Gutter Glossary | Premier Gutters KC

A — F

Aluminum gauge: Thickness of the aluminum. .032 is heavy-gauge (what Premier installs). .025 is builder-grade (what discount installers use — fails in KC freeze-thaw).
Apron (gutter apron): L-shaped piece of metal slid under the shingles that directs water into the gutter. Prevents water from flowing behind the gutter.
Crown: The decorative top edge of a K-style gutter that mimics crown molding. Aesthetic, not functional.
Downspout: The vertical pipe that carries water from the gutter to the ground. Standard 2x3, oversized 3x4.
Drip edge: Metal flashing at the roof edge that directs water away from the fascia and into the gutter. Required by code.
Elbow: Bent downspout piece used to change direction. A-elbow (front-to-back), B-elbow (side-to-side).
End cap: Piece sealed onto the end of a gutter run to close it off. Common leak point as sealant ages.
Fascia: The vertical wood board behind the gutter, attached to the roof rafters. The gutter mounts to this. Rotted fascia = pulling-away gutters.
Ferrule: The metal tube in spike-and-ferrule gutter hangers that the spike drives through. Old-school, prone to failure.

Gauge: Thickness of metal. Lower number = thicker. .032 is the residential standard for quality install; .025 is builder-grade.
Gutter guard: Covering installed over the gutter opening to keep debris out. Micro-mesh (LeafBlaster Pro) is the strongest type for KC's mixed canopy.
Half-round gutter: Older-style semicircular gutter profile. Common on pre-1960s KC homes; specialty install today.
Hangers (hidden hangers): Internal brackets that hold the gutter to the fascia. Hidden hangers spaced every 18-24 inches = quality install. Spike-and-ferrule = old school, fails earlier.
K-style: The most common modern gutter profile — looks like a crown molding viewed from the side. Standard for new KC residential installs.
Linear foot: One foot of straight gutter length. Pricing is typically $8-$15 per linear foot installed for K-style aluminum.
Miter: The angled corner where two gutter runs meet. Common leak point; quality installers hand-form miters for tighter fit.
Oversized: Gutters or downspouts larger than standard (6"/7" gutters, 3x4 downspouts). Needed for KC homes with large roof slopes or heavy trees.

Pitch (slope): The angle the gutter is installed at, sloping toward the downspout. Correct pitch = 1/4 inch per 10 feet. Wrong pitch = standing water.
Rake board: The diagonal trim board along the gable end of a roof. Often confused with fascia.
Roll forming (extrusion): On-site machine that creates seamless gutter in any length. Why "seamless" is possible — the gutter is made TO your home, not assembled from sections.
Sealant (tri-polymer): The caulk-like material applied at miters, end caps, and joints to make them watertight. Quality sealants last 8-12 years in KC freeze-thaw.
Seamless gutter: One continuous run of gutter formed on-site to your home's exact dimensions. No joints between sections = no joint leaks.
Sectional gutter: Old-style gutters made from pre-cut sections joined together. Common on pre-1980s KC homes. Joints leak in 5-8 years.
Soffit: The horizontal board on the underside of the eave, between the fascia and the wall. Often vented for attic airflow.
Spike-and-ferrule: Old gutter mounting system using a long spike driven through a ferrule (tube). Prone to popping out as wood ages. Replaced by hidden hangers in modern installs.
Sub-fascia: The structural board behind the visible fascia. Sub-fascia rot is hidden until the fascia is removed.