FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Main Menu
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Main Menu Subscribe
Tools & Materials

V-11 Rain Diverter

The Vertex V-11 has a 220° curve that recirculates rainwater in a spiral pattern

By Michael Maines
Article Image

In an ideal world, every exterior door would be covered by a roof designed to shed water away from approaching visitors. Or if the roof has gutters, they would perform flawlessly with little maintenance; they would never clog or be sheared off by ice and snow.

Here in the real world, though, cold drips down the back of the neck are common when entry doors (or other circulation paths) are under eaves. One typical solution is a simple L-shaped metal rain diverter slipped under the shingles. They work fine for light rain, but they are not attractive and can be easily overwhelmed in a downpour.

Ray O’Brien, owner of Vertex Specialty Fabrications, a metal fabricator and installer in Yarmouth, Maine, has improved on the basic rain diverter with his V-11 Rain Diverters. To coordinate with most roofs, they are available in 20-oz. copper and in black or bronze 0.032-in. aluminum (and in other metals or colors on request) in 5-ft. and 10-ft. lengths, with prices starting at about $23 apiece. What really makes the V-11 special is the design, a 220° curve that recirculates rainwater in a spiral pattern instead of spilling it over the top. A short leg ensures the diverter’s effectiveness. To install, simply slide the flat leg under the second or third row of shingles from the eave, put in a few nails where they will be covered, and seal the shingles down again. The diverter is designed to be installed nearly parallel with the roof shingles; an inch or two of slope over its length is enough to drain water and is not visually distracting or hard to install. Visit V11raindiverter.com for more information.

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

Sign Up

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

×

Editor Test Results:

Overall RatingN/A

Manufacturer Specifications:

ManufacturerVertex
Manufacturer's Web Sitehttp://www.vertexfab.com
Manufacturer's Phone Number(207) 846-3091
WeightN/A
DimensionsAvailable in 5-ft. and 10-ft. lengths
X
X

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

Comments are closed.

Up Next

Featured Story

FHB's 40th Anniversary Tips Video Contest

Record yourself demonstrating a favorite tip from the Fine Homebuilding archive to win a cordless compact router kit.

Featured Video

How to Install Exterior Window Trim

In this episode of Shop Class, learn how to measure, cut, and build window casing made of cellular PVC, solid wood, poly-ash boards, or any common molding material. Plus, get tips for a clean and solid installation.

Related Stories

  • Working With Wood Gutters

  • 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

  • Rain Diverter Protects an Uncovered Exterior Entryway

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

    Sign Up See all newsletters

Video

View All
  • 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

  • direct-water-into-gutters

    Direct Water Into Gutters With a Kickout Flashing Diverter

  • Inspecting Old Houses: Exteriors

View All

Gutters and Downspouts

View All
  • How to Hang Half-Round Gutters

  • Functional Water Feature

  • Wood-like Fiberglass Gutters

  • Fixing Common Gutter Blunders

View All

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Fine Homebuilding Magazine Slipcase

    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition

    Buy Now
  • 2020 Fine Homebuilding Archive

    Buy Now
  • Musings of an Energy Nerd

    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 297 - Feb/Mar 2021

    • Foundations for Success
    • Staircase Renovation
    • Ditch the Hose
  • Issue 296 - Dec 2020/Jan 2021

    • Insulating Glass Keeps Getting Better
    • Simple Way to Make Old Walls Straight and Plumb
    • Making Sense of Minisplits
  • Issue 295 - Kitchens & Baths

    • Condo Kitchen Reimagined
    • Row-House Remodel
    • Rise of the IAQ Monitor
  • Issue 294 - Oct/Nov 2020

    • Schoolhouse Reimagined
    • Tool Test: Folding Sawhorses
    • A Better Way to Build Tall Walls
  • Issue 293 - Aug/Sept 2020

    • A Practical Guide to Fall Protection
    • Installing Frameless Cabinets
    • Make Any Tablesaw Safer

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

Newsletter

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

Sign Up See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Manage Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility
  • CA Privacy Rights

© 2021 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Main Menu

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

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk
  • Account

  • Log In
  • Join

    Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk
  • 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

    Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

    More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

    Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

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

Sign Up See all newsletters

Follow

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 52%

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