What Is Rake Trim?
Rake trim — also called gable trim, rake flashing, or verge angle (on metal buildings) — is the sheet metal profile that runs along the sloped edge of a roof at the gable end. It serves three purposes: weathering the exposed cut edge of the roofing material at the gable, providing a finished visual appearance at the roof edge, and in some profiles, acting as the termination point for the underlayment.
The "rake" of a roof is the sloped portion from eave to ridge at the gable end — as opposed to the "eave," which is the horizontal lower edge. Rake trim is installed at an angle equal to the roof pitch, running parallel to the roof slope. On a 6:12 pitch roof, rake trim is installed at approximately 26.6° from horizontal.
Rake Trim Profile Geometry
The standard rake trim profile has three key components:
- Top leg (deck leg) — lies flat on the roof deck, going under the roofing material. Typically 2"–4" long, providing the mechanical anchor and underlayment termination surface.
- Face leg (fascia leg) — the vertical portion that covers the gable-end fascia or the edge of the roof panel. Width ranges from 1½" on minimal light commercial profiles to 6" on architectural applications where the rake line is a design element.
- Return hem or drip — the hemmed bottom of the face leg that kicks water away from the fascia and provides edge stiffness. A ½"–¾" closed hem is standard; open hems are used where the hem will be hidden.
On metal buildings, rake trim (called endwall trim or verge angle) adds a back leg that closes against the roof panel, making it effectively a three-leg profile. The back leg grips the panel and prevents wind from lifting the trim edge.
Where Rake Trim Is Used
- Sloped roofs — at both gable ends from eave to ridge, over asphalt shingles, metal panels, tile underlayment, or synthetic roofing on light-commercial and commercial construction
- Metal building endwalls — where the roof panel terminates at the gable frame, typically a three-leg profile that engages both the panel and the endwall frame
- Re-roofing projects — where new roofing increases the deck height and the existing rake trim is too shallow to cover the new assembly
- Custom architectural roofs — where the rake line is a visible design element requiring color-matched Kynar paint and a wider face leg for visual impact
Custom Rake Trim Situations
Standard stock rake trim profiles handle most light commercial applications with standard fascia dimensions and standard roof pitches. Custom rake trim is needed when:
- The fascia board height doesn't match the standard 1½"–2½" face leg on stock profiles
- The architect specifies a specific color or coating not available in stock materials
- The roof pitch is steep enough that the top leg needs to be longer for adequate deck coverage
- A metal building has non-standard endwall panel conditions that require a modified profile geometry
- The rake overhangs the gable wall enough that a combined rake-fascia-soffit profile is needed in a single piece
Materials and Thicknesses
| Material | Thickness | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | .032" | Standard light commercial rake trim, face legs up to 3" |
| Aluminum | .040" | Wider face legs (4"+), architectural, Kynar painted |
| Aluminum | .050" | Heavy commercial, wide face legs with long spans between fasteners |
| Galvalume steel | 26 ga. | Light commercial, metal building systems in steel |
| Galvalume steel | 24 ga. | Commercial metal buildings, eave trim and rake trim consistency |
How Trimgy Handles Rake Trim
Rake trim is drawn on Trimgy as a cross-section profile — the same way all trim types are drawn. You define the top leg, face leg, and hem return by clicking on the 1/4" grid. The pitch angle of the roof doesn't affect the cross-section geometry (the profile is the same at any pitch); it affects only the linear footage calculation based on the rise-and-run of the gable.
For metal building erectors who need a custom rake profile to match a non-standard panel condition, Trimgy's 1/4" precision grid makes it possible to dial in leg dimensions to within 1/8" — tighter than most hand-fabricated profiles. Orders transmit directly to fabrication without re-interpretation, eliminating the common issue of a shop misreading the profile from a hand sketch.
See our guide to custom flashing on non-standard roof pitches →
Draw Your Rake Trim Profile on Trimgy
Any face leg height, any material. The AI can draft from a plain-English description like "4-inch face leg, 2-inch top leg, .040 aluminum, closed hem".
Start Drawing Free →Frequently Asked Questions
Does rake trim need to be pitched to match the roof slope?
The cross-section profile is drawn square — pitch angle is handled by installation. What changes with steeper roofs is the required top leg length for adequate coverage under the roofing, and the total linear footage calculation based on the gable rise-run geometry.
What is the difference between rake trim and drip edge at the rake?
Drip edge at the rake is a simple L-profile installed over underlayment. Rake trim typically has a wider face leg (2"–6") for visual coverage and is considered a finished architectural element, not just weathering. The distinction is mostly face coverage and aesthetics.
What material is best for rake trim?
Aluminum is preferred — lightweight, corrosion-resistant without painting, and available in Kynar colors. .032" for standard profiles, .040" for wider face legs. Steel 26 ga. Galvalume is used on metal building systems where steel is already the panel material.
How do I order rake trim for a steep-pitch roof?
The cross-section profile is the same regardless of pitch. On steep roofs, you may need a longer top leg for adequate coverage. Calculate linear footage using the actual sloped length of the gable, not the horizontal run.
What is the typical price for custom rake trim?
Custom aluminum rake trim at .032" with a 3" face typically runs $3–$5/LF for material. Wider profiles (.040", 4"–6" face) run $5–$8/LF. Kynar paint adds 35%–50%. LTL freight adds $0.50–$1.50/LF.