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By Gutter Supply Chicago · 1816 S Trumbull Ave, Chicago, IL
Hidden vs strap gutter hangers is a common question on jobs where the fascia is weak or missing. Both hold the gutter, but they attach in different places. This guide explains when to use each one.
Use hidden hangers for most jobs: they screw through the gutter into the fascia board and stay out of sight. Use strap hangers when the fascia is rotten, missing or too thin to hold a screw, because straps attach to the roof deck under the shingles instead.
| Hidden hangers | Strap hangers | |
|---|---|---|
| Attaches to | Fascia board | Roof deck, under the shingles |
| Visible from the ground | No | No, if installed under shingles |
| Best for | Most homes with solid fascia | Weak, missing or thin fascia |
| Installation | Quick, from the gutter | Installed before or under the roofing |
| Common use | New gutter installs | Roof replacements and repairs |
A hidden hanger clips inside the front lip of the gutter and uses a long screw that runs through the back of the gutter into the fascia board. Because everything sits inside the gutter, the run looks clean from the street. Hidden hangers are the standard choice for seamless K-style gutters.
A strap hanger wraps under the gutter and runs up the roof, where it is nailed or screwed to the roof deck. It does not depend on the fascia, which makes it useful on older homes where the fascia has rotted or was never installed. Straps are easiest to install during a roof replacement, before the shingles go on.
Whichever type you use, spacing matters. In the Chicago area many contractors place hangers about every 24 inches to handle snow and ice. See gutters and ice dams for more on winter loads.
Count hangers when you measure the job; our gutter materials checklist shows how. Gutter Supply Chicago supplies both hidden and strap hangers. Call (312) 823-7355 to confirm sizes and box quantities.
For roofing and drainage best practices, see the National Roofing Contractors Association.
Both are strong when installed correctly. Strap hangers do not rely on the fascia, so they are the better choice when the fascia is weak.
It is possible to slide straps under the shingles, but it is easiest during a roof replacement.
Divide the gutter length in inches by the spacing. At 24-inch spacing, a 40-foot run needs about 20 hangers.
Gutter Supply Chicago supplies hidden and strap hangers with same-day quotes and job-site delivery. Call (312) 823-7355.
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