Dry Verge Explained:
Is It Worth It?
What the verge is, how a dry verge differs from mortar, and when each makes sense. From JC Property Maintenance, family-run roofers from Winterley who fit and repair dry verge and dry ridge systems.
A mortar-free edge for the gable end of your roof
The verge is the sloping edge of the roof tiles above a gable end. A dry verge finishes that edge with interlocking units fixed to the batten ends with clips or screws, instead of the traditional bed of mortar.
It is worth it where the old mortar keeps cracking and falling out, and it is worth considering when a roof is being re-tiled anyway. Where a mortar verge is still sound, repointing it can be enough. We will tell you which after a look.
What Is the Verge on a Roof?
On a gable end, the wall rises to a point and the roof stops in a sloping edge. Along that edge run the bargeboards, and the tiles that finish just above them form the verge.
Verges were traditionally finished with sand and cement mortar, to keep water out and to stop birds, bees and wasps getting in under the tiles at the edge.
The trouble is that mortar weathers. Frost, wind and the small movements of a roof wear it away, and sooner or later it needs repointing.
Mortar Verge or Dry Verge?
| Mortar verge | Dry verge | |
|---|---|---|
| How it is held | Tiles bedded on sand and cement mortar | Units fixed to the batten ends with clips or screws, not nailed into the end grain, and locked to the tiles |
| What wears out | The mortar, which cracks and crumbles over time | No mortar to crack; the units themselves can be replaced |
| Upkeep | Needs repointing every so often | Less upkeep, though nothing on a roof is maintenance-free |
| Keeping birds out | Relies on the mortar staying whole | Designed to stop birds entering, when fitted properly |
| Water | Keeps water out while the mortar is sound | Not sealed: any water that gets in drains away |
Dry verge details from BMI Redland and Wienerberger, two roof tile manufacturers.
The Case For, and the Catches
The case for a dry verge is simple: no mortar means nothing to crack and drop onto the drive. The units are fixed to the batten ends with clips or screws, not nailed into the end grain, and when they are fitted with the right end pieces they should keep birds out of the roof space.
There are catches. Wienerberger, a tile manufacturer, points out that “dry fix” does not mean watertight: some water gets in, and the units are designed to drain it away so it does not stain the gable wall. The system has to suit your tiles, and it has to be fitted the way the maker intends.
A note on standards
Manufacturers say BS 8612, introduced in 2018, sets the tests for dry-fixed ridge, hip and verge systems, and that the units are now fixed to the batten ends with clips or screws, not nailed into the end grain.
BMI Redland says systems meeting BS 8612 can be used with concrete interlocking tiles, plain tiles and double-lapped slates.
Dry Ridge vs Mortar Ridge, Briefly
The ridge is the line along the top of the roof where the two slopes meet. The same choice applies there: ridge tiles bedded on mortar, or a dry ridge system that fixes them mechanically.
The reasoning is the same as at the verge. Mortar ridges crack and loosen with age; a dry ridge has no mortar to fail, and its fixings are covered by the same BS 8612 standard.
We fit and repair both dry ridge and dry verge systems. The photo shows a dry ridge going on, and one of our customer reviews below is from a dry ridge job.
When a Verge Needs Attention
All of these can be seen from the ground. Please do not go up to check.
- Mortar along the gable edge that is cracked, crumbling or missing in chunks
- Bits of mortar on the drive or in the garden below a gable
- Tiles at the very edge of the roof that look loose or out of line
- Birds or wasps going in and out at the top of a gable wall
Verges, Ridges and Repointing
We fit and repair dry verge and dry ridge systems, and we repoint mortar verges and ridges. We look first and tell you which we think suits your roof. We price after a look, the quote is free, and we take all the waste away.
Verge work is part of our roof repairs service, and the verges are part of the work on a new roof.
The bargeboard below
If the bargeboards under the verge are rotten too, it can make sense to look at both together. Our uPVC fascias and soffits page covers bargeboards, and our guide to the signs your fascias need replacing covers what to look for.
Send Us a Photo of the Gable
A photo of each gable end, taken from the ground, tells us a lot about the verge and the bargeboard under it. WhatsApp it to 07748 025978.
Or get in touch through our contact page.
Ridge and Roof Work from Our Jobs
Photos from our own jobs (click to expand). Job locations are not shown.
What Our Customers Say
"Very friendly & professional"
"We have just had, dry ridge done, we am very happy with the work, very friendly and professional, we would highly recommend"
"Above and beyond"
"So happy with all the work completed today on my roof. Went above and beyond to make sure the roof is water tight. Would 100% recommend"
Dry Verge and Dry Ridge: FAQ
A dry verge is a system of interlocking units fitted along the sloping edge of the roof above a gable end. The units are fixed to the batten ends with clips or screws, not nailed into the end grain, and lock to the tiles, so no mortar is used.
A dry verge is fixed mechanically, so there is no mortar to crack and fall out, which is the usual problem with a mortar verge. A sound mortar verge can still be repointed. We give you our view after a look.
Less than mortar, as there is nothing to repoint, but no part of a roof is maintenance-free. Have a look at the gable edges from the ground after high winds.
There is no single figure. It depends on the system, how it was fitted and how exposed the roof is.
BMI Redland, a roof tile manufacturer, says systems made of individual units suit retrofitting. Whether one suits your roof depends on the tiles and the state of the verge, so we look first.
We price it after a look, because it depends on the length of the verges, the type of tile and how easy the roof is to reach. The free quote gives you the exact price for your house.
Yes. We fit and repair dry ridge and dry verge systems, and we repoint mortar ridges and verges.
Wienerberger, a roof tile manufacturer, says a verge system should stop birds entering the roof space. If birds are already getting in at a gable, tell us and we will look at why.
Ask Us About Your Verge or Ridge
Based in Winterley, near Sandbach. Our van covers Cheshire and Staffordshire, with Sandbach and Crewe closest to home.
Contact Options
Open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm. Closed Sunday.