A Comprehensive Guide on Box Gutters

When you’re looking for new gutters, you have to make sure that works seamlessly with your structure, regardless if you’re a homeowner or a business owner. It’s worth noting that the importance of your gutters cannot be understated. In fact, your gutter and roof repair expert would tell you that your home’s structure will fail quickly if you pick the wrong gutters for your home, or if you neglect them.

After all, their main purpose is to catch rainwater and redirect it safely away from your foundation. They’re responsible for water management during storms, channeling water from your roof, to the downspout, and into appropriate areas safely away from your home. Without the proper gutter system for your home, dirt and debris can accumulate on your roofing system, causing water to stay still and overflow. Eventually, this will lead to rotting, rusting and other damage. As such, it’s also important to ensure that the gutter you install is the right one for your home.

One of the top gutter types that is gaining popularity as of late are box gutters. However, they might not be ideal for most residential applications. In this post, Shine Construction Inc, the top roof replacement contractor in your area, shares a comprehensive guide on box gutters, and why they aren’t ideal for homes.

What Are Box Gutters?

The name for box gutters comes directly from the way that they look like – exactly shaped like a box. These gutters don’t have too many design features, but they’re built for size, and handling large quantities of water. Oftentimes, you’ll spot box gutters in commercial buildings, solely used for redirecting water away from the roof. It also appears as if it blends in since it looks like it’s a part of the fascia board. It’s also an extension of the fascia board and it features a flat surface on the frontal area of the gutter. Box gutters are generally hand bent brake and can be installed in 10, 20 and 30 foot sections which can also be roll-formed.

How Do They Work?

Your gutter and roof replacement contractor will tell you that box gutters function similarly to standard cased-out gutters. They work by controlling the flow of water from either left or right towards the downspout. These gutters are usually more leveled than residential K-style gutters which are pitched about a quarter of an inch per 10 feet. 

Even if box gutters are installed in a leveled manner, they work the same way as standard gutters, akin to that of an eavestrough with a downspout, or an outlet that allows water to flow away safely from your home’s foundation.

Box Gutters Vs. Traditional Modern Gutters

The first thing you’ll notice is the size and utility of box gutters. Your gutter and roofing contractor will tell you that box gutters are twice as large as traditional K-style gutters, and they have totally different appearances. Most K-style gutters look like a residential indoor crown molding, while box gutters feature a flat front surface, akin to that of a fascia board with no distinct features.

Why Shouldn’t You Use Them For Your Home?

Even if box gutters don’t have distinct features, they perform well by having a large capacity to receive rainwater. You might wonder why they aren’t great for residential applications. For one, residential box gutters can carry too much weight. The sheer weight of the gutter could stress your roofing system’s stability. This could be further worsened by the weight of the water it captures as it can pull down the fascia board on the eaves if the gutters become clogged. You won’t be able to balance it, which is why it’s important to ensure that the gutter size is proportionate to your home. It’s also worth noting that you can have more weight on the inside of the box gutter. In short, your roofing system might not be able to handle the weight of the gutter material, especially when they get clogged, coupled with existing roofing issues.

Best Options For Residential Homes

K-Style Gutters

K-style gutters are popular due to their appearance, mimicking crown molding, and comes in a wide variety of materials. They commonly come in forms of copper, vinyl, steel, or aluminum. Your roofing contractor would recommend aluminum K-style gutters due to the metal’s inherent properties. K-style gutters also come in 5 and 6-inch variants, making them a perfect choice for residential applications. They also receive water very well and it easily transports flowing water from the home’s runoff into the ground, safely away from the foundation.

You can count on Shine Construction Inc. for high-quality exterior improvement solutions, including gutter and window installation, siding replacement and deck building. Our certified team aims to provide the comfort and satisfaction that our customers deserve. Call us at (508) 276-6644 or fill out our contact form to set up an appointment or request a free, no-obligation quote.