Spent $300 on a fancy drip edge for my patio roof and it was a total waste.

Everyone online says you need that special aluminum flashing to prevent water damage. My basic galvanized steel from the lumberyard for $50 has been fine for 5 years through Midwest winters. Is this just an upsell or does it actually matter for a simple lean-to structure?

2 comments

2 Comments

grace_bailey12d ago

My neighbor's been using basic galvanized flashing on his shed roof for over a decade with zero leaks. For a simple lean-to, the expensive stuff is overkill unless you're right on the coast with salt spray. That cheap steel will outlast the roof itself if it's installed with a good slope.

mitchell.val12d ago

Grace Bailey has a point about galvanized steel working fine inland, but that "zero leaks" claim is a bit lucky. Galvanized flashing can fail early if it's in a spot that stays damp, like under a pile of leaves or in a shady corner. The zinc coating wears off, then it rusts right through. Seen it happen on a north-facing shed wall in just a few years. Good slope helps, but material choice still matters.