How To Build A Box Gutter

Section from the box miter with a tin snips and you ve got yourself a custom slip joint.

How to build a box gutter. A box gutter is actually built into the bottom of the roof or into the roof overhang. The wooden structure should slope to the outlet hole which should be positioned at the lowest point of the gutter. The old box gutters worked great in the day. How to make wood gutters.

Cut mini notched rafters called lookouts from the 2 by 6 inch roofing lumber stock. The k style gutter is an adaptation from a design based on the classical orders of design. Low and behold the box gutter is rotted out. The bottom edge of the lookout should rest on the top of the wall extending passed the outside face of the.

When you buy your new gutter section make sure you order either an inside or outside box miter at the same time. Built in gutters also referred to as box gutters are considered a concealed roof drainage system. The shape of the box gutter is created by a skilled carpenter as the shape and slope of the gutter is completely controlled by this craftsman. The issue today is the copper would disappear not counting the cost to reinstall.

The foundation of most box gutters is wood that is then covered with thin sheet metal such as tin copper lead stainless steel or some other metal that will not readily corrode. The esthetics of the box gutter hid the gutter from sight which was important during that time. A slate tile roof connecting to the box gutter and then to the copper spouts. Nail each lookout to a rafter.

For box gutters to work effectively they should be installed by building them into the bottom of the roof or into the roof overhang. Box gutter can be repaired several different ways patch and cover with the holes with metal then line inside with rubber you can also make a new cap to go over the top too keep the look. K style gutters for houses built after 1950. Since they are not readily visible they typically don t alter the historic character of buildings and don t detract from or conceal decorative cornice details.

In many cases however a built in or box gutter may be what your house originally had and what it should have now.