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Install or repair a box gutter.
Hidden parapet box gutters — lead, GRP or EPDM lined, repaired or replaced where leaking.
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Costs, timelines, pitfalls and the right questions to ask before any guttering starts on box Gutter Installation & Repair.
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Top tips
Hiring a guttering, without the regret.
Four moves that separate a smooth job from a nightmare.
No upstand into the wall
Lead just laid against the brick lets water track behind. A 25mm chase indent with lead dressed in is the correct detail.
Insufficient fall
Less than 1:160 lets water pool and find any pinhole. Aim for 1:80 to 1:160.
Lead splits
Lead expansion not accommodated splits the sheet within 5 years. Joints every 1.5m max.
Outlet undersized
A 50mm outlet on a 3m parapet gutter overflows in heavy rain. Aim for 75–100mm outlets with at least 2x the calculated capacity.
Costs & timeline
Know what it costs. Know when it ends.
Indicative UK ranges and what affects price.
Cost range
By job type
Inc. VAT · 2026
Source: NMT quotes
Source: NMT quotes
Lead box gutter per metreCode 5 or 6 lead, traditional
£120–£280
GRP box gutter per metreHand-laid, 25-year warranty
£80–£180
EPDM box gutter per metreMembrane, single-piece
£50–£120
Aluminium box gutter per metrePowder-coated
£90–£200
Outlet & downpipe connectionDrainage compatible
£120–£350
Install labour (3m run)1–2 days
£250–£700
!
Quote spread is typically ± 18% — always get 3 quotes.
At a glance
Infographic · VideoThe Guttering briefing.
Infographic
Guttering quick-view
Video guide
Guttering explained
Box gutters channel water at roof junctions where standard pitched gutters don't work — typically along parapets, between adjacent roofs, or between a conservatory and a wall. They are the highest-risk gutter type in the UK because failure dumps water directly into the building. Expect to pay £350–£2,500 fitted for a new or replacement box gutter.
What Does the Work Involve?
The roofer measures the channel, lifts the roof tiles or membrane at the junction, lays a continuous waterproof tray (lead, GRP, EPDM or aluminium), forms the fall (1:80 to 1:160 toward the outlet), dresses the upstand into the wall chase (or under the adjacent roof), fits the outlet and downpipe, and re-fits the tiles or membrane. Lead is the heritage choice; GRP is the modern long-life solution; EPDM is the cheapest.
Typical Costs
| Item | Low (£) | High (£) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead box gutter per metre | 120 | 280 | Code 5 or 6 lead, traditional |
| GRP box gutter per metre | 80 | 180 | Hand-laid, 25-year warranty |
| EPDM box gutter per metre | 50 | 120 | Membrane, single-piece |
| Aluminium box gutter per metre | 90 | 200 | Powder-coated |
| Outlet & downpipe connection | 120 | 350 | Drainage compatible |
| Install labour (3m run) | 250 | 700 | 1–2 days |
| Scaffolding for access | 250 | 900 | 3–5 days |
How Long Does It Take?
Single 2–3m box gutter: 1–2 days. Multiple junctions or a parapet gutter on a Georgian terrace: 3–5 days. Plus scaffold time.
DIY or Professional?
Professional only. Box gutters require lead dressing skills (or GRP lay-up skills), watertight upstand detailing into masonry chases, and dead-correct fall. A leaking box gutter dumps water into the structure of the house — repair costs run into £000s.
Choosing the Right Tradesperson
A specialist roofer, leadworker, or GRP installer. Ask the warranty — 25 years on GRP is industry standard. Specify Code 5 lead minimum for residential, Code 6 for parapets. Insist on a chase indent (not just surface-laid lead) for the upstand into the wall.
UK Regulations
Box gutters must drain via outlet and downpipe to a soakaway or surface-water drain per Part H. BS 6229 covers flat-roof and box-gutter design. Lead work over 3m² is exempt from Building Regs but should follow Lead Sheet Association guidelines. Listed buildings require like-for-like materials.
Common Problems
- No upstand into the wall: Lead just laid against the brick lets water track behind. A 25mm chase indent with lead dressed in is the correct detail.
- Insufficient fall: Less than 1:160 lets water pool and find any pinhole. Aim for 1:80 to 1:160.
- Lead splits: Lead expansion not accommodated splits the sheet within 5 years. Joints every 1.5m max.
- Outlet undersized: A 50mm outlet on a 3m parapet gutter overflows in heavy rain. Aim for 75–100mm outlets with at least 2x the calculated capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a box gutter and a parapet gutter?
A box gutter is rectangular in cross-section, running along any roof junction. A parapet gutter is specifically the gutter that runs along the top of a parapet wall, between the parapet and the roof.
Lead, GRP or EPDM — which is best?
Lead for heritage and listed buildings (80+ year life). GRP for modern domestic (25-year warranty, lighter, less theft target). EPDM for short-term or budget (15–20 year life).
Why do box gutters fail more often than pitched?
Standing water (not all box gutters have enough fall) finds any defect. Pitched gutters drain faster. Box gutters are also harder to access for maintenance.
Can I clean a box gutter myself?
Only with safe access (scaffold tower or platform). Box gutters need cleaning twice a year due to their slower flow.
How do I tell if my box gutter is leaking?
Water marks at the wall chase below; tide-marks inside the loft along the line of the gutter; damp internally at the junction wall in the room below.
Does a box gutter need an overflow?
Yes — Part H requires an overflow weir or pipe sized to handle the calculated rainfall if the main outlet blocks. A blocked box gutter without an overflow can flood the interior.
This guide was written with AI assistance and is intended for general information only. Prices are estimates based on UK averages and may vary by region. Always get at least three quotes and consult a qualified professional before starting any work.
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