Rain gutters do more for a home than just keep the people below from getting wet. Well-designed gutters help channel water away from a home and keep the foundation dry, ultimately reducing the risk of a flooded basement or damaged siding. Rain gutters may seem simple and straightforward, but they come in many different designs and materials. So when it comes time to replace your old gutters or install new ones, here’s what you need to know about gutters.
The short answer, likely yes. There are very few instances where a home does not need some type of gutter system, but where is what needs to be considered when deciding:
Half-round gutters are shaped like a tube cut in half and are very efficient at carrying water. These are fully open gutters that create a trough for everything that runs down your roof. This makes them prone to clogging with debris and leaves if you have trees nearby. In instances with nearby trees, it is a best practice to install leaf guards to prevent gutter clogs.
This style of gutter was particularly favored before the 1960s, so there is a chance you have these on your home if it is older. This style does require the use of brackets to mount the gutter to the fascia boards because they do not sit flush.
When looking at these gutters from the side, they appear to be shaped like the letter K. This style of gutter has been the most common for the last few decades. The solid back of the K-frame allows for the gutters to be directly screwed into the fascia board. A major selling point to this style of gutter is its resemblance to crown molding. It offers a higher level of decoration than the older half-round gutters.
As for water flow, K-Style gutters better hold water than traditional rounded gutters. The flat, straight bottoms with outwardly angled sides carry more water away from the home allowing minimal overflow. One downside of K-style rain gutters is that they are harder to clean due to the inside angles holding more debris. Once again, gutter guards should be installed when necessary.
Fascia gutters are custom built for the home where they are being installed. Half-round and k-style gutters need to be assembled and pieced together, which makes them prone to rust and leak. Fascia gutters are more expensive and need to be installed by a professional.
Aluminum is the most popular material for rain gutters and comes in several thicknesses. The thicker the aluminum, the more durable the gutter.
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Vinyl gutters come in a variety of colors and can be painted to fit your home. It is the least durable gutter material and is prone to weathering.
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Zinc rain gutters are highly durable, but it comes at a high price. These gutters are resistant to corrosion, weathering, and warping. Expect up to 50 years with these gutters.
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Steel gutters are more durable than aluminum but less durable than zinc. Most steel rain gutters are galvanized to delay rust, but rusting is inevitable as the gutter ages.
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