WHAT TYPE OF GUTTER IS BEST FOR YOUR HOME

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Rain gutters are crucial for your home’s security and day-to-day function.  They direct water away from your siding, roof and foundation helping you avoid foundation settlement, mold and mildew, corrosion, basement flooding, and other water damage.  However, despite being such a simple component of your home, the world of gutters features its own language, various styles and materials, and other vital information the average consumer may not know.  There are many types of gutters available and choosing the right one for your home may be overwhelming.

Gutter Construction

Gutters are constructed in two main styles: seamless gutters and sectional gutters.  Sectional gutters are made from multiple pieces of gutter that are joined together, whereas seamless gutters are made from a single piece of gutter that fits perfectly onto your roof.

Seamless gutters are a more expensive option, costing an average of $6 to $14 per linear foot. The higher cost pays off, though, in terms of quality.

When installing seamless gutters, the gutter is cut on-site to fit perfectly into your roof. This eliminates the weak sections where multiple smaller pieces of gutter are joined together in sectional gutters.  Because of this, seamless gutters experience many fewer leaks and have less issues associated with water damage.

Gutter Sizes

Gutters are primarily available in five and six inch sizes, although there are specialty sizes available.  The size of the gutter will play a role in determining how much water it can hold and its overall importance, so it is important to choose the right gutter size for your home.

Your contractor will be able to guide you through the process of picking the right gutter size, as they are familiar with the proper gutter size for your region and climate.

Five Inch Gutter

Five inch gutters are one of the standard gutter sizes. Five inch gutters are most commonly used in K-style gutters.  For homes that receive low to moderate levels of rainfall, a five inch gutter system will be sufficient to capture the rainflow from the roof without overflow.

Six Inch Gutter

Six inch gutters are the other standard gutter size. Six inch gutters are most commonly found in U-shaped gutters, also known as half-round gutters.  Six inch gutters are well-suited for regions that experience moderate to high levels of rainfall.  With a wider size, the gutters can hold more rainfall and prevent damage and overflow.

Specialty Size Gutters

You may find yourself wanting a gutter size other than the standard five or six inch gutters.  Reasons may include if you own a commercial building that experiences more runoff than a standard home, or if you live in a region that experiences frequent flash storms and standard gutter sizes are not sufficient.  Four inch gutters are available, as well as seven inches or more.  These gutter sizes will be somewhat more difficult to purchase than standard size gutters, but it is still doable.

Non-standard size gutters will cost more than standard size gutters.  There are three most commonly found gutter shapes: K-shaped, U-shaped, and box gutters.  In addition, there are several other gutter shapes which homeowners or businesses may choose.  Each gutter shape has its own advantages and disadvantages.

K-shaped gutters

K-shaped gutters are the most common gutter type.  K-shaped gutters have several advantages that make them the preferred gutter type for buyers.  First, K-shaped gutters are able to hold more water than other gutter types like U-shaped gutters. This is especially beneficial if you live in a region that frequently experiences heavy rainfall.  Another advantage of K-shaped gutters is that they are widely available in a variety of materials, colors, and constructions.

You can be assured that if you choose to purchase K-shaped gutters, you will be able to find it in the right style for your home.  K-shaped gutters are also aesthetically appealing.  The look of K-shaped gutters mimics the appearance of a crown molding, which is an attractive home feature.

Half Round Gutters

Half-round gutters are another popular gutter choice, although less widespread than K-shaped gutters.   Half-round gutters have a more traditional appearance and are a preferred choice for older homes that want to maintain an old-style charm.  These gutters feature a semicircular design and a curved lip. Due to the rounded design, they feature round downspouts. Half-round gutters come in 5-inch and 6-inch widths. Many homes built before 1960 feature this style, so these gutters work well if your home is historic or brick. In fact, local ordinances may require you to have this type of gutter if your home is historic or in a historic neighborhood.

Half-round gutters are the preferred style for copper gutters because their appearance fits well with the aesthetic of copper gutters.  If you decide to purchase U-shaped gutters, you will need to choose between several styles, including double bead, single bead, and reverse bead.

Aluminum Gutters

Aluminum gutters are one of the most popular gutter types, and for good reason.  Aluminum gutters have many advantages that make it an appealing choice for homeowners.  First, aluminum gutters are relatively affordable.  Another benefit of aluminum is that it is rust resistant.  Unlike other metals which may rust when in contact with water, aluminum will not rust, making it well-suited for gutters.

In comparison to steel, aluminum is incredibly lightweight, and does not require any reinforcements to your roof.  The light weight of aluminum prevents issues with sagging down the line.  One factor to keep in mind if you purchase aluminum gutters is that it may corrode with contact from other metals, so be sure to isolate the aluminum gutters from potentially corrosive materials.

Aluminum is somewhat less durable than other metal options such as copper or steel, which means it will likely need repairs or replacement earlier than some other gutter material choices.  Aluminum gutters have a lifespan of about twenty years.

Choosing Rain Gutters

When you are looking for a new rain gutter system for the home, it’s important to learn more about the various styles, shapes, and materials before coming to a final decision.  Seamed gutters are a great option if you want to take on the installation yourself because they are more DIY-friendly than seamless gutters.  While deciding between seamed or seamless, keep in mind that some gutter products are designed for professional installation only, including copper gutters and zinc gutters.

Similarly, if you choose to have box-style gutters installed at your house, you will need to hire a professional that can retrofit these gutters to a residential home.  For quick, easy DIY installation, it’s recommended to install aluminum or vinyl half-round or K-style gutters.  This will also help to keep the price of installation down, but it’s important to note that aluminum, vinyl, and galvanized steel gutters wear out much faster than copper or zinc.

Ultimately, you will need to select a style between seamed or seamless.  Choose a shape from half-round, K-style, custom fascia, and box-style.  Then finally decide on a material, including vinyl, aluminum, galvanized steel, zinc, and copper. Factor in the cost, ease of installation, and average lifespan of each product before making a conclusive decision.