Gutters play an important role in protecting homes by directing harmful rainwater away from the building and property. Not all homes have the same type of gutter installation. Some houses, especially older or architecturally unique ones, feature hanging gutters—gutters suspended from the roof using rods and nuts instead of being attached to a fascia board.
While this installation method allows for strong and effective water drainage, it also comes with challenges, particularly when it comes to keeping the gutters free of debris and preventing gutter clogs. Traditional gutter guards are often difficult and expensive to install on hanging gutters, requiring extensive fitting and trimming around each hanger rod. Fortunately, GutterBrush provides an innovative, easy-to-install solution that solves the clogging problem in hanging gutters without the hassle of cutting or custom fitting.
In this article, we’ll explore how hanging gutters work, why traditional gutter guards don’t fit well, and why GutterBrush is the best choice for preventing clogs in these unique gutter systems.
Hanging Gutters - Not To Be Confused With Hanging Gutters
This article mainly refers to hanging gutters with the word “hanging” being an adjective describing the way the gutter is installed, however the term can also be used as a verb referring to the act of installing or hanging a gutter. Readers will be very happy to learn that if you are installing a brand new gutter, you can do so with the Gutterbrush gutter guard already inside so it saves the additional step of having to install the gutter guard after the gutter has already been installed. Here’s a link to a 32 second video showing how a new gutter can be installed with the GutterBrush gutter guard already installed in the gutter.
Hanging Gutters: What Are They and Why Are They Used?
Most modern homes have a fascia board along the edge of the roof, which provides a solid surface for attaching gutters. However, some homes—especially historic houses, vacation cottages, and older bungalows—do not have fascia boards. Instead, they often have decorative crown molding, which is not structurally strong enough to support the weight of a gutter.
To solve this, builders use a hanging gutter system, where gutters are suspended from the roof using rods and nuts. This type of system is also known as a "rod-and-nut gutter hanger system" or "vampire hanger system."
Hanging gutters are commonly found in:
- Older seaside vacation homes – Many homes in beach communities were originally built as summer getaways and were not designed with full amenities like fascia boards or heating systems. Over time, as these areas became year-round residential communities, gutters were added using hanging systems.
- Historic homes – Many historic houses were built before fascia boards became standard, requiring alternative gutter-hanging methods.
- Metal buildings and commercial structures – Some industrial and commercial buildings also use hanging gutters, especially if they have metal roofing where the gutter is strapped to the roof ribs impeding the installation of a common gutter guard, screen, mesh, or filter.
Hanging gutters are fully adjustable during installation, allowing the installer to fine-tune the slope of the gutter by adjusting the nut’s height on the rod. However, over time, aluminum rods and nuts can fuse together due to corrosion, making adjustments difficult. Copper gutters, especially copper half-round hanging gutters, often use brass rods and nuts, which do not fuse over time, making them easier to adjust even after many years.
Roof Bar Hanger With Rod and Nut Gutter Guard - Supplier
To buy rod and nut hangers for gutters, there is a very high quality supplier called Berger Building Products. I bought from them for years and they have all sorts of gutter products. You can not buy the best brush gutter guard, GutterBrush from Berger Building Products, but you can buy the Bar Hanger with Rod and Nut and here's a link to their web site.
as in the above picture,
As in the above picture, any style gutter including the k style gutter in the picture, can be hung by rod and nut hangers.
Leaf Guards for Hanging Gutters - Challenges
While hanging gutters provide excellent drainage and durability, like other gutters they are prone to clogging due to the open design. Leaves, pine needles, and other debris can easily enter the gutters, causing blockages that prevent proper water flow.
Many homeowners look for a hanging gutter leaf guard to prevent clogs, but traditional gutter guards often do not fit well on hanging gutters due to several reasons:
1. Trimming Around Every Hanger Rods is Time-Consuming
Most gutter guards—like mesh screens or metal covers— get installed over the gutter cross bar hangers so they all must be cut and trimmed to fit around each individual hanger rod. This process is labor-intensive, expensive, and often requires professional installation.
2. Clogs Can Still Form a Debris Ramp on Top of Traditional Gutter Guards
Some traditional guards, such as perforated aluminum covers or screen guards, create a flat surface where debris can accumulate and sit on top, eventually or sometimes even when new, they get dirty and become a ramp sending the water past the outer edge of the gutter.
Above is a picture of one of the older style of hangers that you still see suspending gutters today. This style wraps around the gutter and suspends the gutter from the roof.
Hanging Gutter Leaf Guard: Advantage GutterBrush
Unlike other gutter guards, GutterBrush is uniquely suited for hanging gutters because it does not require any custom fitting, cutting, or fasteners. It is a simple brush gutter guard insert that slides into the gutter, making installation quick and hassle-free.
Here’s why GutterBrush is the best leaf guard solution for hanging gutters on homes, metal buildings, and commercial structures:
1. No Trimming Around Hanger Rods
GutterBrush fits under the crossbar hangers, meaning there’s no need to cut or trim around each rod. This makes installation much faster and easier than traditional gutter guards, especially for homeowners who prefer DIY solutions.
