Get Your Mind IN the Gutters!
When considering the beauty and curb appeal of your home, you may not instantly think of your Rain Gutters…BUT think again…
Rain Gutters have many purposes that contribute to the well-being of your home. Gutters left uncared for, or simply ignored could lead to serious structural issues for your home.
What Is The Purpose Of Rain Gutters?
Rain gutters protect your roof, your home's overall structure, and your garden beds from soil erosion.
Rain gutters can prevent erosion, flooding under houses and in basements, water damage to siding, and water staining on brick and stone masonry.
It takes an inch of rain to create a 1,900-gallon torrent sluicing off an average roof. If your gutters aren't up to the task of controlling it, you could end up with a lot of damage.
Rain gutters are a small component of your home, but they perform several critical functions. If they are not regularly maintained, you may discover the effects of water damage both indoors and out.
Do I Need Rain Gutters On My Home?
There are very few reasons you might not need rain gutters on your home, including living somewhere with extremely little rainfall or having a large roof overhang.
Most homes, even when living in an arid region, benefit from functioning rain gutters.
Rain gutters also add an element of curb appeal to any home.
Types of Rain Gutters
It is essential to learn more about the different styles, shapes, and materials before choosing a rain gutter system for the home.
Seamed Rain Gutters
A sectional gutter or seam gutter comes in 10-foot lengths and attaches directly to the fascia board of a home. Gutter styles such as this can be constructed from vinyl, aluminum, galvanized steel, copper, or zinc, though galvanized steel, copper, and zinc gutters require professional installation. Additionally, seamless gutters are available in half-round, K-style, box-style, and custom fascia shapes. The cost of seamless rain gutters is typically higher than the cost of seamed rain gutters, depending on the material. Seamed rain gutters can be installed by homeowners themselves and are typically more affordable than seamless rain gutters. If one section of seamed rain gutters is damaged in a storm or otherwise fails, you only have to replace the damaged 10-foot section rather than having to repair or replace an entire seamless gutter system.
Seamless Rain Gutters
Unlike separate sections that need to be joined together during installation, seamless rain gutters are made from one piece. Additionally, seamless gutters come in almost any length. Since professional gutter installers create custom gutter rollouts specifically measured and manufactured for your home, seamless gutters of virtually any length can be created by them. A seamless rain gutter system comes at a higher price, but it is superior to a seamed rain gutter system. A seamless gutter is more resistant to leaks.
Seamless rain gutter systems have the drawback of only being available in rolled aluminum, while seamed gutters are available in vinyl, aluminum, galvanized steel, copper, and zinc.
Half-Round Rain Gutters
Traditionally, rain gutters will have a U-shaped profile with a half-round appearance. They are not as tall as K-style gutters, but they are wider, often protruding about five to six inches from the fascia. A half-round rain gutter shape is also often used for copper and zinc gutters. Consider half-round gutters for your house if these premium materials are an attractive alternative.
K Style Rain Gutters
Most rain gutter systems have been replaced with K-style rain gutters since they are deeper and more structurally sound. The deep troughs allow the gutter system to carry more water, reducing the chance that the water will spill over or cause the gutter system to collapse. In addition to collecting more debris than half-round gutters, K-style gutters are also more likely to clog due to leaves, sticks, and dirt. Mold and mildew can also grow on the top lip. In order to prevent the formation of clogs and blockages in K-style gutters, you should invest in a rain gutter guard and clean the gutters regularly.
Custom Fascia Rain Gutters
The purpose of custom fascia rain gutter systems is to provide the home with a contemporary appearance that cannot be achieved with half-round, K-style, or box-style rain gutters. They have a seamless design but need to be installed by professionals. You will receive a custom-built aluminum gutter system made from a single piece of aluminum. Fascia-style gutters are typically the same height as K-style gutters, but they are narrower, which makes them harder to clean. Seamless fascia gutters are usually more expensive than half-round or K-style gutters.
Box Style Rain Gutters
Box-style rain gutters are made for commercial, industrial, and multi-unit residential properties, but if extra water capacity and durability are needed for a single residential home, a professional gutter installation company can install them.
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Vinyl Rain Gutters
Vinyl is one of the most common materials used to make gutters because it's inexpensive, easy for DIYers to install, and water-resistant. Vinyl rain gutters typically last about 10 to 20 years, depending on the level of care and maintenance. Vinyl gutters are highly durable. When vinyl gutters are dented, they usually pop back on their own, unlike aluminum or steel gutters.
Aluminum Rain Gutters
Aluminum and vinyl rain gutters are the most popular gutter materials due to their price, ease of use, and availability. Aluminum gutters are rust-resistant and can be painted in a range of colors to match the aesthetic of the home. Aluminum gutters last about 20 to 30 years. Dents are not very forgiving with aluminum gutters. Dents can be popped back by hand, but the gutter never quite looks like the original.
Galvanized Steel Gutters
The lifespan of galvanized steel gutters is about the same as aluminum gutters, although galvanized steel is more resistant to rust, heavy rain, and wet weather than aluminum gutters. Galvanized steel gutters are typically installed by a professional because they require soldering during installation. Steel gutters hold up against dents better than aluminum gutters, but still not as good as vinyl gutters.
Zinc or Copper Gutters
When it comes to gutters, metal is a great choice. However, when the metal is steel or aluminum, it needs to be powder-coated for appearance and durability. But when the metal can stand on its own, look great, and has natural properties that resist the elements, that metal is either zinc or copper. Zinc is a premium gutter material. In addition to being low-maintenance, pre-weathered zinc gutters are rust-resistant and have a self-sealing finish that prevents scratches. Expect professionally installed zinc gutters to last up to 80 years, but keep in mind that zinc isn't the best choice for locations with salty air or cedar-shingled roofs.
The top choice for a premium gutter system is copper. This durable material is commonly used to make both hot and cold water pipes for a home's infrastructure, so you know that copper is highly resistant to water, cold, and heat. This type of gutter system doesn't warp, bend, or rust in extreme weather conditions, and can last for up to 100 years if it is properly installed and maintained.
Cleaning Rain Gutters
Leaving your gutters uncleaned can cause rainwater to seep inside your home or cause damage to your property, reducing your curb appeal. Standing water in your gutters can also offer a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies.
When you clean your gutters and downspouts, debris, dirt, and leaves are removed, preventing rainwater from flowing freely from the roof to the ground. The debris can be scooped manually or mechanically by professionals. After they clear out the gutter system, they’ll flush it with water to get any remaining particles, so rainwater can flow through the gutter system with ease.
Rain Gutter Guards
A professional might recommend installing rain gutter guards - wire mesh screens that attach to your gutters, to trap the debris before it reaches your gutters. Another type of gutter guard is a gutter helmet that clips onto gutters and rolls the debris and water off your roof. You can schedule routine gutter cleaning but rain gutter guards are constantly being improved and the right ones can save you time and money.
Finishing Touch Exteriors Specialize in Roof Gutters!
Product Brands:
Edco
Mastic
Leaf Protection-Bulldog
Roof Gutter Styles Available:
5"K
6"K
Half Round
Downspout Styles Available:
2x3
3x4
4" Round
Rainchains
Hanger Systems Available:
Hidden Hangers
Wrap Around Straps
Decorative Half-Round Exterior Brackets
Large Variety of baked enamel colors to choose from in aluminum and steel. Copper is also available.
Call today for an estimate!
