It would be difficult to imagine a home without gutters, pipes that typically run horizontally along the edges of a roof, and downspouts, pipes that connect and run horizontally down a house's walls. Without them, surrounding soil would erode at a dangerously accelerated pace, foundation walls would crack or crumble, and your yard would be a muddy mess all because of the accumulation of runoff water from rain, snow, and ice.
Gutters and downspouts come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. The best one for your home depends on the environment where you live and the aesthetic appearance you prefer.
The Environment The size and shape of a gutter is called the "profile". The best profile for your home depends heavily on the amount of rainfall in your area. For example, an area with a lot of rainfall would most likely require a larger sized gutter for its capacity and ability to handle runoff water traveling at a faster speed. Larger gutters usually measure about 6 to 7 inches. Homes in areas of light precipitation require smaller sized gutters measuring from 5 to 6 inches.
Aesthetic Appeal Since gutters are visible on a house, it is important that they compliment their structure. The profile of a gutter depends on what best suits the aesthetic appeal of a house. Some homes may look good with box shaped gutters, while others may look better with K-shaped gutters.
Aluminum, steel, wood, or vinyl/plastic - the best material of your gutters and downspouts depends on what compliments your home. While steel, and even copper, were popular materials in the past, the gutters and downspouts of most homes today are constructed out of vinyl or plastic. These materials are economical as well as easy to maintain and repair. They also come in many shapes and sizes.
Many individuals are now turning to the to ensure that rainwater is trapped and routed to the right place. It is rather disheartening when a bad gutter system causes rainwater to flow into a person's home. The damage ends up far exceeding what the cost of a new gutter system would have been. This is why it is important to always monitor your gutters to make sure they don't need replaced.
But if they do need replaced, copper gutters are a sensible choice. This is because they do not rot or rust. They can also withstand any and all weather conditions that plague your particular area. It doesn't matter if it is 5 degrees or 100 degrees outside, a copper gutter can withstand virtually anything.
The style
You really don't have to worry about what a will look like on your home because they match the many different styles and colors that homes come in nowadays. Furthermore, everyone is bound to notice the copper gutter system on your home for the fact that it does look different. It doesn't look like your standard aluminum system that is painted in white and dented in various places. The copper gutter is visually appealing to anyone and everyone. Perhaps this is because it is easy to maintain the gutter's natural shine by applying sealants. These sealants can be purchased at virtually any hardware store.
However, you can ignore keeping the shine because some individuals who own stucco, stone or cedar homes prefer the copper to turn green because it simply preserves the essence of the home.
Maintenance
As for maintenance, not a lot is required. They are very durable; much more durable than your standard gutter. However, the standard cleaning still stands. You have to make sure that your copper gutter is not clogged so that water does not spill over and go where it is not supposed to. This is also so that water does not get under the shingles on your roof. This could weaken your roof.
In other words, you can expect that your home will be better protected. This can reduce the overall maintenance you have to perform on your home because you do not have to deal with external water damage.
Money is saved
Something that really appeals to homeowners using a copper gutter system on their home is that they are affordable, although they are more expensive than your traditional gutter system. This is due to the copper coats are genuine. But what is most important is that they are cheaper in the long-run than aluminum or iron gutters because the overall maintenance is cheaper. In addition to less maintenance, will last 60-100 years, which means you'll replace your aluminum gutters several times over the same time period. This means a lot of money can be saved in the future.
So if you are looking for a cost-effective solution that not only saves you money in the copper gutter itself, but also reduces other costs, then you now know which route to take. As for installation, they can be a bit tricky, so know that you can always contact a professional to give you a hand if you need to.
Mike Milliman is founder and partner of GutterSupply.com, the leading manufacturer and distributor of copper gutter supplies, gutter machines, and related tools and equipment.
Both Jason Brown & Mike Milliman are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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