Guide to different types of gutters

Whether they are building a house or renovating it, people usually seem to forget about gutters. After all, they need to decide what kind of a roof to use, which flooring to go with and what to do with the front yard. Therefore, it should come as little surprise that gutters usually fall on the wayside. But, as it turns out, picking the right gutters can be quite important. If you choose the right ones and maintain them properly, they will help maintain your roof and serve you long and well. But, if you opt for improper ones, you may have to repair or reinstall them within a year or two. So, to help you out, we are going to go through different types of gutters and how to properly maintain them.

Different types of gutters

Once you take a closer look at gutters, you will see that there are dozens of different types to choose from. Each gutter type is a combination of style and material. Combine those two and you will get a pretty solid idea of what your gutter will be like. So, to give you an idea of how to consider gutters, we are going to mention some of the most common materials and styles used for them.

When considering different types of gutters, you will also need to take into account your budget and whether or not your home can support the weight of certain materials.

Materials

Saying that your gutters are made out of metal is like saying that your floor is made out of wood. Technically true, but not quite informative. In order to pick the right type of gutters for your home, you need to know all the different materials used for their construction and their various pros and cons. So, here are some of the most common ones:

Aluminum

Aluminum is the most common type of metal used for gutters. And for a good reason. It is cheap, easy to work with and quite resistant to corrosion. Plus, it comes in different colors. Therefore, you will have an easy time making it work with the design of your home.

Copper

Copper gutters are pretty similar to aluminum ones. Both in terms of cost and reliability, there is not much difference. The main one is that copper doesn’t rust, which is why you won’t need to paint or repaint it. This is why copper is a popular material for gutters in Texas.

Because it doesn’t rust, copper is often used for plumbing pipes as well.

Galvanized Steel

Galvanized steel gutters are made from coating steel with a layer of zinc. This allows the steel, which is usually quite prone to corrosion, to stay rust-free. But, it is paramount that you install galvanized steel gutters properly. A small oversight can easily lead to substantial damage. Especially if you live in one of the areas where there is a lot of rain.

Galvalume

Galvalume is steel coated with aluminum and zinc. It is both durable and long-lasting, and it can be just the type of gutters for your home if you are looking for steel gutters and you live in areas where there is a lot of rain.

Zinc

Zinc gutters tend to be a bit more on the costly side. But with them, you can rest assured that no issues will come about. They are much more durable than aluminum and are quite resistant to corrosion. So much so that during their long lifespan, you won’t even need to paint them.

Styles

When considering different types of gutters, you will also have to take into consideration their style. Now, if you are living a suburban life in a classical home, there are a lot of different styles for you to choose from. However, apart from looks, there is not much difference between them. True, some of them are a bit more resistant to clogging, while others have a better flow. But those differences are barely noticeable. The most common style of gutters in use are:

• K-style gutters.
• Fascia gutters
• Half-Round gutters
• European gutters.

What you are looking for here is the type of gutter that goes best with the style of your home.

Gutter Construction

We separate gutters into two groups based on construction methods: seamless and sectional. Sectional gutters are sold in sections and it is either up to you or your roofing company to connect those sections into a functioning gutter. The key here is to be careful and attentive when installing them as the seams between the sections can often be prone to leaks. On the other hand, seamless gutters don’t have this issue. While they are more difficult to install, they do not have any weak spots.

Gutter guards

Installing gutter guards is something that you should definitely consider, regardless of the type of gutters you opt for. These are metal nets (so to speak) that prevent debris from clogging up your gutters while letting the water go through. You will still need to clean your gutters, as gutters guards are not sieves. But, they will help you keep your gutters guard running for much longer. They are also particularly useful if you have trees near your gutters. To learn more about gutter guards, visit amroofingcompany.com.

Gutter maintenance

No matter what type of gutter you end up going with, you will still need to maintain it. Luckily, if you install your gutters properly, gutter maintenance won’t be much of a hassle. It mostly boils down to cleaning your gutters and ensuring that they are not clogged. You’d also be smart to check your gutters after heavy rain.

Both rain and snow can cause gutter issues.

Heavy winter is another cause for concern, especially if you have old gutters. If some water remains in your gutters over winter, it can easily freeze and even cause your gutters to deform. This can lead to flow issues, and can even lead to cracks and leaks in your gutter. So, to ensure your home, hire a professional to inspect it after winter. They will be able to see any issues that might require your attention.