Fascia gutters offer an economical alternative to traditional gutter systems because they combine the function of regular gutters with standard fascia panels. Traditional style gutters are typically attached the fascia panels which cover the rafter ends, giving the roof a finished look. Since fascia gutters are designed to eliminate the need of fascia and soffit panels, they work differently from the other available styles of gutters.
While fascia gutters may outwardly resemble standard K-style gutters, the profile of a fascia gutter system is typically deeper and more rectangular. Because of its design, fascia gutters work differently from traditional style gutters. The front edge of a fascia gutter directly connects to the roof’s drip edge. The smooth part of the gutter replaces separate fascia panels and eliminates the need for soffit panels, unless required to fill gaps due to the roof’s configuration.
Because fascia gutters a specifically designed to conceal rafter ends, fascia gutters are available in different sizes and styles. The standard fascia gutter profile can be used to conceal typical roof framing, but for rafters of varying depths or a complex roof configuration, deeper gutters may be needed to hide these types of rafter tails. Since fascia gutters, essentially an enclosed system that acts in a comparable manner to a gutter guard, tend to hold more water than round or K-style gutters, some roofing and gutter contractors believe they can improve drainage and cut down on maintenance costs. However, if gutters do become clogged, a fascia gutter system can be harder to clean because the gutter section must be detached from the roof in order to clear away trapped debris.