WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HALF-ROUND GUTTERS – FAMILY ROOFING

Posted on by David Reid

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WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HALF-ROUND GUTTERS

There are many types of gutters out there to usher water runoff from your roof.  You’ll see most modern homes with an aluminum gutter, but they’re a plain sight to see.   Gutters don’t have to be boring.  You can choose one that gets the job done while adding a stylish touch to your home.

What Is A Half-Round Gutter?

Traditional homes used various ways to catch and drain rainwater.  Among all, half-round gutters did much of this.   A half-round gutter looks like a semi-cylindrical pipe with a hollow opening.  Before the seamless gutter took over, its opening had curled-top edges.  Its rounded design graced the appeal of older European homes. These were so popular that they made their way to the United States.   Most old homeowners opt for half-round gutters, especially for home restoration.  There are also several materials to choose from that go well with any exterior.

Where Are Half-Round Gutters Used?

Half-round gutters are no different than regular gutters in that fact that their purpose is to divert water away from the foundation.  They drain rainwater runoff and waterborne debris.  Its roundedness helps water to flow through without any water buildup.  You can also choose from a wide variation of gutters: copper, aluminum, steel, or galvanized. These materials add a bit more flair by matching your home’s exterior.  Another variation of half-round is the seamless gutters. It has a perfect fit around your roof’s edges, leaving no space in between.  As the name suggests, they come without any seams. Although pricier, they’re of excellent functionality when it comes to leakages and links.

About Half-Round Gutters

Half-round gutters resemble a tube that has been cut in half.  These gutters have a symmetrical U-shape that complements older, historic homes.  However, the rounded shape can also be a good match for modern homes that are designed to be less angular than the norm.  Half-round gutters don’t have a flat side, which makes the installation a little trickier than K-style gutters.

Benefits of Half-Round Gutters

The inside of a half-round gutter is smoother than the inside of a K-style gutter.  This improves the gutters’ durability and prevents the metal from corroding over time. The smooth surface doesn’t have as many creases for water to collect in.  The smooth insides of half-round gutters are also more effective at washing debris out of the gutters.

Half-round gutters also require less maintenance than K-style gutters.  They do not leak as often as other gutter profiles, particularly if you install seamless half-round gutters.  Half-round gutters can work very well when installed together with a gutter protection system. In general, we recommend half-round gutters for homeowners who live in historic homes and for homeowners who are worried about heavy rainfall and snow.

DESIGN

Unique and stylish, half-round gutters add a touch of sophistication to your home.  They come in different materials and colors to suit your house’s design.  Though more ideal for older designs, the seamless gutter cleans up neat and matches any home type.  They have clean lines that mesh well with rounder roof shapes.

FUNCTIONALITY

Half-round gutters usher water runoff and rubble that’s carried along with rainfall.  Its smooth and rounded sides prevent debris from clogging passageways.  The K-style gutters have square sides that gather a lot of debris or snowfall.  In this case, they usually need the installation of gutter guards for more protection.  Given this, half-round gutters are easier to clean, and you can do away with the need for gutter guards.

DURABILITY

Its rounded interior has a smoother surface than other gutters.  Due to this, it prevents water from pooling on any nooks and crannies.   Usually, wetness forming on the surface of gutter creaks and edges lead to corrosion.   With half-round, its metal is durable enough to last you long.  You can even choose any material that is of high quality.

Downsides of Half-Round Gutters

While half-round gutters have their benefits, there are drawbacks to them as well. It would be best if you ruled these out first before deciding on a gutter system:

DRAINAGE WIDTH

Other gutter types have a great holding capacity for water.  Such isn’t always the case with half-round gutters.  They come in an average width of 3-inches, which may not keep up with heavy rainfall.  During thunderstorms, it’s possible for potential damages on your backsplash from the overflow.

LIMITED AVAILABILITY

Half-round gutters aren’t widely manufactured as other common gutters. There aren’t as many suppliers for this hardware, which makes them hard to replace.  If you need immediate installation, it will take some time before you get them replaced.  You might also want to consider copper gutters, which are more popular than aluminum.  Additionally, aluminum takes longer to produce, especially with customized colors.

PRICE

Half-round gutters come with plenty of accessories and brackets to piece them together.  Not to mention, a seamless gutter comes pricey.  You’ll also need a professional gutter company for installation.  Customized gutter material and colors also aren’t the easiest to fabricate.  You can expect to pay more with half-round gutters.

Choosing the Right Kind of Gutters for Your Home

An inch of rainfall that falls on an average-size roof equals 1900 gallons of water flowing into your gutters.  As the leading installer of gutters and retractable awnings, we recommend carefully weighing your options before choosing your new gutters.  You’ll not only have to think about the right gutter profile for your home, but you’ll also have to choose the right gutter material for your needs.  Different gutter materials have different advantages and disadvantages.

Aluminum Gutters

Aluminum is one of the most popular gutter materials, combining durability and reliability with affordability.  Aluminum is not prone to rusting, unlike ordinary steel. Aluminum gutters also come in a wide variety of colors, making it easy to find a solution that complements the other components of your home’s exterior.

Vinyl Gutters

Vinyl is very affordable, but it comes with significant downsides.  Vinyl gutters are not a good choice for areas that experience strong winds, heavy snowfall and torrential rain.  They’re also not a good choice for areas that receive a lot of sunlight. As an experienced installer of gutters and awnings, we can help you figure out if vinyl is the right choice for your project.

Steel Gutters

Steel gutters are usually galvanized to prevent rusting.  This protection generally lasts for about 20 years. Steel gutters cost more than aluminum gutters, but they are a lot more durable.  Steel gutters tend to be the best choice for homeowners that live in climates with extreme weather events.

Copper Gutters

Copper gutters are incredibly popular among homeowners who prioritize aesthetics, as they feature a high-end, classic beauty.  Unlike other gutter materials, copper gutters actually grow more beautiful over time.  They develop a patina that some homeowners find really appealing.  If you don’t like the look of a patina, you can clean your gutters regularly to prevent it from developing.  Copper gutters aren’t just beautiful.  They are also durable and can perform well in almost any climate.  Copper gutters are a premium gutter option. Copper gutters look great on most architectural styles.