They are not readily visible from the ground further lending to the mystery of their design and function.
Gutters built into roof.
These systems are integrated into the design of the roofing structure.
The gutter is built into the roof structure itself as a trough see illustration below.
Built in gutter gutters.
Eaves trough gutters may project forward from the lower roof edge shown in the sketch below or they may be virtually hidden from view from ground level when they are built into the slope of the roof.
Integral gutter eaves trough gutter built in gutter.
Instead of hacking off a structurally sound or easily made sound eaves trough or integral gutter that is built into the roof surface you can just roof over it.
They can be a very effective way of managing the flow of water especially on large roofs or complicated water drainage concerns.
Sometimes called yankee gutters box gutters or even philadelphia gutters it s no wonder they remain a mystery to many.
Built in gutter systems are actually built into the cornice structure and drain through internal or external leaders.
If the integral gutter is a nearly flat extension out over the roof edge also forming a soffit i d think about leaving the built in or integral gutter system in place removing any.
Perhaps the rarest form of gutters on homes and commercial building structures are built in gutter systems.
I always try to encourage preserving original elements even though it might be easier to eliminate the old method for something new and inexpensive.