Metal Roof Trims: What Kind of Metal Roofing Trim Do I Need?

Metal roofing trim does more than just complete the look of your roof, it also protects it from the elements, sealing joints and helping to divert water away from the building. The biggest areas of concern are where two roof panels meet, where valleys or intersections form, and at the edge lines. In this post we will take a look at which pieces of metal roofing trim are needed to provide this critical protection.

Metal Roof Trims: Critical Pieces Metal Roofing Trim

Some pieces of metal roofing trim are more important than others. Eave trim, for example, is primarily decorative in function and can be forgone if the project allows it. Other components are not so easily dismissed and not including them could cause the roof to fail prematurely and/or water damage to occur on the roof and inside the building.

Anywhere there is a joint or where two pieces of paneling meet, you’re going to need metal roofing trim. The pieces are:

Ridge Caps

These pieces are found at the very top of the roofline where two roof caps meet. They protect this seam from moisture intrusion and provide the roofline with some architectural interest. Caps are different from ridge vents, which allow hot air to escape the attic, but they can be used in combination with one another.

Gable Trim Or Rake Trim

These are metal flashing finishing pieces used along the edges of the roofline. They are located at the point where the edge of the roof panel meets the endwall panels.

Roof to Wall Transition Pieces, Also Called Sidewall and Endwall Trim

They are located at wall and roof junctures such as on homes that have second stories or attached garages. They are used to provide a transition from the metal roof to various types of siding and seal the gaps that exist in these abutting areas.

Valley Flashing

Sometimes two areas of the roof meet and form a valley, such as when two roofs join together at a 90 degree angle. Valley flashing is placed under the adjoining roof panels to prevent water from getting under the panel and into the substructure. It also helps guide water away and down the roof.

Transition Trim

Similar to wall to roof transitions and valley flashing, transition trim is used when two roof panels meet at different angles. In this case, it is used where the roof slope changes. These pieces help guide water away from the roof.