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When it rains, it pours. And when the rain has subsided, all that rainwater ends up in your gutter system…or does it?
If your gutter system catches little to no rainwater at all, then we have a serious problem at our hands.
Your roof will usually have a drip edge installed to direct water into the gutter. Sometimes though, this won’t be enough.
Left untreated, your roof and gutter will only continue to deteriorate.
Enter gutter apron – the solution to your gutter problem and a handy friend of your drip edge.
What is a Gutter Apron?
A gutter apron is a specially designed drip edge folded at 120 degrees that helps direct water away into your gutter.
We all know just how dangerous water seeping underneath your shingles can be, right?
A gutter system that doesn’t collect rainwater can be just as detrimental to your roof. This means mold in your siding and rotting soffits.
Even if you had drip edges installed to protect your roof shingles, it’s not wise to overlook the importance of gutter flashing.
Gutters serve an essential role against rainwater, so it’s only likely that protecting your gutter from mold, rot, and extended damage is vital to your roof’s health.
How Does a Gutter Apron Work?
A gutter apron is installed under your starter shingle course and is even more useful if your roof shingles don’t extend far enough to direct rainwater into the gutter.
Gutter flashing also protects the back of the gutter, since gutter aprons are installed by hanging down an inch below the back of the gutter.
This protects your gutter from any splashing or dripping that occurs behind the gutter.
Gutter aprons also come in larger dimensions compared to a drip edge gutter, wherein the gutter apron hangs over your roof sheathing.
If your shingles weren’t installed properly or directing water to your gutter and behind it is an issue, gutter aprons are a must-have roof material to install as part of your roof system.
How to Install a Gutter Apron
There are only two steps needed to install a gutter apron.
Step 1: Install the top section of your apron by slipping it under the starter shingle course. This refers to the layer directly above the roof sheathing.
Step 2: Lift the roofing shingles and fasten your gutter aprons using roofing nails.
Although a gutter apron installation is relatively easy, we don’t recommend performing the installation yourself.
Lifting the roofing shingles takes delicate handy work. Improper lifting could damage the shingles and result in costly repairs.
Take note as well that tile shingles, membrane roofing, and slate cannot be lifted, so you should consult your roofing contractor before performing the installation.
Finally, we recommend installing a gutter apron on your roof edge when installing a new roof.
If you’re replacing your roof, it’s highly advisable you consult licensed roofing professional to ensure the safety of your roof system.
How to Find a Reputable Roofing Company
Installing any roofing material is just as vital as the roofing company who performs the installation.
With that said, here are a few things you should consider:
Always Ask for a Quote
Asking for a quote will give you a list of options to choose from so you can decide which roofing company is best suited to your needs.
It’s all about trimming your options and considering your budget, labor quality, length of the installation, and warranty coverages.
Browse and Read Through Reviews
Consumer reviews have a certain advantage compared to personally talking to the company.
You’ll find honest reviews, which provide feedback you can use to help you decide effectively. Of course, you’ll need to verify the site you view the reviews are trustworthy.
It’s important to note that consumer reviews can make or break a purchase. You’ll have a better feel of how the company works with its customers, their service quality, and the experience customers had.
All in all, this is invaluable to your purchase decision and will guide you into choosing the best roofing company.
Request for Proof of Insurance
Asking for proof of insurance will spare you any additional costly repairs that may occur during the apron installation. This also includes warranty coverage and a guaranteed quality installation.
A quality roofing company will provide proof of insurance to ensure your peace of mind during the installation, so be on the lookout for those who do and those who don’t.
Gutter Apron Vs. Drip Edge
While both your gutter apron and drip edge serve the primary role of directing the water into the gutter, they’re also different in size and how they’re installed.
For one, a drip edge usually comes in a T-shape design, whereas a gutter apron comes in an L-shaped design. In addition, gutter aprons are ideal for a low slope roof.
One of the main advantages of installing a drip edge is it provides protection for your fascia board. Water and excess moisture are dangerous to the health of your fascia board.
A drip edge, which is installed along the eaves and roof edge, directs the water away from your fascia board and into the gutter.
On the other hand, a gutter apron has the advantage of providing you with less maintenance over time.
Gutter flashing or gutter apron serves the primary purpose of collecting all the water. This spares you the hassle and stress of having to collect the water from the attic yourself and clean it.
Now, what about installation, reliability, and costs? We’ll go over each in further detail in the sections below.
Installation
Installing a drip edge or a gutter apron is not as difficult as one would expect.
In fact, a drip edge is necessary to have for every roof and to protect your attic. The design of your attic though, can affect the installation process.
If your attic design has a lot of curvy edges and sides, installing a gutter apron would be a preferred option.
The drawback of installing a drip edge on an attic that has this design is it leaves the curvy edges exposed.
Leaving any parts of your roof exposed to UV rays, heat, water, and moisture means higher maintenance and replacement costs in the future.
We don’t want that now, don’t we?
Reliability
Both your gutter apron and drip edge are reliable and durable roofing materials. Against UV rays and moisture, this shouldn’t be a problem at all for either.
The only problem is if it’s installed poorly. A drip edge can be replaced and installed on your roof again easily.
On the other hand, a gutter apron will be of no use if the installation wasn’t done right. Should this happen, you’ll have to look for alternatives to protect your roof and direct water into the gutter.
Costs
Installing a gutter drip edge and gutter apron are cost-effective roofing materials ranging between $1 to $3 per linear foot.
Unless you choose a more expensive material, then it would also mean a more costly installation, but aside from that, there isn’t a huge difference between the two.
Is Installing a Gutter Apron Worth It?
If you have to replace your gutter, we recommend installing gutter flashing. Gutter flashing effectively seals the gap from your roofing shingle to your gutter.
Even with a drip edge installed, gutter flashing adds extra protection against rot, mold, and decay to your gutter, ensuring your roof’s safety and water leak prevention.
All in all, installing a gutter apron isn’t expensive to install, and they also provide lesser maintenance over time, so they’re definitely worth the investment.
