FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In
How-To

Building gutters for a Victorian house

By Dennis Sansiveri Issue 90

Q:

The house I’m living in is a Queen Anne style with open soffits and decorative rafter tails. There are no gutters, and water drips down along the foundation. Another reroofing  job is due next year. I want to remove everything and install a cedar-shingle roof like the original. I also want to have gutters installed. I’ve seen houses similar to mine, with open soffits, and the gutters hang off the end of the roof, sort of flapping in the wind. The appearance leaves something to be desired. Are there any more attractive alternatives?

Leonard Hollman, Eudora, KS

A:

Dennis Sansiveri, a remodeler in Montclair, New Jersey, replies: The most authentic and attractive gutters for a Queen Anne style house have to be built on the roof itself and not on the ends of the rafters. Such gutters are of two varieties—Yankee gutters or built-in gutter boxes. Yankee gutters are constructed by nailing a 2×6 perpendicular to the roof plane, parallel to and a few inches back from the eaves. A cant strip, a triangular ripping of wood, is attached along the inside bottom of the 2×6. This cant strip is tapered to create a pitch for drainage, with the smaller end installed where the water flows into the downspout, called the eaves tube. Support blocks nailed along the front of the 2×6 help strengthen the complete structure, which is then covered with a waterproof membrane, such as ice and snow barrier and 60-lb. roll roofing. Both roofing materials are tucked under the shingles and lapped over the entire Yankee gutter. A line of roof cement holds the first course of shingles to the roll roofing.

More than likely, your Queen Anne style house had built-in gutter boxes, a different style of gutter system from the Yankee. Like the Yankee, the gutter box is built back from the edge of the roof, but it’s built plumb, not perpendicular, to the roof plane. The cant strip is straight, not tapered; the gutter is pitched by cutting different-height triangular 2x blocks and nailing them on 16-in. centers. A strip of 1/2-in. plywood forms the bottom of the gutter. Waterproof membrane laps down the front of the 2×6 and out to the eaves, shingles are applied over the membrane, then flashing is applied to the front of the 2×6, over the membrane and about 1-1/2 in. over the shingles. A 1x trim board is applied to the front of the 2×6, a 5/4 cap is applied on top of the 2×6 and the trim, and the gutter is dressed with a crown, dentil or fretwork that complements the trim on the house. You might want to use cedar trim to blend in with the roofing material, or you could paint the trim to match the house trim. Finally, tack a length of beveled siding along the top of the cap; this siding pitches the cap so that it sheds water back into the gutter.

On the up-slope side of the gutter, waterproof membrane covers the wood cap, lines the inside of the box and extends about 24 in. up the roof. Roofing membrane, a fabric mesh, is laid in the gutter and extended about 8 in. up the roof, then roof cement is worked into the roofing membrane with a trowel, giving the gutter liner strength in all directions. Shingles are brought down to within 1 in. of the bottom of the gutter box. Finally, aluminum or lead-coated copper flashing is bent into a cap and nailed or screwed on top of the wood cap. The fastener heads are caulked to seal out moisture.

Although Yankee gutters are simpler to build, built-in gutter boxes are an original detail on Queen Anne style houses. With an inspection once or twice a year, gutter boxes will last a long time and will keep water from cascading off the roof and ruining your foundation.


Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Hook Blade Roofing Knife

Cutting asphalt shingles is made faster, easier, and safer when using a hook-blade. Suitable for any standard utility knife, these are a must-have on any roofing project.
Buy at Amazon

Ladder Stand Off

Stability is key when working off a ladder or accessing the roof, and this lightweight aluminum stand-off makes any extension ladder safer and more comfortable to use.
Buy at Amazon

Roofing Gun

This lightweight, pneumatic roofing nailer is capable of driving ¾-in to 1¾-in coil roofing nails and has a depth adjustment wheel to dial in nailing depth on the various shingle types you're likely to encounter.
Buy at Amazon

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

View Comments

  1. Arin11222 | Aug 15, 2022 09:02am | #1

    I just want to say thank you for this very detailed and useful answer! I've noticed that Yankee and Box gutters is used interchangeably by people but his explains the difference very well. The images help a ton as well.
    My husband and I are in the process of purchasing an old Victorian house with box gutters completely rotted out, replacing those is in our near future :)

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Old House Air-Sealing Basics

Look high and low to find and plug air leaks that cost you money and comfort.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • FHB Podcast Segment: Roofing on Commercial vs. Residential Buildings
  • A Grand Rescue on the Coast
  • Insulation for Homes in the Wildland Urban Interface
  • From Victorian to Mid-Century Modern: How Unico Fits Any Older Home

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All Videos
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Repairing an Old Home While Maintaining Its Integrity
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Gutter Covers 101
  • Podcast 200: Home Shops, Working Lead-Safe, and Keeping Cool in Carolina
  • Podcast 199: Roof-insulation Retrofit, Codes for Existing Buildings, and Air-sealing Tape Choices
View All

Gutters and Downspouts

View All Gutters and Downspouts Articles
  • Downspout Reroute
  • Do I Need a Gutter Apron?
  • Kickout Flashing for Seamless Siding and Trim
View All Gutters and Downspouts Articles

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in