a homeowner's guide to choosing the right gutter system

A HOMEOWNER’S GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE RIGHT GUTTER SYSTEM


Your gutter system plays a big part in protecting your home from moisture damage, which is why it’s important that you choose the right one. But what should you get? Knowing what makes for a good gutter system is a great place to start because it will guide you in choosing, clueing you in on what to look for and spelling the difference between picking something that works efficiently

and something that barely does the job.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD GUTTER?



So what makes a good gutter? Consider:

MATERIALGutter systems can be made from a variety of materials such as metal, wood, and even vinyl. Each material has its own strengths and weakness, and choosing the right option boils down to which one would suit your budget, roof, local climate, and even the overall look of your home.

STYLEYour gutter system will be located around the edges of your roof, clearly visible to anyone passing by your home. Given that it will be having an audience, a good gutter system should fit the overall appearance of your property. You have to keep in mind, however, that different gutter styles have different installation methods, which will affect their costs. Some of the popular gutter styles you can check out include k-style and fascia gutters.



SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESSGutter systems can be considered either sectional or seamless. Sectional gutters are made of uniformly-sized sections and installed piece by piece, with seams connected and sealed at the joints, while seamless gutters use continuous, custom-length sections joined only at the corners. Both will perform well but sectional gutters are easier to repair or replace, while seamless gutters are less likely to suffer from water leaks because they don’t have as many seams.

SIZEA good gutter system will be wide enough to handle all of the water flowing from your roof without straining the roof’s edge or fascia. A contractor should be able to help you figure out the right gutter size for you, factoring in your home and the general climate in your area. Getting an oversized gutter is not ideal because it is more prone to accumulating dirt and debris but undersized gutters are also no better because they might not be able to accommodate what the rains will bring, making them likelier to overflow and leak.

While keeping these considerations in mind, let’s move on to Part 2 of this e-book to discuss gutter

options available to you.


Gutter systems come in all shapes and sizes so it’s not too surprising that many homeowners find themselves overwhelmed when it’s time to choose. Don’t fret! The key is in understanding

what your options are about.

POPULAR GUTTER OPTIONS



Here’s a list of some of the most popular gutter options around to get you started:

Seamless K-style Gutter. This style is very popular in the U.S. because the contours of its outer side imparts a certain aesthetic to the home. It is also available as a sectional system but the continuity offered by a seamless system makes the style stand out more. Because of its design, K-style gutters are also known as double-curved or ogee gutters.

Seamless Fascia Gutter. Another popular seamless gutter style, a fascia gutter features a simpler design than its K-style counterpart, with its outer side flat and sloping inward. It can handle more water than K-style gutters but some homeowners are not big fans of its simple design, which works great on more modern homes.

Half-round, Sectional Gutter. As its name suggests, a half-round gutter is characterized by a curved underside. Usually made of metal, it looks better as a sectional system than a seamless one, with the curved channel slowing down the accumulation of debris in the trough. It does fall behind K-style and fascia gutters in terms of water volume capacity but it looks best in homes that are more traditionally styled.

ACCORDING TO STYLE



Aluminum. Lightweight but durable, aluminum offers great corrosion resistance and versatility, making it the most popular material choice for gutters regardless of style. It is also more affordable than other metal options, making it more budget-friendly than steel or copper.

Galvalume. Get steel, coat it with aluminum and zinc, and you get galvalume. An incredibly durable gutter material, it is capable of lasting several times longer than galvanized steel, another popular metal used for making gutters.

Copper. As a premium metal material, copper will require significant investment. However, that will be an investment well-made because copper will not only last a long time but it will also impart a unique appearance as the metal weathers to a natural patina. Because of this weathering effect too, copper gutters are also best installed in classically styled homes.

ACCORDING TO MATERIAL

Got your eye on a certain gutter system? Let’s make sure that you make the most out of that

option by talking about installation considerations in Part 3 of this e-book.


It’s important to choose the right gutter system for your home but the effort you’ve poured into carefully selecting it will go to waste if it is not installed properly. Preparing for an installation is also a part of making the most out of a new

gutter system so don’t forget about it!

GUTTER INSTALLATIONCONSIDERATIONS


GUTTER INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS

To get you started, here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re planning an installation:

KNOW THE RIGHT TIME TO INSTALL GUTTERSWhile it’s important to have your gutter up and functional as soon as possible, you still have to consider when they’ll actually be going up. Installing them during winter is a bad idea because the cold can cause materials to contract, plus it’s dangerous to be up on a roof with all that snow and ice! Instead, take advantage of the time between spring and early fall, when there won’t be as much rain as well to get in the way.

HAVE YOUR GUTTER INSTALLED BY A PROFESSIONAL

It’s dangerous to be up on a roof. Period. This is why installing your gutters is best left to professionals. Not only will you ensure your safety but you’ll also guarantee that your gutters are installed properly, letting you avoid problems that will affect gutter performance. Just missing measurements a few centimeters can cause serious trouble and that’s something you can avoid with professional help.


GUTTER INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS

PREPARE FOR MAINTENANCEDifferent materials and styles can also have an effect on the kind of maintenance you will be dealing with down the line. For example, sectional gutters have seams that have to be checked, while plain steel troughs may have to be repainted and checked for rust spots. Even “low-maintenance” materials still have to be checked at the start of each season to catch small problems early and prevent them from worsening..

CONSIDER GUTTER GUARDSGutter guards do a great job of keeping debris from accumulating on a gutter, helping prevent clogs that will affect not just the gutter system but your home as well. There are different options available but they are generally designed to be discreet so you don’t have to worry about gutter guards affecting the overall appearance of a system.

Make the most out of getting a gutter system by choosing wisely and ensuring proper installation.

Don’t hesitate to call your local contractor for assistance! Working with a reputable contractor

is a great way to cover your bases and guarantee your satisfaction.


SOLOMON BROTHERS ROOFING6088-G Blue Ridge Way,

Highlands Ranch CO 80130

(720) 459-5555www.RoofCreations.com

http://www.RoofCreations.com

a homeowner's guide to choosing the right gutter system

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