We are all happy to have a roof over our heads, especially when it’s pouring down rain. While the roof itself does a critical job protecting us from the elements, it has a partner in this task in the form of rain gutters. Rain gutters are what keep a sheet of rain sliding off the roof from drenching us whenever we venture out on a wet day. They also keep that water away from the house’s sidings and foundation, which greatly reduces the risk of water damage.
The concept of the rain gutter is fairly simple, an artificial stream bed that allows the water from the roof to flow into it, then carries it safely away to a rain barrel or drain pipe. Gutters are available in a number of different types of materials, like the highly durable iR-uPVC rain gutter that is taking the roofing world by storm, as well as different designs built to sit a variety of architectural needs. Let’s take a look at the most common types of Gutter System son the market!
Fascia Gutters – Half-round gutters are comprised of a semicircular trough that has a curved lip, making them well-suited for round downspouts. Half-round gutters are generally available in widths of 12 to 16 centimetres. This type of gutter is a familiar sight in neighbourhoods where the homes were prior to 1960. This gives them a more traditional look, so they work particularly well for historic and brick homes.
K-Style Gutters – K-style gutters are one of the most common types of gutter available due in part to them being very DIY-friendly and sporting a decorative look that closely resembles crown moulding. They are available in a range of 12 to 16 centimetres widths and commonly utilize rectangular downspouts. The DIY-friendly aspect is their flat back that can be nailed directly into the fascia boards so they are quite easy to install. They do have a downside, however, K-style gutters are a bit more troublesome to clean than some other gutter styles because their inner angles tend to collect a considerable amount of debris.
Box-Style Gutters – You will mostly see box-style gutters on industrial and commercial buildings, but they are sometimes used on residential homes that desire an industrial aesthetic. These are jumbo-sized gutters designed to handle large amounts of rainwater, so they are great for homes that have big roofs. They usually come in 18 and 20-centimetre widths, and even larger for really heavy-duty situations. Unlike most other kinds of Gutter Systems, box-style gutters don’t hang from the roof’s edge, instead their high back section tucks in under the roof’s shingles, so they need to be installed during the home’s construction.
Fascia Gutters – Fascia gutters custom-built gutters to provide a contemporary, seamless aesthetic. They do not lend themselves to DIY efforts because they come as a long single piece of aluminium that requires a professional installer to construct a gutter system that is specifically designed for your home. This makes them more expensive than other gutter types.
Gutter Guards – Another important component of gutter systems that bares mentioning are gutter guards designed to increase a system’s reliability and efficiency by helping to prevent clogs. The Leaf Filter style is the most popular, and is often installed as an upgrade because it offers great protection along with a stylish look that aligns the gutter cover so it will blend seamlessly with your roof. They come in a variety of colours to match your existing gutters. The Leaf Filter is a three-piece gutter guard system that is composed of micro-mesh, making them highly efficient because they are able to catch even minuscule bits of debris like shingle grit and pollen!
If you are shopping for gutters you are going to be hearing some specific gutter-related words and phrases that aren’t used in general conversation. To get you caught up on all the latest gutter lingo here are some helpful terms to know!
Downspouts – The section of your gutter system that runs vertically down the side of your house to send the rainwater coming off your roof to a rain barrel, drain pipe, or onto the ground.
Downspout Elbow – The angled piece at the downspout’s bottom of that directs the rainwater away from the foundation of your home.
End Caps – The end caps fit over the end of the gutter system to seal it off, sending the rainwater in the desired direction to the downspout.
Hangers – The strips of metal or other durable material that support the gutter’s bottom so it doesn’t sag.
Mitred Corner – The section of the gutter system that fits on the corner of the roof.
Section – The unit of measurement of the pieces that make up the gutter system.
Although often overlooked, gutters are an important component of the roof that protects your home from water damage while also adding to its architectural character. You will be glad to have them working for you when you step out on that rainy day!
