal roofing. This is short for dry inside. It means that the roofing underlayment has been installed protecting your roof and making it weather tight.
Does Drip Edge Go Over Or Under The Synthetic Roofing Underlayment?
Roofing underlayment should be installed prior to installation of eave flashing. The drip edge or eave trim will sit on top of the roofing underlayment. This keeps wind driven rain from getting underneath the underlayment.
In addition, cut an eight inch strip of Sharkskin Ultra SA underlayment and install it over the eave flashing as shown in the picture and video. Once this is done you will have underlayment both underneath and over the eave trim.
Learn How To Install Gable Flashing And Ridge Cap
Installing eave flashing isn’t that difficult. After you watch the videos and read the article you should not have any problems. If you are learning about eave trim installation then the next step is to learn about gable trim and ridge cap installation. Check out our metal roofing installation guides, view our YouTube channel, and our blog.
Save Money On Your Metal Roofing Panels
Since you are learning about installing metal roofing panels you have either purchased metal roofing or will be ordering soon. If you have not ordered the metal roofing panels, you can save 15% to 50% by buying from a manufacturer directly.
When you purchase metal roofing from Western States Metal Roofing you are buying manufacturer direct. There are no middle men involved. We offer inexpensive delivery throughout the entire United States and will provide excellent customer service. But don’t take our word for it, you can see what customer ratings and reviews online here.
