Roof Edge Trim
Eave Flashing That Locks Down a Metal Roof’s Lower Edge
Eave flashing is the formed trim along the bottom edge of a metal roof. On a Permanent Metal Roofing Systems roof it anchors the end of every panel, protects the fascia and throws water clear of the wall line instead of letting it curl back underneath.
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How does eave flashing hold a metal roof down?
Eave flashing, also called eave trim, is a bent sheet metal profile fastened along the roof edge before any panel goes on. Its upper flange lies flat on the deck, and its lower edge kicks out to form a drip.
On standing seam, that trim does more than shed water. The bottom of each panel is hemmed, folded back under itself, and hooked over the trim’s lip. The hook holds the panel end down in the wind without a single exposed screw.
We bend eave trim on computerized equipment in our shop, from the same metal and finish as your panels. Every length comes off the brake with the same angle and hem, so the roof edge reads as one straight line from the street.
Eave flashing specifications
Every eave trim we install is matched to the panels above it.
| Spec | PMRS eave flashing |
|---|---|
| Material | Galvalume steel, aluminum, copper or zinc, matched to the roof panels |
| Metal thickness | 26, 24 or 22-gauge steel; .032 or .040 aluminum; 16 or 20 oz copper; .7 or .8 mm zinc |
| Profile | Hemmed drip with a kick-out lip; continuous cleat along high-wind edges |
| Finish | PVDF (Kynar 500 type), Tedlar PVF film, crinkle or SMP, matched to the panels |
| Ratings | Not rated by itself; wind and impact performance belong to the full panel system |
| Lowest pitch | Same as the panel above it: 3/12 snap lock, 1/2:12 mechanical lock |
| Warranty | Covered with the roof under the Lifetime Non-Prorated Limited Warranty for PMRS standing seam roofs (material and labor, transferable one time, with acts of God left to insurance); standard PVDF colors carry a 40-year finish warranty |
| Best for | Every standing seam eave, plus matched trim on corrugated and PBR roofs |
Drip edge vs. eave trim: what is the difference?
A drip edge is a simple angled strip that keeps water off the fascia. Eave trim on a standing seam roof does that job and also gives the panel hems something to lock onto.
On a shingle roof, the drip edge only guides water, since every shingle is nailed down on its own. A standing seam panel is different: its lower end needs a mechanical anchor, and the trim is that anchor. That is why a stock lumberyard drip edge is a poor fit under metal panels. Its lip tends to be too short or too soft to hold a hem, and its finish rarely matches the roof.
| Feature | Shingle drip edge | Standing seam eave trim |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Direct water off the edge | Direct water and anchor panel ends |
| Panel connection | None; shingles are nailed separately | Panel hems hook over its lip |
| Typical source | Stock lengths | Bent to the roof’s metal and finish |
| Wind resistance | Relies on nails | Hem and cleat hold the edge |
Why do hemmed and cleated edges matter in DFW?
Hems and cleats keep the lower roof edge from peeling up in a storm. Wind uplift peaks at edges and corners, and once an edge lifts, the next gust gets underneath.
A hem turns the cut edge of the metal back on itself, doubling its stiffness, hiding the raw cut and creating a hook. A cleat is a separate continuous strip fastened along the edge; the trim hooks onto it, so the visible face needs no exposed screws.
North Texas tests both. The May 28, 2024 storm brought gusts around 80 mph to the metro, and during the March 2025 outbreak, winds estimated above 100 mph hit Haltom City. A hemmed, cleated edge gives that kind of wind nothing loose to grab.
Heat moves the metal too. Where panels hook at the eave, the eave becomes their fixed end, and the ridge detail is built to let the top of each panel slide as it expands.
Where does the water go at the eave?
Off the roof and away from the wall. The trim’s kick-out throws water clear of the fascia, and the underlayment above drains out over the drip instead of into the wood.
Water leaves a metal roof faster than it leaves shingles, especially on a steep pitch in a spring downpour, so the length of the drip lip is planned with the roof edge, not guessed at. Where the house has gutters, we set the lip so it lands over the back half of the trough.
- Eave trim goes on first, directly on the deck, so the underlayment laps over its flange and drains onto it.
- High-temperature underlayment runs all the way to the edge, with self-adhered membrane at the eaves.
- Soft or sagging fascia is flagged at the estimate and repaired before the trim goes on.
How does PMRS install eave flashing?
Eave trim is the first metal on the roof, because everything above it depends on a straight, solid edge.
- Check the fascia. We sight the eave for sags and soft wood and note repairs before the job starts.
- Set the line. The trim follows a snapped straight line, so panel ends line up across the whole roof.
- Cleat and fasten. A continuous cleat goes on where the edge faces high wind; the trim hooks over it and fastens through its top flange.
- Lap the underlayment. The membrane laps over the trim flange, so water on it drains out over the drip.
- Hook the panels. Each panel end is hemmed and hooked over the trim lip before the seams are locked.
You can watch the sequence in our eave trim installation animation (video), and the whole roof sequence is on the installation process page. For valleys, walls, chimneys and ridges, see custom metal flashing.
Which colors and finishes are available?
Eave trim is bent from the same coil family as your panels, so it matches the roof. Some owners choose a contrasting edge color to outline the roof, a look that suits many modern farmhouse designs.
Finishes include PVDF (Kynar 500 type), Tedlar PVF film and crinkle texture. See every option and how they compare on our color chart.
Eave flashing vs. rake trim and ridge caps
Eave flashing handles the bottom edge, where water leaves the roof. Rake trim covers the sloped gable edges, where wind is the bigger threat, and hip and ridge caps finish the top and the outside corners.
Each is built differently. Rake trim wraps over the last panel rib and is cleated down its length, and a ridge cap rides on Z-closures above the panels. Eave trim is the only piece the panels hook onto, which makes it the anchor for every run on a snap lock or mechanical lock roof. Compare systems on our standing seam page.
Eave Flashing FAQ
Does eave flashing go over or under the underlayment?
At the eave, the trim goes on first and the underlayment laps over its flange, so any water on the underlayment drains out over the drip. At the rakes the order reverses: underlayment first, then the trim on top.
Is drip edge required under a metal roof?
Building codes spell out drip edge for shingle roofs. Metal panel systems use the eave trim their profile is detailed with instead, and on every PMRS standing seam roof that trim is part of the system, not an option.
Can eave trim be a different color from the roof?
Yes. We can bend the trim in a contrasting finish from the color chart. Most owners match the panels, but a darker or lighter edge can frame a modern design nicely.
Why is water staining my fascia?
Usually the old drip edge is too short or bent, so water curls back under the roof edge and runs down the wood. Eave trim with a proper kick-out sends it clear, and we replace soft fascia boards before new trim goes on.
Is eave flashing included in the price of a new roof?
Yes. On a new PMRS roof, eave trim is part of the system and appears on your free, written, itemized estimate after we measure, along with the panels, other trim, underlayment, tear-off and labor.
Get Your Free Metal Roof Estimate
Tell us about your roof. Our Mesquite office calls back the same business day to set up a free measurement and an itemized written estimate.
Prefer to talk now? Call (469) 466-2421.
Start Your Roof at a Straight, Solid Edge
Ask for a written estimate on a PMRS metal roof, with the eave trim and flashing matched and planned as one system.