The sloped edge of a roof running from the eave to the ridge along a gable end — a wind-exposed edge that requires specific flashing and starter strip installation, and one of the most common locations for storm damage that is missed in initial insurance estimates.
What the Rake Is
The rake is the sloped edge of a roof that runs diagonally from the eave at the bottom to the ridge at the top along the gable end of the structure. On a standard gable roof — the most common residential roof form — there are two rake edges, one on each gable end. On combination roofs with multiple gable sections or dormers, each gable end produces a rake edge that requires specific treatment for waterproofing and wind resistance.
The rake edge is one of the most wind-vulnerable locations on any roof — the sloped edge catches wind from the side, and shingles at the rake edge have less overlapping protection than field shingles in the center of the roof. Properly installed rake edges include drip edge, starter strip, and field shingles trimmed to align precisely with the rake line. When any of these components is missing or damaged, the rake edge becomes a primary entry point for both wind and water.
Rake vs. Eave — Understanding the Difference
The rake and the eave are often confused because both are roof edges — but they are fundamentally different in orientation, function, and vulnerability:
- Eave — the horizontal lower edge of the roof where water drains off into the gutter. Runs parallel to the ground. Primary vulnerability: ice dams and water backup from below. Components: drip edge (installed under underlayment), ice and water shield, starter strip, gutters.
- Rake — the diagonal sloped edge along the gable end. Runs at the same angle as the roof slope. Primary vulnerability: wind uplift of shingle edges. Components: drip edge (installed over underlayment), starter strip, field shingle edge trim.
The installation sequence difference — drip edge installed under underlayment at eaves but over underlayment at rakes — is a specific code requirement that ensures water is directed properly at both edges. A contractor who installs rake drip edge in the wrong sequence has created a waterproofing deficiency that affects the edge’s ability to prevent water infiltration.
Why the Rake Edge Is Vulnerable to Storm Damage
Several characteristics of the rake edge create specific vulnerability to wind and hail damage in Colorado storms:
Wind Exposure
Shingles at the rake edge are exposed to wind forces from the side — forces that push horizontally against the shingle edges rather than lifting them from below as at the eave. Side-directed wind pressure stresses the shingle at the rake line, and shingles that are not properly secured with starter strip and adequate nailing are more susceptible to lifting and displacement under this loading pattern.
Limited Overlapping Protection
Field shingles are trimmed at the rake line to create a clean, finished edge. That trim removes material and exposes the cut edge directly to the elements. Without drip edge and starter strip providing continuous sealing at the rake, the cut shingle edges are vulnerable to wind-driven rain infiltration and uplift.
Direct Hail Impact
The rake edge receives direct, unobstructed hail impact across the full length of each gable end. Cap shingles do not cover the rake — field shingles extend to the rake line — so hail strikes the shingles directly at this exposed edge. Granule loss and impact damage at the rake line are common findings after Colorado hailstorms.
Drip Edge Exposure
Rake drip edge — the metal flashing running the length of the rake edge — is directly exposed to hail impact. Aluminum rake drip edge dents visibly from hail impact, providing clear photographic evidence of storm severity and an additional covered replacement item in any hail damage claim.
Components of a Properly Installed Rake Edge
A code-compliant, properly installed rake edge consists of several components that work together:
Rake Drip Edge
Metal flashing — typically aluminum — installed along the full length of the rake edge over the underlayment. Rake drip edge directs water away from the fascia board at the gable end and provides a finished metal edge that protects the cut shingle edges from wind uplift. Required by the 2021 IRC as adopted in Colorado Springs under PPRBD. Frequently omitted from insurance estimates on older homes where it was previously absent.
Rake Starter Strip
Purpose-made starter strip material — or cut-down shingles used as starter in older installations — installed along the rake edge before field shingles are applied. Rake starter strip seals the first field shingle course against the starter below, preventing wind from lifting the edge shingles and driving rain behind them. Required by most shingle manufacturers for warranty compliance and frequently omitted from insurance estimates despite this requirement.
Field Shingles at the Rake
Field shingles are trimmed and aligned at the rake line to create a clean, consistent edge. The trim cut exposes the shingle’s cut face at the edge — which is why drip edge and starter strip protection at this location is critical. Improperly trimmed shingles that overhang or fall short of the rake line create aesthetic and functional problems.
Rake Edge Damage and Insurance Claims
Rake edges and their components appear in Colorado roof insurance claims in several important contexts:
Missing Drip Edge — Code Upgrade Item
Older Colorado homes frequently lack rake drip edge — it was not consistently required before the 2021 IRC adoption by PPRBD. When a permitted replacement is performed, current code requires drip edge at rakes. The cost of installing rake drip edge that was previously absent is a code upgrade item covered under the ordinance and law provision. One of the most consistently omitted code upgrade line items in initial insurance estimates on older homes.
