Rain gutters are used to handle a critical task of routing the runoff from the roof to proper drainage away from the house. It helps in keeping the house dry, protecting siding, windows, doors and foundation from water damages.
The gutters can be installed on existing roofs or can be added during re- roofing to simplify the installation and allows them to fully integrate into the roof system. Gutters are not required in all the types of houses.
There are different types of gutters available. The gutters can be installed by the home owners but some need professional help.
Types of gutters:
Half rounder gutters – Half round gutters are found on many oldhomes as well as new houses to give a touch of style to the exterior of the house. Half rounded gutters are made of all metals such as copper, plastic. There are many advantages of half round gutters. It is very smooth and decrease corrosion and clogs which makes the gutters easier to clean. The disadvantage of half round gutters is it is unable to hold a lot of water and cause gutters to overflow in the areas that get a lot of rainfall.
Seamless aluminum gutters – Seamless gutters very effective and affordable which makes them a top choice among the homeowners. Seamless aluminum gutters can be custom made to fit to the length needed and have no joints or seams to let in water or debris. Aluminum gutters have many advantages. Seamless aluminum gutters do not crack or split like vinyl and do not rust like steel. It is a long lasting and inexpensive gutter and easy to install.
K – Style gutters – K-gutters when viewed from the side resembles the letter K, hence the name K-style, which is also known as ‘Ogee’ gutter, which means double curve. It is available in different sizes. The two common sizes are five inch and six inch gutters. K-gutters are made of aluminum. But it also comes in vinyl, copper and steel. K-gutters can hold more water than rounded gutters. It is less likely to bend under heavy force. The disadvantage of K-gutters is that it is hard to clean.
Wood gutters – Wood gutters installation has been significantly reduced as it is expensive, extremely heavy and is high in maintenance. Wood gutters need to be treated with linseed oil at least once in a year to enhance the water resistance. Wood can also be painted, which may crack and peel off due to moisture.
DIY Vinyl Gutters:
The DIY vinyl gutters can be installed by the house owner. It is commonly available in home improvement centers and lumberyards and can be installed easily by the homeowners with the tools available at home. Vinyl gutter do not rust or required a finish. But it may become brittle over the years and crack when the weather is cold. There are limited colors such as white and brown color choices available and the dark colored one tend to degrade with the exposure to sun rays.
Gutter mounting system:
Gutters are mounted to the eaves of the house by using straps, brackets or hangers. A hidden hanger method is the common one. Or screw a hanger to fascia or rafter tail. And if there are no rafters or fascia to attach to, a strap is used.