A good gutter system is key to preserving the longevity of your home. When rain falls, gutters transport the water to an appropriate area, instead of having it just pour off your roof. A lack of rain gutters would cause rainwater to pool, and would likely cause problems with your foundation over time.
But with the right rain gutter installation, you’ll have control over where the rainwater goes, and you’ll save your home’s foundation. The only problem is that there are several different types of rain gutters available in various configurations and materials. Below we’ll take a look at some information you can use prior to rain gutter installation to assist with your choice.
Styles
There are three main styles of rain gutters: half-round, K-style and fascia gutters. These gutters are generally available in a wide variety of materials, and they each have their perks and drawbacks:
- Half-round gutters: This type of rain gutter is usually found on older homes built before 1960. As the name suggests, they consist of ½ of a cylinder. Just picture a tube with the top half chopped off lengthwise. These aren’t as popular anymore because they clog easily and are prone to overflowing.
- K-style gutters: These are the prominent style of rain gutters that most people use. When viewed from the side, the gutter’s profile vaguely resembles the letter “K.” The shape is closer to a rectangle with one wavy side on the outside. This type of rain gutter can typically handle almost all your rainfall distribution regardless of where you live.
- Fascia gutters: These are the most aesthetically appealing and expensive type of rain gutters, and you can have them made custom for your home. The reason fascia rain gutter installation costs more is because you’ll be integrating the wall of the gutter into your home’s fascia. The fascia is the siding wall that sits between the gutter and the exterior wall of your house. You’ll likely also need to have a soffit installed, which is a special panel you’ll have to build that helps with support of the gutters and facilitates interior to exterior ventilation.
Materials
Rain gutters are made from a variety of different materials. We’ll briefly touch on some of the most popular ones and offer some information about each:
- Aluminum: Aluminum is the most common material used for rain gutters. It’s lightweight, durable and inexpensive to install.
- Copper: Copper offers an elegant look, but it costs considerably more than aluminum. Its composition means it won’t rust and doesn’t need painting. Installation won’t be cheap.
- Steel: This metal is heavy, strong and sturdy. It may rust after five to 10 years, though, which hurts its longevity, and it’s more expensive than aluminum.
- Zinc: Like copper, zinc is pricy, won’t rust and would look good on luxurious or historical estates. Also like copper, it requires professional installation and welding at the gutters’ joints.
- Vinyl: This material is lightweight and cost effective. It’s so easy to install that you could do it yourself if you wanted. With vinyl gutters, the color may fade, they may fracture in cold temperatures and you shouldn’t rest a ladder against them.
Call for your rain gutters today
When it comes to rain gutter installation, it’s helpful to know about the different styles and materials available. At Manada Roofing, we offer rain gutter sales, installation, cleaning and maintenance—call us for all your gutter service needs!