Storm Damage to Rake Drip Edge
Existing rake drip edge that is present but hail-damaged — dented, lifted, or cracked — is a direct storm damage item covered as collateral damage. Photograph rake drip edge denting systematically as part of any post-storm documentation process. Include in the scope as a direct damage item rather than a code upgrade.
Wind-Displaced Rake Shingles
Shingles at the rake edge are among the first to be displaced in wind events — the side-directed wind pressure combined with the exposed edge creates a high uplift risk. Missing or lifted rake shingles are unambiguous wind damage evidence. Document with photographs showing the displacement pattern and the exposed underlayment or decking beneath.
Missing Rake Starter Strip
Like eave starter strip, rake starter strip is required by most manufacturer warranties and is frequently omitted from insurance estimates. If the initial estimate does not include starter strip at rakes, it is a supplement item worth adding with a reference to the manufacturer’s installation requirements for the specified shingle product.
Rake Edge Measurements in Insurance Estimates
In a Xactimate estimate, rake length is measured as the linear footage of all sloped gable edges on the roof. This measurement drives several line item calculations:
- Drip edge — rake — linear feet of rake drip edge, priced per linear foot at the applicable material rate
- Starter strip — rake — linear feet of rake starter strip, priced per linear foot
- Field shingle waste factor — rake length contributes to the calculation of material waste from edge trimming
Satellite-derived rake measurements in Xactimate are generally accurate on simple gable roofs but can be less precise on complex rooflines with multiple gable ends, dormers, or unusual geometries. Have your contractor verify rake measurements in the field and correct any discrepancies through a supplement.
Common Rake Questions
My estimate includes eave drip edge but not rake drip edge. Is that an error?
Yes — in Colorado Springs under the 2021 IRC as adopted by PPRBD, drip edge is required at both eaves and rakes on all permitted replacements. An estimate that includes eave drip edge but omits rake drip edge is incomplete. Submit a supplement for rake drip edge with the measured linear footage of all rake edges and a citation to the applicable PPRBD requirement. The supplement argument is identical to the eave drip edge argument — code requires it on the replacement regardless of what was present before.
How do I identify rake damage vs. eave damage in my photographs?
The rake edge runs diagonally — you can see it as the sloped edge at the gable end of the roof, running from the eave up to the ridge at the same angle as the roof pitch. The eave runs horizontally along the bottom edge of the roof above the gutters. In photographs, the rake appears as the angular edge at the side of the roof, while the eave is the horizontal bottom edge. Label your photographs specifically — “rake edge, north gable” or “eave, south side” — to make the location clear in any supplement documentation.
Does the rake need ice and water shield like the eave does?
Under the 2021 IRC as adopted in Colorado Springs, ice and water shield is specifically required at eaves (above 7,000 feet elevation) and in valleys. Rake edges are not specifically designated as an ice and water shield required location under the standard code provision — though some manufacturers recommend it in high-wind zones. Standard underlayment at rakes is the code baseline, with ice and water shield at eaves and valleys as the additional requirement. Verify current PPRBD requirements if your property is in an unusual exposure situation.
My roof has multiple gable ends with dormers. How does rake length get calculated?
Each gable end produces a rake edge — including dormer gable ends. A home with a main roof having two gable ends plus two dormers each with their own gable ends has six rake edges that contribute to the total rake linear footage. Satellite measurements sometimes miss dormer rake edges or measure them imprecisely. Your contractor should measure every rake edge individually and sum them for the total — compare that sum to the Xactimate estimate’s rake length figure and supplement for any discrepancy.
How Claim Advocacy Helps With Rake Edge Claims
Rake edge components are among the most consistently incomplete sections of initial Colorado roof insurance estimates — drip edge is omitted, starter strip is missing, and damage to existing rake components is overlooked.
- Rake edge inspection — specifically inspecting every rake edge on the property — including dormer rake edges — for hail impact, missing drip edge, and wind-displaced shingles
- Length verification — measuring all rake edges in the field and comparing against the Xactimate estimate to identify any measurement discrepancies
- Code upgrade documentation — confirming the applicable PPRBD drip edge requirement and citing it in a supplement when rake drip edge is absent from the initial estimate
- Damage documentation — photographing hail denting on rake drip edge and wind displacement of rake shingles as direct storm damage evidence
- Supplement preparation — submitting rake drip edge, starter strip, and damaged component supplements with measurements and photographs in Xactimate format
Related Glossary Terms
- Eave
- Drip Edge
- Starter Strip
- Wind Damage
- Hail Damage
- Flashing
- Code Upgrade Coverage
- IRC (International Residential Code) — Colorado Adoption
- Supplemental Claim
- Scope of Loss
Rake Drip Edge or Starter Strip Missing From Your Estimate?
Rake edge components are consistently missing from initial Colorado roof insurance estimates — drip edge, starter strip, and damage to existing rake components all routinely go unscoped. A free inspection covers every rake edge on your roof with field measurements and documentation so your supplement is ready before you accept a settlement that leaves these covered items out.
📞 Call to discuss your claim: (719) 210-8699
📧 Email: gerald@winik.io