Gutters

Written By:  Michael Marchese

Any kind of the roof will not be functional until correct gutter system is installed. Water, what goes from the roof in any directions damage walls and basement, landscape and produce many other problems. The quality of the gutter system effects length of the service life of the house, number of the reconstruction projects and microclimate.

Materials

Stainless-steel is a strong material, roast-free. Gutters can be made by many materials as vinyl, steel, copper, aluminum, wood.  

Steel, aluminum and copper are the most popular and practical materials. Modern steel gutters usually have smooth bends, that allow the water with potential debris go smoothly with no leaf accumulation. Steel gutters are usually heavy. This is one of the negative features. Other is the high price.

Galvanized steel gutters are used for the decades. It`s an economical material. They are made by steel hot dipped with zinc, which give to the metal additional strength and resistant qualities. This material may rust. Installation of the galvanized steel gutters need some experience. Painting of the galvanized gutters is a challenge.

Aluminum gutters are very common. They are not expensive and don`t roast. Aluminum may corrode in the contact with the other metals as steel, copper, tin.  Also concrete, stucco, brick mortar, treated lumber. Aluminum gutters are relatively low maintenance. For the projects when gutter material shouldn`t have any strong pressure, other vice the steal is better.

Copper is attractive, doesn`t roast and doesn`t need the painting. Copper gutters are expensive, according to the modern situation on the copper market, prices change every day.

Plastic gutters are cheap, light and may be easily installed in the DIY project. Wood is mostly used in the restoration on the old buildings. It`s need high maintains and expenses.

Shape and size

Gutters may have different shape and size. Shapes are mostly 2 – “U” (half round) shaped and K-shaped, rectangular-shaped. K-shaped gutters were created for the roofs with flat vertical ends, which were especially popular in 1910-1930. Gutters with this shape mimic crown moldings.

Half-round or u-shaped gutters bring to home attractive and elegant look. The gutters may be a nice designer element for the retro –style homes, especially when they are accented by contrasting color or metal (copper) finish and bead rolled outward.

The sizes for the metal gutters are in average 4 – 6” in diameters. Size choice should be done depending from the amount of the rain in the location of the house.

Sectioned or seamless

Gutters are usually sold in sections. The length of the sections may vary between the companies.

Sectional gutters may be used in DIY projects. Sections may be over 2o ft or cut to any size. Gutters are connected to each other and to downspouts by snap-in-place connectors. End caps, corner pieces and drop outlets are designed to join the gutters in the system.

But the most popular are seamless gutters. They are also known as continuous gutters. They are fabrics by special machine with no seams, which usually effect leak or erosion. The seamless gutters are joined only on the corners and downspouts.

Modifications

There are several modifications of the gutters, as high back, bead gutters. High back gutters are one piece gutter that unite the gutter and so-called the gutter apron. They are designed for the protection from the ice and water getting between the gutter and gutter flashing. Bead gutters have elegant shape and may give an additional decorative accent to the home. 

Elements and accessories

Gutters system includes many elements, as corners, caps, drop outlets, connectors, downspouts, fittings. They all should match and be made by same material. In addition there are many of accessories and products, that  may be used  - snow guards, elbows, flashing, gutter screens, gutter covers, gutter helmets, gutter wedges, gutter funnels.  Gutter helmets, for example, protect gutters from leaves and pine needles.

Colors and finishes

Wide options of colors are available for the steel gutters. White, black, brown are common colors. Even faux copper colors are available - copper clad, copper penny. Copper gutters may be lead coated. This may give alternative lighter color for the copper gutters, to make it compatible with light-colored materials as limestone, light colors of painted wood.