The copper gutter and downspout entry covers the primary system. The conductor head — the decorative box that transitions from the gutter outlet to the round downspout — and the downspout boot — the curved elbow at grade that directs water away from the foundation — are the details that complete the system and that distinguish a building that was thought through from one that was simply drained.
The conductor head is a small box — typically 4" x 6" to 6" x 8" in plan, 8" to 12" tall — that receives the outlet from the gutter above and directs water into the downspout below. The decorative conductor heads on 19th-century Federal and Italianate buildings often carry the date of the building or a simple ornamental motif. The downspout boot is the curved elbow at grade that turns the round downspout from vertical to angled away from the foundation wall.
Conductor heads and boots are fabricated in 16-ounce copper by sheet metal shops specializing in architectural copper work. They are not stock items — they are custom-fabricated to the specific gutter and downspout dimensions of the building. The conductor head can be plain or decorated. The boot is a formed copper elbow, typically 45 or 90 degrees, with a cleanout provision in careful work.
Identical in weathering and service life to the rest of the copper system. The conductor head is a sediment trap — debris from the gutter collects in it, and it should be cleaned annually. Failures at conductor heads are typically at the soldered joints where the head connects to the downspout — inspect annually and resolder any joint showing separation.
A copper gutter system without proper conductor heads and boots looks unresolved at its transitions. The conductor head is where the horizontal system meets the vertical system, and that transition deserves a detail. On a traditional New England building, the conductor head with a simple date or ornamental panel is the detail that demonstrates the building was built with knowledge of its own parts.
Through architectural sheet metal contractors or copper fabricators. Conductor heads are custom work. Provide the gutter outlet dimension, the downspout diameter, and the desired face dimension. Specify whether plain or decorated. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for fabrication.
Sixteen-ounce copper conductor heads, plain or with ornamental front panel, at all downspout connections on traditional New England residential copper gutter systems. Sixteen-ounce copper boots at all downspout terminations at grade, directed minimum 6 inches from foundation wall. Custom fabrication to building dimensions. This is the detail that finishes the system correctly.
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