Selecting Rain Gutters for your Roof

Whether the roof of your home is made of shingles, tiles, copper or other roofing materials, your roof is your home’s primary defense against weather and the elements that can cause costly damage to your home and what’s inside it. Your roof has a safeguard against water intrusion, your rain gutter system. Installing reliable roof rain gutters and maintaining an adequate drainage system can go a long way toward preserving your roof and other moisture sensitive parts of your home, like walls and foundation.

Roof gutters are mounted along the edge of the roof and provide a direction for rain, melted snow, and other runoff to flow off your roof through a downspout and safely away from the foundation of your home. Specifically, runoff is directed away from your roof, attic, walls, foundation or other areas around your home where collecting water could cause rot, mold and other structural damage.

There are several points to consider when choosing roof gutters for your home. It’s important to consider quality and performance and understand what works best for your type of home and your location. But rain gutters are not just utilitarian anymore. You can also choose styles and materials that not only serve a useful purpose but can also benefit the look of your home.

K-Style Gutters

K-style gutters are the most popular type of gutter used nowadays, and if you buy a home it will probably have this type of gutter on it. It’s a common misconception that they are named after their shape, but they are not shaped like a “K”. Instead, their name is derived from a national association that lists it as option “K” in the available and common types of gutters. They are very popular because of their appearance and how decorative they are. These gutters have a much curvier profile than other types of gutters, and homeowners generally love the way they look. The look is often considered to closely mimic the appearance of crown molding, which is popular for homeowners to install around their ceilings in their homes. They can hold more rainwater than rounded gutters are able to, making them an ideal choice if you live somewhere where it rains a lot. In addition, they come in a number of sizes and materials, and there are many roofers who are able to make them on-demand at a site to fit perfectly on the home. This means there will be a seamless end product that won’t leak very easily. Also, because of the flat back on the k-style gutters, they can be screwed flush against the fascia of the home, creating a seamless look.

Aluminum Gutter

This is probably the most common type of gutter that is currently available, and for good reason as they are incredibly lightweight and easy to install. In addition, when you choose aluminum gutters, you won’t have to worry about any corrosion affecting the appearance of your gutter and you will be able to easily match the color of your gutters to the rest of your external color scheme. This means they are easy for a professional to install, can usually be created and cut right at your home, and you will be able to choose the color you want. In addition, they usually cost a lot less than some of the other alternatives, so it’s easy to see why they are so popular.

Compared to aluminum gutters, vinyl gutters are much less expensive. They are made of a strong plastic that will protect them from being dented or bent and will never corrode. This is important if you live in an area with regular heavy storms, but do not want to have to be constantly cleaning out your gutters each time it rains. Since they are so lightweight, they are easy to both cut and install, so you can have them installed on your home quickly if you are in an emergency or a big rush. Since these gutters aren’t painted and are actually the same color all of the way through the plastic, if they ever get scratched by a tree branch or a ladder leaning up against them, you won’t have to worry about being able to see it from the ground. You do have to be a little careful when buying vinyl gutters, as you want to make sure you are not buying ones that have been cheaply constructed. Vinyl gutters that are thinner will sag with age and time and can actually grow brittle and shatter. This is something you will want to avoid, especially if you live in a particularly cold area, as cold is detrimental to vinyl. It’s generally a good idea to talk to your roofer about getting thicker vinyl gutters so they will last longer. You’ll also love how quickly they snap together and can be installed, but it’s still a good idea to hire a professional to do the work so you don’t have to worry about any leaks.

Old gutters start to display signs of rust and structural weakness. You might notice warped metal, chipped paint, holes, leaky joints, sagging, and splits along the ridges. On a rainy day, inspect your gutters to see if the water is flowing smoothly through the channels and away from your home.