Wooden gutters are one of those features that can add a tremendous amount of character to an older home.
They were built to look like part of the architecture, not something added after the fact.
Today, however, caring for these gutters can be a real challenge.
There are generally two types of wooden gutter systems found on older homes.
Some are built much like modern seamless aluminum gutters, with a long, continuous wooden channel.
Others are more traditional trough-style systems that are built into the roofline.
Both styles can last for many years when they are properly maintained.
Traditionally, one of the most common ways to protect a trough-style wooden gutter was to line the inside with red copper.
Another approach, which could be used on all types of wooden gutter systems, was to regularly treat the inside of the wood with linseed oil.
In theory, this could be done every six months or once a year.
The problem is that maintaining wooden gutters this way is not as simple as it once was.
Linseed oil products are not necessarily what they used to be, and regular maintenance takes time.
For many homeowners, finding the time to properly clean, prepare, and treat the inside of a gutter system every year is simply not realistic.
The result is often predictable.
Years go by without consistent treatment, moisture gets into the wood, and sections of the gutter begin to rot.
At that point, homeowners can find themselves facing an uncomfortable choice: replace the historic wooden gutters with a modern aluminum system or find
someone who truly understands how to repair and preserve what is already there.
For homeowners who care about the architectural character of an older home, the second option can make a lot more sense.
Specialized wooden gutter restoration is an area of work we understand well at our company.
After making the necessary technical repairs to areas where the wood has experienced rot, we use a modern interior protection system designed to provide a much more permanent solution.
The process starts by thoroughly cleaning and preparing the inside of the wooden gutter.
We then apply one coat of a robust oil-based primer, followed by two coats of the GACO liquid silicone system.
Once properly installed, the GACO system is designed to provide 50+ years of service.
This creates what we like to call a “one-and-done” approach.
Instead of having to remember to treat the inside of the gutters every year or two, the goal is to stabilize and protect the system for decades.
That means the wooden gutters can continue to provide the architectural beauty they were intended to provide, while also helping preserve their structural integrity.
Most importantly, homeowners do not have to worry about finding someone every year who knows how to properly maintain these unique systems.
Older homes deserve solutions that respect what makes them special.
Modern technology does not always mean replacing an old feature
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