Rain gutters are roofing materials that are used to collect and route water runoff from rooftops safely away from an architectural structure. These gutters offer tremendous aid in preventing mould buildup on the body of houses, weakening of house foundation, soil erosion and damaged landscape. Though these rain gutters are quite small, they remain vital elements of the roofing system of a house and a durable investment in your home’s infrastructure.
Choosing the best rain gutter system for your home necessitates the ability to find the precise balance between the material used in making the gutter, the shape of the guttering and the cost. It is normal that most rain gutters are installed onto existing roofs, but installing them during the initial roofing process makes it easier and allows the gutters to be properly incorporated into the roof framework.
Most gutters come with simple do-it-yourself guides though there is no harm in seeking expert help to install your gutters. Some of these gutters are made of sheet metal, wood, vinyl, aluminum and stainless steel and there are different kinds of them available depending on your roof type; these include seamless, sheet metal, continuous, soldered, and copper as well as a host of others.
Aluminum is the most popular type of rain gutter as it possesses more qualities over the other kinds. Aside from being less expensive than most gutter types, aluminum gutters are corrosion-resistant, lightweight, and obtainable in different colors.
Steel gutters are another choice on the market and are coated with a layer of aluminum and zinc in a bid to combat the problem of rust. Though these are expensive, they are quite strong and can also be painted to any color of your choice. There are also the galvanized steel gutters which can resist rust but isn’t as durable as other types of gutters.
While not popular, wood gutters remain the choice of some homeowners, especially agricultural perfectionists. They are pricey, heavy and require regular maintenance. Red cedar heartwood and Redwood are very common choices due to their resistance to decay.
Calculating what sizes and capacities of rain gutters you need as well as your roof slope and average rainfall can be quite challenging, it is best that you hire a professional roofer to handle your gutter fittings for you.