What Are Box Gutters and Why Shouldn’t They Be Used?

If you’re in the market for new gutters, it is important to get ones that will work well with your home—both functionally and aesthetically. Box gutters, nowadays, are only found in older homes that were built between the late 1800s and early 1900s. They are exactly what they sound like – a box. As newer materials and styles became available, box gutters eventually fell out of fashion. In today’s post, a gutter installation and metal roofing specialist explains why this happened and why you should avoid box gutters at all costs.

What Makes Box Gutters Different?

Unlike today’s gutters that are made from metal, box gutters were made entirely of wood and then covered with a thin piece of metal such as stainless steel or copper. They were built into the overhang of the roof and not separately from the building like most modern gutters. Because of their flat shape, box gutters don’t really have much detail to them and almost resemble your fascia board. They are also one or two times bigger than K-style and half-round gutters.

Because of their size (box gutters start at six inches and can go all the way up to 12-inches), most roofing services providers avoid using box gutters in residential settings. If box gutters ever get clogged, they can actually pull down the fascia board. 

The reason box gutters are still around is because they are made of wood and have the ability to blend into a building’s architecture rather than standing out. This unique feature makes them ideal for some historical applications where gutters need to be concealed from view as to not interrupt the historic aesthetic. 

If you are looking for a reputable gutter and siding contractor in Highland Park, IL, then look no further than Custom Installations. For all your home exterior needs, be sure to give us a call at (847) 558-1967 or fill out our contact form to set up a free consultation today.