If you are planning on building a house, then you should know that there are a lot of decisions to make. One of the main decisions is the types of gutters you want to install. If you need to replace your gutters, then you will also need to think about your options. Gutters serve a very important purpose, especially if you live in a not-so-sunny state. If you find your gutters are starting to flood, then you will need to clean them or replace them. This article will tell you everything you need to know about gutters, from shape to color.
Shape
There are five different types of shapes for gutters. Each shape has a specific design that is pleasing to the eye. The five main shapes for gutters are: K-Style Gutters, Victorian Ogee, Fascia Gutters, Half-Round Gutters, and European Gutters. This article will give you an overview of each gutter shape. That way you can find out which suits your home the most.
K-Style Gutters
K-Style gutters are one of the most common shapes of gutters that people prefer these days. If you are buying a home, then you will likely find a K-Style gutter on your roof. With K-Style Gutters, their selling point is their appearance and how decorative they look. These gutters have a curvy profile and many people find it aesthetically pleasing. K-Style gutters can hold more rainwater because of its shape. This is why it would be a good choice for you, especially if you live somewhere that rains a lot. Additionally, you will find that the end product of K-style gutters are very durable and with minimal leaks.
Victorian Ogee
Victorian Ogee is better known as Old Gothic gutter shapes. These gutter shapes are very decorative and provide a certain appearance to certain homes. Inspired from the 19th century, Victorian Ogee gutters are a combination of traditional and modern that would look great for period homes. If you have an eye for design, then you can style it perfectly for any home. Keep in mind that these are shallow gutters. This means that they cannot handle massive water flow and are more suitable for smaller homes. Additionally, these gutters are custom-made, which means you cannot simply buy them off the shelves.
Fascia Gutters
If you already have fascia boards, then you should think about installing fascia gutters. These gutter shapes will serve as both a gutter and a fascia board. With fascia gutters, you can hide the edges of the rafter tail, which is the exposed exterior part of your home’s wood structural truss. So, you will not be able to see the tail when you are looking at your home’s exterior. These gutters form a smooth line along your home. Additionally, they stop any water damage or animals from entering your home through the rafter tails. You will probably find these gutters, if you already have fascia boards attached though.
Half-Round Gutters
If you are looking for gutters that are subtle and functional, then you should think about half-round gutters. These gutters are more traditional, appearance-wise. Also, they work better on homes that have a certain architectural design. If you choose to install half-round gutters, then you will need to make a few decisions. Half-round gutters come in different styles that influence their appearance. Do not worry; these styles all serve the same function and do not affect the performance of the half-round gutters. Additionally, these gutters come in different materials, which makes it easy to customize your gutters and find one that complements your home nicely.
European Gutters
European gutters are a type of half-round gutters, but they are more visible to the naked eye. The bead is on the outside of the gutter. Additionally, these gutters are attached to the home in the form of half-round hangers. Typically, homeowners choose these style gutters because they are appealing to the eye and give a classy look to their homes. If you live in a place that has constant temperature changes or severe storms, then you should consider European gutters. These gutters are created from durable materials that can endure temperamental weather. Additionally, downpipes are fastened to these European gutters and allow them to be full-round. This means that these gutters are wider and allow more water flow. You will not need to worry about your gutter getting clogged any time soon.
Material
After you decide the shape of your gutters, you need to decide the materials you will use for your gutters. This is extremely important, because it will influence the durability of your gutters. There are six main types of materials that are used to make gutters: aluminum, copper, galvanized steel, galvalume, zinc, vinyl. You need to find out which of these materials will suit your home’s gutters, so make sure you think it through. Additionally, you can ask an expert to find out which material is better for your gutters.
Aluminum
The most common type of gutter is aluminum. It is widely available, since it is really light and easy to install. Additionally, you will not have to worry about corrosion, regarding your gutter’s appearance. You can match the color of your gutters to your home’s exterior and no one will ever know. Aluminum gutters are really easy to install, as well. Also, aluminum gutters are cheaper than other materials.
Copper
You will find that copper gutters are more costly than aluminum gutters. But, people do not install copper gutters to save money. Most homeowners choose copper gutters because they do not have to worry about mold or mildew with copper gutters. Additionally, you will not need to worry about its appearance. The perks of copper gutters are that they age well and it will add value to your home’s appearance. On the other hand, copper gutters do not last as long as aluminum gutters. Their short life span and their increased prices could make you think twice before buying it.
