Why Foxtail Flip Is the Best Downspout Hinge for Wind and Color Matching
When people search for the best downspout hinge, they’re usually dealing with a familiar set of frustrations: extensions that blow loose, hinges that don’t fit the system on the house, mismatched colors, or parts that wear out long before they should. Foxtail Flip hinges were designed specifically to solve those problems — not on paper, but in the field.
Built by installers who work on real homes every day, Foxtail Flip combines universal fit, wind-resistant retention, smooth operation, and the best color matching into a single hinge system.
Universal Fit
One of the challenges with some brands of downspout hinges is compatibility — some only work with specific sizes or shapes. Foxtail Flip hinges were designed to work with a wide range of residential downspouts. Whether you’re working with 2×3, 3×4, or 4×5 profiles, and regardless of whether the downspout is rectangular or square, the same hinge provides a secure and reliable fit. They operate seamlessly with both A and B elbows, making them one of the most versatile downspout hinge options on the market.
Color Matching That Actually Lasts
One of the biggest visual issues with most downspout hinges is color. The majority of hinges available today are only offered in white. Installers are often forced to spray-paint them using supplier paint — a secondary coating that fades quickly and no longer matches factory-finished downspouts. The few other hinges that are available in pre-painted colors are typically just the basics, such as black, brown, and beige. Frequently, the browns and the beiges are not a great color match to the downspout color.
Foxtail Flip hinges are available in 30+ colors, with most coming from EDCO Products’ Entex® enamel line, a factory-applied finish designed for long-term exterior durability. EDCO’s rainware finishes are engineered to resist fading, chalking, and weather exposure — the same finishes used on professionally manufactured gutter systems.
To further expand color coverage, Foxtail Flip also includes select Norandex color options, filling in gaps for popular regional colors. The color chart continues to grow as new options are added, making it easier to find a clean, professional match without resorting to spray paint.
Wind Clip Retention That Actually Work
Foxtail Flip hinges include a steel wind clip retention system — a major upgrade over common Velcro straps or tiny metal tabs used on many hinges.
Velcro works initially, but over time it collects debris, loses grip, and wears out. Once that happens, extensions no longer stay up in wind or storms.
Foxtail wind clips are made from steel to provide spring tension and memory, allowing them to securely retain the extension even in windy conditions. While steel limits the number of available colors, the tradeoff is well worth it for long-term performance.
The wind clip:
Is easy to install
Locks in securely
Can replace worn-out Velcro on other hinge systems
Fits existing Velcro mounting holes
Is also sold separately as a standalone replacement
This makes it useful not only on new installs, but also as an upgrade for failing hinge systems already in place.
Smooth, Consistent Movement That Doesn’t Quickly Wear Out
Many competing two-piece hinge systems rely on stamped metal pressed together with no washer or spacer. This creates friction, stiffness, and uneven wear over time — making the hinge harder to move and more prone to failure.
Foxtail Flip uses an actual washer/spacer and riveted construction at the pivot point. This design creates:
Smoother movement
Consistent operation
Reduced wear over time
Instead of metal grinding on metal, the hinge pivots cleanly and predictably every time.
Built-In Strength Where Hinges Usually Fail
A common failure point for downspout hinges isn’t the hinge itself — it’s the screws. As screws loosen, the hinge begins to wiggle, stretching the holes and accelerating failure.
Foxtail Flip addresses this with folded-over tabs that allow zip screws to pass through the hinge twice. This adds strength, reduces movement, and helps prevent screws from loosening or ripping out over time.
The folded tabs also help with alignment during installation, making it easier to position the extension correctly the first time.
Proudly Made in the USA
Foxtail Flip hinges and wind clips are made by the same team that installs gutters and gutter covers every day. When not in the field, the team is fabricating products in-house.
Materials are sourced locally — primarily from EDCO — where they are painted and slit in the United States. From there, Foxtail Flip hinges are stamped, cut, assembled, and finished in the USA.
It’s a local process that supports American manufacturing and puts money back into the domestic economy.
Simple Installation With Basic Tools
Installing a Foxtail Flip hinge doesn’t require specialty equipment. Most installs can be completed with:
A drill
A miter saw or snips
A pencil for marking wind clip placement
A tape measure to set extension length
The system is straightforward, installer-friendly, and designed to save time without sacrificing performance.
Wind Clip Colors
Wind clips are made from painted steel to provide the necessary memory retention for repeated use. Full color matching is not available across all options; black wind clips are typically included with less popular hinge colors. Refer to the color chart to see the specific wind clip that pairs with each hinge color selection.
Color Matching to Other Suppliers
Hinges are primarily offered in EDCO enamel colors. For reference, we've included close visual matches to Senox, Norandex, Spectra, and Lakeside Gutter brands in smaller text below the primary color names. These are not guaranteed perfect matches—always cross-check with the manufacturer's color swatch. An asterisk (*) denotes a match that is somewhat off.
Final Thoughts
Foxtail Flip hinges weren’t designed to be the cheapest option — they were designed to be the best performing option. With a universal fit, durable factory finishes, wind-resistant retention, smooth operation, and American-made construction, they solve the real problems installers and homeowners face every day. If you’re looking for a downspout hinge that installs cleanly, holds up in wind, and looks right long after installation, Foxtail Flip stands apart.
For custom quantity orders, please contact us using the “Request a Quote” button near the bottom of the page.
Included in each set:
1 pair of hinges (left & right)
1 wind clip retention clasp
12 colored zip screw
Larger quantities and “packs” are for sale at a lower price.
*Some colors are not available in the wind clip. Black or bronze wind clips will be sent with these colors. See the color chart for more information*
Select a color and a quantity to see a preview of the hinge color.