Gutters & Downspouts: Built-in Gutter

{Gallery under construction…} Built-in gutter must be installed before the roof is installed. On existing houses this means that they should be installed while re-roofing. With traditional gutters, any leaks at the seams or miters, the water is outside the building. With built-in gutter any leaks are either into the soffit or directly into the building. This is why it is so important to line the wood framing with ice and water shield. Then install the gutter and strip-in the flange of the gutter with more ice and water shield. Copper or stainless steel is the metal of choice for this application. They will last as long as the roof. Galvanized steel can be used, but with an average life of 20 years, they may not last as long as the roof without a good maintenance schedule. One way to make the galvanized gutters last longer is to wait a year then paint the inside of the gutter with good quality paint.