The Wide World Of Roof Flashing Products You Should Know

If you have a new roofing project coming up, it is important for you to make sure you use the correct products. For flashing, this includes determining the right profile, material, and length needed. Roof flashing is critical to just about every roofing job, but there are numerous types available in the market today. How can you be sure you are using the correct ones to meet your job’s needs? Learn more about some of the most common types of roof flashing and make sure to check out all the roof flashing options available from RoofingDirect.com.

The Different Types of Roof Flashing

Some of the most common types of flashing include:

Drip Edge Flashing: Drip edge, or perimeter flashing, is a type of flashing placed at the edge of the roof. It is also called “D-Metal” in the industry.

There are typically three types of drip edge flashing. Type C which is the classic and most common and is “L” shaped. Type D which is “T” shaped and can also be called drip metal has a longer drip surface overhang and keeps water further away from the roof. And finally, Type F which features a longer drip edge surface area and is mostly used when installing new flashing over existing roofing materials.

All drip edge is designed to make it easier for water to fall away from the roof without causing damage to the house itself. This helps to extend the life of your roof and adjoining external edges.

Edge Flashing: This is a type of barrier that hangs over the outer edges of your roof. It helps guide water off of the roof instead of having it run down the side of the house or roof edges which can cause moisture buildup and water damage.

Valley Flashing: If there are any open valleys on your roof, water can pool there, leading to serious issues. Valley flashing is designed to prevent this from happening.

Valley flashing helps to direct the water from the valleys (where two roof angles meet) directly down into the home’s gutter

Sometimes referred to as “W” flashing because of its unique “W” profile shape and ribs

Benefits of copper: copper is a great material for your valley flashing. Valley flashing can actually be used as a decorative enhancement to certain homes and the copper really helps accentuate that by being able to stand out in a noticeable but subtle way. Copper is also a great heat conductor which can help draw heat away from your roof during the summer months. It is also very durable and resistant to rust and other types of wear and tear from being exposed to the elements.

Transition Flashing: This type of flashing helps to prevent water seepage and drainage in surfaces where the roof meets another part of the structure, like where the roof joins to a wall or side of a chimney or when two different roof pitches meet. 

Step Flashing: Step flashing is a rectangular piece of flashing. It has a 90° bend in the middle. It is generally used around walls, and multiple pieces of flashing can be installed around the shingles to make sure the water flows away from the wall properly.

Z Flashing: Helps protect the horizontal joints between two separate sheets or seams of siding from water infiltration.

Roll Flashing: Provides extra protection in valleys, and can also be used for transitioning between shingle roofs and structures.

Copper Flashing: Copper flashing is typically more durable and looks much nicer externally than aluminum or other standard materials. Because of its ideal properties it can also be formed into a wide variety of styles.

Long lasting: Copper flashing has an expected usage lifetime of between 70 and 100 years. Compare that to other materials which top out at about 50 years on the high end.

Flexible: Copper is uniquely suited for use in homes built in climates that experience large temperature swings. Its flexible nature helps to reduce structural damage over time due to being able to handle extreme temperature swings without cracking or breaking.

Resistant to Weather: Copper is really great to have on a home that experiences frequent storms as it can withstand extreme weather such as hail. It is also very good for building on the coast since it resists salt water corrosion at an exceptional rate.

Continuous Flashing: This is also called form flashing, and it acts like an apron for the roof and the wall. It is a long, singular piece of metal that can carry water down the shingles and away from the structure.

Base Flashing: This is used when there are structures, such as chimneys or pipes, that need two separate pieces of flashing. The goal of base flashing is to make sure rain always strikes a surface to direct it downward, even when there are awkward structures, such as a chimney or a pipe, in the way.

Find the Right Roof Flashing to Meet Your Needs

These are just a few of the numerous types of flashing available. It is important to familiarize yourself with the functions and applications of each so you can be sure you are getting the most benefit. If you have questions about what type of flashing you will need for your next job, please contact us! We also offer custom flashing profiles that are made to order and built to your specifications.