When hanging gutters in Little Rock AR, or the local area, it is essential that they are installed correctly. Rain gutters divert and carry rainwater away from your house preventing damage to the roof, your home’s foundation, soil erosion and damage to walls and siding. If hung improperly, the gutters will not be effective in protecting your home. It is also important to choose the best type for your home, considering things like effectiveness, appearance, and longevity.
There are several gutter styles and gutter materials to consider when making the perfect system for your home.
Gutter Styles and Sizes
K-Style
Gutters come in different sizes and profiles. The most common is the 5 or 6 inch aluminum K-style style. Most would assume they got this name because they are shaped like the letter “K”. However, they actually look nothing like a K. The term K style comes from Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractor’s National Association (SMACNA) alphabetical listing of the twelve most common gutter types, the letter K being number eleven.
The profile of the K style has the appearance of decorative crown molding. This makes them very popular because they have a great appearance which is why they are also called ogee gutters. Ogee being a double curve profile resembling the letter S that is used in molding and architecture. Now that we have debunked that myth, what are some other profiles to choose from?
Half Round
A half round gutter is another type that is not as common, but is found on some turn-of-the-century homes. They have a certain look that some may find appealing, however they are not as effective as the K style. Being about half as deep as a K style gutter, debris can build up in the gutter, causing water to overflow. Because the back is round, the hangers have to be visible under the gutter for support, instead of hidden hangers as with the K-style.
Box Style Gutter
A box style gutter is sometimes used for commercial applications because they handle larger volumes of water, especially the 7 inch types. Box gutters are also called concealed gutters because they can be fitted beneath your home’s fascia boards for a roofline for a sleek, modern look.
These are just a few of the many types of gutter styles to choose from, but are the most common. The next thing to consider is the material they are made from.
Gutter Materials
Each type of material has its pros and cons, so you’ll have to consider them carefully before making any decisions when choosing a gutter product. The basic materials gutters are made from include metal, PVC/vinyl and wood.
For metal gutters, aluminum dominates the market. It is corrosion-resistant, lightweight and is less expensive than the other metal types. Other metal choices are galvanized steel and copper. Copper being one of the most expensive alternatives, but copper looks great and has the added advantage of not needing paint while steel and aluminum do.
Wood gutters add a traditional charm to a home, but are expensive and may require more maintenance than metal or plastic to keep them waterproof.
PVC/Vinyl gutters are durable and resist denting, but may crack and split more easily than the other gutter materials, and are not as environmentally friendly.
Sectional and Seamless Gutters
Gutter come in two basic types, either sectional or seamless/continuous. Sectional gutters come in pieces and are installed as component systems. Seamless gutters need to be installed by a contractor with special equipment that extrudes gutter sections to the exact length, thus they have no seams. This makes the gutter stronger, with no seams that are prone to leak, and no sagging as with sectional gutters that experience the stress of heavy snow or other forces.
Keep Your Gutters Clear of Debris
Regardless of what kind of gutters you choose to install, maintenance is needed to ensure that your gutters stay free of debris that cause them to overflow and damage the gutter materials and your home. Installing gutter guards on top will make maintenance tasks much less.
Whether hanging gutters in Little Rock AK, or the local area, as part of new roofing project or you’re just installing new gutters for your home as part of ongoing maintenance, we at P.I. Roofing and Home Solutions can help. Let us install a Gutter Helmet gutter protection system to complete the job.