Galvanized Steel
Galvanized steel gutters are steel that is covered with a layer of zinc to preserve the steel. These gutters are very strong, but they are prone to rust. If your galvanized steel gutters are damaged, then you probably need to replace them. This is why you will need to quickly repair your gutters, if they face any damage or dents. (No one wants rusty gutters. Not you and not your neighbors). Make sure that an expert installs your galvanized steel gutters. If they are not installed correctly, then you might face a problem with drainage. This means that you would have standing water next to your home. Additionally, make sure that you clean your galvanized steel gutters regularly to prevent any clogs or rust.
Galvalume
Another option for steel gutters is galvalume. Galvalume gutters are a combination of both aluminum and zinc. This makes the gutters really strong and durable against damage and rust. If you are interested, then you will need to work with an expert. This type of gutter needs to be custom-made and not bought off a shelf. Furthermore, you need to consider where you live. Depending on your area, galvalume gutters can outlast galvanized steel gutters.
Zinc
Zinc gutters are a big investment, but they last twice as long as aluminum gutters. These gutters are a great option, if you plan on living in your home for a long time. Zinc gutters are made from zinc and small portions of titanium and copper. Typically, you do not need to paint zinc gutters. As time passes, the gutters independently develop a protective coat that preserves them from any external damage.
Vinyl
Vinyl gutters are similar to aluminum gutters in price. These gutters are made of a strong plastic that protects them from dents or damage. You will not need to worry about corrosion with these gutters, as well. If you live in an area that suffers heavy storms regularly, then vinyl gutters are a great option. You will not need to constantly clean out your gutters every time it rains. Vinyl gutters are light and easy to install. This is why you should think about vinyl gutters when you are in a rush for gutters. Additionally, you will find that vinyl gutters are the same color all the way through the plastic.
Construction
There are two types of gutter construction, which are sectional and seamless. With sectional gutters, they are pieced together from different lengths of gutters and trimmed down to fit your home. You will find that the connectors attach to the lengths, which makes it easy to fit in any home. It does not matter how many corners your home has or how long your home’s sides are; these sectional gutters can fit any home. You do not need to customize sectional gutters. Simply, you can cut the gutter and install it on your home.
On the other hand, seamless gutters are made from one piece of material. This means that they are not pieced together, but one large piece. You will find that seamless gutters only have joints at downspouts and corners. This means that they are very durable and will not lead to an accidental leak.
Sizes
As for sizes, there are two standard sizes for gutters: 5-inch gutters and 6-inch gutters. For K-Style gutters, 5-inch gutters are the ideal size. Typically, 5-inch gutters will be able to handle the water flow that washes off the roof. But, if you live in a rainy area, then you will need to install wider downspouts with your new gutters. That way, you can improve your gutter system to get rid of the rain quickly. As for the 6-inch gutters, you will find it more commonly used with half-round gutters. If you need more than a 6-inch gutter, then you will need to talk to your roofer about a custom-made gutter with a bigger size.
Colors
Typically, there are two ways you can go, regarding the color of your gutters. You can go bold and pick a color that contrasts your home’s exterior. Or, you can pick neutral and have your gutters fade into the background of your home. Neutral colors will not clash with your home’s exterior and it will not stand out too much. You can even match your gutters with the color of your garage.
On the other hand, you can choose a bold or bright color for your gutters. Make sure that you consider where you live. There are some homeowner associations that prevent homeowners from painting their gutters a bright color. If you and your homeowners association are okay with it, then you can choose a color that will pop. The choice is yours, of course. But, you need to make sure that you choose a color for your gutters that is pleasing to you.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it might not seem like a big deal. But, gutters are a very important component to your home. It is not a decision that you can casually dismiss. Your gutters will protect your home from any weather damage and prevent any water from entering your home. You need to make sure that you choose the right one. If you do not know where to start, then you can talk to a roofer or an expert who can tell you everything you need to know. Additionally, you need to think about where you live and the general weather conditions of your area. Just remember, whatever you decide should be good for you and your home.