2. Raised Bristle Profile for Natural Debris Shedding
Unlike flat gutter guards, gutter foam and other gutter guard inserts, GutterBrush’s bristles create a rounded, raised profile that extends above the edges of the gutter. This unique design helps debris blow away in the wind, reducing buildup and keeping gutters clear longer.
3. Gutter Guard Works with All Types of Hanging Gutters
GutterBrush is compatible with a wide variety of hanging gutter types, including:
- Half-round hanging gutters
- K-style hanging gutters
- European hanging gutters
- Aluminum hanging gutters
- Seamless hanging gutters
- Custom hanging gutters
- Metal building gutters (strapped to the roof ribs)
Whether your home has decorative crown molding, copper gutters, or a metal roof system, GutterBrush is the easiest and most effective solution to prevent gutter and downspout clogging.
Suspended gutters or hung gutters or hanging gutters are also referred to by other names. GutterBrush is a Gutter Guard for all of the following gutters -
- "Hanging gutters" (a general term for any gutter system not attached to a fascia board)
- "Rod and nut hung gutters" (describing the specific attachment method)
- "Suspended rod gutters" (emphasizing the hanging mechanism)
- "Vampire hanger gutters" (a less common industry nickname)
- "Roof-suspended gutters" (highlighting the roof attachment)
- “Rod Hung Gutters” ( hanging from rod and nut through cross bar attachment )
- “Pole Hung Gutters”
- “ Hung Gutters”
- “ Roof Hung Gutters”
- “ Suspended Gutters”
-
"T- Bar Hanger Gutters "
Click here to learn about installing GutterBrush gutter guards on gutters with alternate hanging styles
4. Gutter Guard for New Gutter Hanging Installation
GutterBrush makes installing a new gutter with gutter guard a snap, because you can install or hang the new gutter with the brush gutter guard, GutterBrush", already inside the gutter. This saves a lot of time because with other gutter guards you must install the gutter and then go back and install the gutter guard afterwards. Click to see a video of how fast and easy it is to install GutterBrush brush gutter guard in a new gutter. With Gutterbrush you save a step and save valuable time because you can install the gutter hangers with Gutterbrush inside while other gutter guards impede the installation of the hanger cross bars so they must install the gutter guard after the gutter is completely installed and fastened.
Hanging Gutters: The additional Benefits of Brush Gutter Guards
1. No Need for Professional Installation
Many gutter guard systems require professional installation, but GutterBrush is a true DIY product. Simply insert the brush sections into the gutter—no tools, cutting, or fastening needed. For an installation manual, click here.
2. Prevents Ice Dams and Winter Water Damage
Because hanging gutters are fully external (not touching the building), they cannot leak into the home or create ice buildup behind the gutter, which is a common issue with fascia-mounted gutters. GutterBrush enhances this benefit by keeping gutters flowing freely, decreasing winter congestion, decreasing snow pack clogging, and improving gutter ice melting in the winter. Click here to learn the winter benefits of installing GutterBrush in your gutters.
3. Durable and Long-Lasting ( Click for the GutterBrush warranty )
Made from high-quality UV-protected bristles, GutterBrush is built to last for years. It comes with a 10-year material warranty, but its actual life expectancy far exceeds that.
4. Cost-Effective DIY Gutter Guard Compared to Other Gutter Guards
GutterBrush is affordable and effective, making it a great investment for homeowners who want reliable gutter protection without the high cost of custom-fitted gutter guards. People can install Gutterbrush themselves greatly reducing the gutter guard cost because you do not have to pay for a contractor and gutter guard installation labor.
Click the below picture to see all sizes of GutterBrush brush gutter guard clog protection.
How to Buy GutterBrush Gutter Guard for Hanging Gutters
To get the best hanging gutter leaf guard for your home, simply measure your gutter and order the appropriate size of GutterBrush that is sixzed to fill the width of the gutter as best as possible. To learn more about brush gutter guard sizes, click here for “how to Measure for Gutterbrush” It comes in 6 different sizes to fit different types of gutters, ensuring a snug and effective fit.
Call GutterBrush for Expert Advice
Need help choosing the right size or have questions about installation? Give the folks at GutterBrush a call—they’re always standing by to help and might even give you a discount!
📞 Call: 888-397-9433
📧 Email: info@gutterbrush.com
🌐 Visit: www.gutterbrush.com
Hanging Gutter Clog Protection: Why GutterBrush is the Best Gutter Guard for Hanging Gutters
If you have hanging gutters suspended from rods and nuts, you need a gutter guard that is easy to install, effective at preventing clogs, and won’t interfere with the gutter system.
GutterBrush is the best hanging gutter leaf guard because:
✅ No cutting or trimming around hanger rods
✅ Easy, tool-free installation
✅ Raised bristle design helps shed debris naturally
✅ Compatible with all types of hanging gutters
✅ Affordable and long-lasting
Don’t let your hanging gutters clog and overflow. Order GutterBrush today and enjoy a maintenance-free, clog-free gutter system year-round!
