Know Your Roof · Gutters

Gutter Apron: What It Is and How It Differs From Drip Edge

Quick answer

A gutter apron is a strip of metal flashing along the roof edge that guides water off the shingles and into the gutter, so it doesn't run down behind it onto the fascia. It's a type of drip edge with a longer lip that reaches out over the gutter.

Last updated

Rooftop Relief installs 6-inch seamless gutters with 3x4 downspouts.

What a gutter apron does

Water leaving a roof wants to cling to the edge. Without the right flashing it curls back under the shingles and runs down behind the gutter, into the fascia and soffit. An apron bridges the gap and sends the water where it belongs.

Drip edge vs gutter apron

ItemDrip edgeGutter apron
ShapeShort L-shaped lipLonger, extended lip
JobSheds water off the edge and protects the deck and fasciaDoes the same, and reaches out over the gutter
Best forStandard gutters set close to the fasciaGutters set farther from the fascia, or hidden-hanger systems

On a lot of roofs a standard drip edge is enough. Where the gutter sits back from the fascia, an apron is the safer call.

Signs of a missing or failed apron

Water stains or peeling paint behind the gutter. Rotted fascia or soffit along the gutter line. Water dripping down behind the gutter in rain. Shingles that stop short of the gutter.

Looking for another word? See the roofing terms glossary, A to Z.

FAQ

Gutter Apron: common questions

Do I need a gutter apron?

If water runs behind your gutters, or the gutter sits away from the roof edge, an apron or a properly installed drip edge is the fix.

Does a gutter apron go over or under the underlayment?

At the eave, drip edge and apron metal normally goes under the underlayment, so water runs over the top of the metal.

Can you add a gutter apron later?

Often, as part of rehanging gutters or a re-roof, since the shingles at the edge have to be lifted.

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Related terms

  • Drip Edge

    Drip edge is a strip of L-shaped metal flashing along the edges of a roof. It sends water off the shingles and into the gutter, and keeps it from soaking the roof deck and fascia. It's a cheap part that protects wood that rots easily.

  • Eave

    The eave is the lower edge of a roof, where it overhangs the exterior wall. It's where your gutters hang. Fascia, soffit and drip edge all meet there, and because water and ice collect at the eave, it's a common spot for leaks and rot.

  • Fascia Board

    A fascia board is the long, straight board that runs along the edge of your roof. It caps the ends of the rafters, gives your gutters something solid to attach to, and finishes the roof edge so water and animals stay out.

  • K-Style Gutters

    K-style gutters have a flat back and a front shaped like stair steps or crown molding, so the end looks like the letter K. They're the most common gutter on American homes. They hold more water than a half-round gutter of the same width, and they come in several materials.

  • Roof Flashing

    Roof flashing is thin metal, sometimes rubber, installed wherever a roof meets something else: a chimney, a wall, a vent, a valley. It steers water over those weak spots and away from the roof deck. A lot of roof leaks start at flashing, not in the middle of the shingles.

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