Types of Rain Gutters – Family Roofing

Posted on by David Reid

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Types of Rain Gutters

Rain gutter systems for your home are designed to catch rain, sleet, and meltwater from the roof of the home and any overhanging objects like trees, then redirect the flow through a series of interconnected channels leading down and away from the home.  This process isn’t just intended to prevent rain from pouring over the edges of the home.  Rain gutters, when attached to matching downspouts, allow the water to drain in a safe location where it is less likely to run back towards the foundation.

Rain gutters are available in a number of common styles and shapes, plus various materials, including aluminum, vinyl, galvanized steel, copper, and zinc.  These products also come in a range of color options, so you can find a gutter system that matches or accentuates the outdoor aesthetic of your home. Learn more about these types of rain gutters and get some helpful tips for deciding on the right type of rain gutter for your home.

It is usually not until our gutters start not working properly that we remember that they are even there.  If you are starting to notice water damage when it rains or that your gutters are starting to look worn and tired, it might be time to replace them.  When replacing your gutter system, one of the biggest decisions you will have to make is which type of gutter material to use. Here are the 4 best types of gutters for your home.

Seamed Gutters

Seamed or sectional gutters come in 10-foot lengths that are made to attach directly to the home’s fascia board using hangers.  This style of gutter can come in vinyl, aluminum, galvanized steel, copper, or zinc, though galvanized steel, copper, and zinc gutters need to be installed by professionals.  Seamed gutters are also available in half-round, K-style, box-style, and custom fascia shapes, depending on your preference.  Seamed gutters are a good choice for DIY installation and are typically more affordable than seamless gutters, though the type of material can increase or decrease the overall cost.

Another beneficial factor of choosing seamed gutters is that if one section gets damaged in a storm or otherwise fails, you only need to replace the damaged 10-foot section instead of trying to repair or replace an entire seamless gutter system.

Seamless Gutters

Seamless roof gutter of a brick residential house

 As the name suggests, seamless gutters are made to be all one piece, instead of having separate sections that need to be joined together during installation.  Seamed gutters come in distinct 10-foot lengths, but seamless gutters have almost no length limit.

Professional gutter installers are able to create seamless gutters of nearly any length because they use a mobile shop to create custom gutter roll-outs specifically measured and manufactured for your home.  The gutter starts out as a large roll of aluminum. The roll runs through the machine and is extruded at the other end in the shape of a gutter.  This service comes at an increased cost, but the gutter system is superior to a seamed gutter system.  Seamless gutters are more resistant to leaks and some companies will even agree to do a custom gutter run-out for you and let you install them yourself.

A major drawback to seamless gutter systems is that they are typically only available in rolled aluminum, while seamed gutters can be made out of vinyl, aluminum, galvanized steel, copper, or zinc.

K-Style Gutters

K-style gutters are the most common type of gutter found on homes that have been constructed within the last 50 years.  However, they are also being installed on older homes as a replacement for old gutters. K-style gutters get their name from the shape, as it resembles the letter ‘K’ when observed from the side.

Unlike half-round gutters, k-style gutters can be installed flush against the fascia board. The flat back allows you to nail the gutter directly to the board, without the need for brackets or hangers. Perhaps the biggest draw for these types of gutters is their decorative front side, which looks similar to crown molding.  In fact, many homeowners enjoy the look of these types of gutters. K-style gutters also come in a wide array of materials and sizes, and can also be installed seamless.

Half-Round Gutters

 

Put simply, half-round gutters are shaped like a tube that is cut directly in half. If you’re in the market for a type of gutter that will add to your home’s curb appeal without being too gaudy, half-round gutters might be the choice for you. They tend to have a very traditional appearance and look great on homes that have a particular architectural design.

Half-round gutters are commonly found on homes that were built before 1960. In fact, if you live in an older neighborhood, your homeowners’ association might require this type of gutter.  Aside from aesthetics, half-found gutters are a very effective choice for carrying water away from your home.  However, it’s important to note that their open, trough-like shape makes them susceptible to clogs from leaves and debris. As a result, it’s very common for homeowners to install leaf guards alongside half-round gutters.

Vinyl Gutters

Vinyl gutters are considered by gutter experts to be the best choice.  They have many benefits including how easy they are to install and how they will never rust.  They are so easy to install in fact that homeowners can easily do it themselves because these gutters are lightweight and are easily put together.  They are also one of the more inexpensive choices.

Aluminum Gutters

Aluminum gutters are also a popular choice.  Like vinyl gutters they don’t rust and are easy to install. If you live in colder climes though, aluminum gutters are a superior choice because they won’t crack or degrade in the colder temperatures as easily.  With aluminum gutters, you can also paint them to match the color of the outside of your house.  The one drawback is that aluminum can be easily dented or bent out of shape. You can combat this though by only choosing high quality aluminum for your gutters.

Stainless Steel Gutters

Stainless steel gutters are also a great option, but they are more expensive than vinyl or aluminum gutters.  On the positive side though, they are stronger and sturdier than the other two types of gutters and they don’t rust.

Copper Gutters

Copper gutters are beautiful to look at and are often used by homeowners who are trying to keep the original look to their older homes.  They tend to be more expensive though.  There are other decision you need to make besides the type of gutter for your new system like whether to go with sectional versus seamless and K-Shape or Half-Round shape.  Aluminum gutters are the only type that offers a seamless option like seamless half-round gutters. Keep in mind also that K-shape gutters are able to carry more water than the half-round ones and are overall sturdier.

Keep these other points in mind:

  • Choose the right size.  If you go too small, the gutters will only get overloaded in heavy downfalls leading to a lot of water damage to your home.  The wrong size can also lead to gutter damage and structural damage to your home. To calculate the right size, you need to figure out the size of your roof and pitch as well as how much rainfall you tend to get in your area.

  • Don’t hang your gutters too far apart.  You should hang the gutter hangers about every three feet or so.

  • Pay attention to the angle of your gutters.  Too large of an angle or one not large enough can affect the gutter’s performance.  The general rule of thumb is to allow for a ¼ inch slope towards the downspouts for every 10 feet of gutter.

  • Be careful while installing that you don’t by accident damage the gutters.  You will only be making more work for yourself and adding to your expenses.

Choosing Rain Gutters

When you are looking for a new rain gutter system for the home, it’s important to learn more about the various styles, shapes, and materials before coming to a final decision.  Seamed gutters are a great option if you want to take on the installation yourself because they are more DIY-friendly than seamless gutters.  While deciding between seamed or seamless, keep in mind that some gutter products are designed for professional installation only, including copper gutters and zinc gutters.

Similarly, if you choose to have box-style gutters installed at your house, you will need to hire a professional that can retrofit these gutters to a residential home.  For quick, easy DIY installation, it’s recommended to install aluminum or vinyl half-round or K-style gutters.  This will also help to keep the price of installation down, but it’s important to note that aluminum, vinyl, and galvanized steel gutters wear out much faster than copper or zinc.

Ultimately, you will need to select a style between seamed or seamless.  Choose a shape from half-round, K-style, custom fascia, and box-style.  Then finally decide on a material, including vinyl, aluminum, galvanized steel, zinc, and copper. Factor in the cost, ease of installation, and average lifespan of each product before making a conclusive decision.