Structural Glazing

What is a Structural Gutter?

What is a structural gutter and where can you use one?  

A structural gutter is an expert element of structural glass roof designs that can act as both a structural element of the glass roof and a drainage channel.  

Its purpose is to create a minimal and hidden drainage channel within structural glass roof designs.  

Where can a structural gutter be used?  

A structural gutter can be used at any edge of a glass roof that abuts a solid wall.  

Structural gutters are most often used when glass roofs are angled towards the solid wall and a water collection and guttering system is needed at this interface.  

Structural Gutters for Side Infill Extensions  

Structural gutters are very often used on side infill extension projects.  

Due to party wall agreements, the glass roofs of side return extensions often have to drain towards the existing house rather than away. A structural gutter can then be used at the joining of the glass roof to the existing house wall to both support the glass roof of the side infill and drain surface water away.  

The side infill extension at Claremont Square is an excellent example of a structural gutter to a side infill extension roof. The two pane glass roof is pitched towards the existing wall of the London terrace house. Here, a structural gutter forms the connection of the glass roof to the building.  

Internally, the gutter is hidden by the interior building finishes and is only visible from outside through the first floor window.  

 

Structural Gutters for Glass Extensions  

Structural gutters can be used within glass extension designs with glass roofs.  

If the glass roof of a glass extension is pitched back towards the existing building a structural gutter can be used here to both support the glass roof and drain water away.  

The glass extension at Eton Villas is a good example of this. The glass roof of the glass extension is pitched back towards the existing listed house in London. A structural gutter is hidden within the supporting structure to both connect the glass roof to the building and drain water away.  

Using a structural gutter on these extensions can also help to maximise the full height of the glass extension. Find out more about that here. 

 

Structural Gutters for Glass Links 

A frameless glass link is another popular use of a structural gutter.  

These frameless glass designs usually include both glass walls and glass roofs with a minimal design wanted. Large gutters or downpipes can take away from the minimal design of these glass designs so structural gutters can be used for drainage.  

 

How big are structural gutters?  

Structural gutters come in a wide range of sizes. The size of a structural gutter depends on the length, weight of the glass it is supporting and the area of the glass roof that will be draining into it.  

The team at IQ can provide technical advise on the expected size of the structural gutter required based on your project. Get in touch with the team to find out.  

Other drainage options for glass roofs 

There are many drainage options possible for glass roofs. Find out more in our technical article: Water Drainage for Structural Glass Roofs 

Find out more 

Contact the team at IQ to learn more about the possibilities of structural gutters and whether one would be suitable for your project.