When it comes to picking out new gutters for your house, you have several materials from which to choose. Aluminum, steel (galvanized or stainless), and vinyl are the most common choices. Vinyl is the cheapest material and is available in thicknesses from 1.7-2.2 mm. Durability is fairly low regardless of which gauge you choose; this material tends to turn brittle over time.

With metal gutters, the gauge does make a big difference. Thicker is better with .032 considered optimal. Steel doesn’t dent easily and aluminum is corrosion proof. Stainless steel is resistant to rust, but is more expensive than aluminum or galvanized steel. Copper is another option, but few homeowners choose this material because of its high upfront cost.

Profiles

There are 3 basic profiles for gutter channels. The basic U shape (also called the half round) is an open design that is easily accessible for cleaning. The K or ogee shape is one of the most common gutter profiles. It doesn’t have the highest capacity, but the indent along the front edge offers a little more structural support for thin gauge materials.

Fascia style rain gutters are designed to blend in with the trim on your house. They are one of the most attractive options. For any profile, you can choose a 5”, 6” or 7” size. Downspouts are generally either round or rectangular in cross section and may be smooth or corrugated. The amount of rainfall in your area plays a role in how large your gutters and downspouts need to be.

Related posts:

1. Is It Time To Repaint Your Gutters?
2. Professional Aluminum Rain Gutters
3. Color-Changing Copper Gutters
4. Wooden Gutters – A Fashionable Choice
5. Galvanized Gutter Leak Repair

Tags: Gutters

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 at 7:48 pm and is filed under Gutters. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.