A Guide to Different Types of Gutter Styles and Materials
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Written by: FTC Oury Group
Water is the enemy of structures like homes and buildings. Exposure to water can cause corrosion and rot, leading to expensive repairs. This is why buildings are designed with water-management systems in place. Gutters are an important part of these water management systems. Gutters guide water away from homes and can deposit the water far from the home's foundation. Installing high-quality gutters and maintaining your gutters over the years can help protect your home from harmful moisture exposure.
In this guide, we'll talk about the different gutter styles and materials, to help you choose the right gutters for your home. Most important of all is to choose a reputable contractor to install your home's gutters. Well-installed gutters can last for many years while adding value to your home.
What are Gutter Systems, And Why Are They Important?
Gutters are channels that attach to your home's eaves, just beneath the pitch of your roof. When it rains, water runs off the roof and into the gutters. Gutters are angled just enough to encourage water to run into the downspout, located at one end of the gutters. The downspout carries water away from the house so the soil around the home's foundation does not get too saturated.
Common Gutter Materials
There are many different types of gutters, made from many materials. Below are some of the most commonly used gutter materials.
Aluminum
Aluminum is the most popular material of choice for gutters. Aluminum is a lightweight metal that's easy to install, but strong enough to avoid some dents and damage. Aluminum is also resistant to corrosion, and relatively affordable compared to other types of gutter materials. Many homes have gutters that are made of aluminum.
Steel
Steel gutters are stronger than aluminum and more resistant to damage from falling tree branches, ladders, and debris. This material is also heavier than aluminum and can be more costly to install. Steel rusts, so over time steel gutters need to be repainted. Some homeowners choose stainless steel gutters because they won't rust, but this material is more expensive than standard galvanized steel.
Copper
Copper is a high-end material that is typically found in historic homes. Copper never rusts and never needs to be repainted. Copper gutters are expensive, so most homeowners do not consider copper gutters to be a realistic option for their house.
Copper gutters also oxidize over time. These gutters will develop a green patina unless treated to resist this oxidization. If you'd like to install copper gutters in your home, you can help them maintain their rosy, shiny appearance by sealing them periodically.
Wood
Like copper, wooden gutters are rare. Gutters made from wood are most often found in historic homes. Original wood gutters were made from old-growth cedar.
Today's gutters are made from new-growth cedar or hemlock, and may not work as well as wooden gutters made from old-growth cedar. If it's important to you to have wooden gutters in your home, do some research to ensure that the wooden gutter product you're installing is adequate to protect your home.
Vinyl
Vinyl is another commonly used gutter material. Vinyl can be installed by DIYers as well as professionals, but vinyl is not as durable as aluminum and other metal gutters. Vinyl can bend or bow under heavy rain, and can easily be damaged by ladders and falling tree branches. Vinyl doesn't rust or corrode but will crack under harsh climate conditions.
Different Gutter Styles
Gutters come in different styles as well as materials. Know the different types of gutters before making a selection. The gutter types you choose for your home will impact how the gutter functions. Below are typical gutter options.
K-Style
K-style gutters are the most popular choice. They have a decorative front that adds style and beauty to your home's exterior. K-style gutters offer maximum depth and an extended lip that holds more water. K-style gutters also have flat backs that make them easy to install.
Half-Round
Half-round gutters have a classic beauty that is sometimes preferred by homeowners with historic properties. Half-round gutters can be found in vinyl and metal options. Half-round gutters don't hold as much water and also sacrifice some flow compared to K-style gutters. Most homeowners who choose half-round gutters do so for the style and look.
Box
Box gutters have a rectangular trough to handle large volumes of water. Box gutters are most often found on commercial structures, but can be found on some modern or historic homes as well. Box gutters are larger than standard residential gutters, so they're not an ideal choice for a smaller house. Box gutters are usually custom-made and complicated to install, which drives up the cost.
Sectional
Most homeowners choose to install sectional gutters. These gutters are assembled together on-site, with seams where two gutters meet. These seams represent areas where water can eventually leak. Seams between gutters have to be maintained and may occasionally need repair.
Seamless
Seamless gutters have fewer seams for a longer-lasting, more durable gutter system. Seamless gutters are more challenging and costly to install.
How Much is Gutter Installation?
How much your gutters cost to install depends on the type of material that you're installing, the size of your house, gutter style, and other factors. Vinyl gutters can cost as little as $1,500, while copper gutters can cost as much as $6,000 or more. To find out how much your gutter installation will cost, get quotes from a reputable contractor.
How to Choose the Right Gutters for Your Home
Not sure which type of gutters are right for your home? Here are some tips:
- Know your budget
- Get quotes from reputable contractors
- Consider the appearance and style of your home
If you're considering more than one type of gutter for your house, talk to your contractor to get quotes on each type of gutter system you're considering.
Are Gutter Guards Necessary?
Gutter guards help protect your gutters from leaves and debris. Gutter guards can prevent your gutters from filling with leaves and debris that can lead to clogs. On a property with many large trees, gutter guards can prevent the inconvenience and expense of cleaning your home's gutters multiple times per year.
Call Us for a Quote!
Want to know more about installing gutters on your home in the Chicago area? Contact the professionals at FTC Oury Group. Call today!
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