A gutter apron serves the same purpose as a drip edge. As such, gutter aprons are intended to direct water away from potential problem areas of the house, down to the roof edges, and into the gutters. (See our blog: “Gutter Replacement” for more information on gutters.) The difference between the two essentially comes down to the shape and material that is used. The most obvious attribute that distinguishes a gutter apron from a drip edge is the fact that a gutter apron is more of an L-shaped metal rather than a T.