The term “gutters” can be interchanged with the words “eavestroughs” or “rain ware”.
Depending on where in Canada or the U.S. you live; the words used may be different, but they all refer to the same thing.
First to understand; is the function of gutters and their associated components. Gutters serve to carry rain and roof water away from the base of the roof, and to direct such water at the ground level, away from vulnerable foundation areas.
Cities like Toronto, are interested to prevent rain water from homes, from being directed into the storm sewers; and now prefer that the storm water be directed onto lawns, gardens or into rain barrels. The action is designed to help mitigate over-taxing our sewer systems as
our population has rapidly increased throughout the GTA.
Gutters come in various profiles, have varying sizes, and are manufactured from different materials.
Most typically aluminum gutters are the most common choice throughout North America; primarily because they are relatively inexpensive to manufacture and install. Aluminum gutters do not rust because of the alloy used, and because the aluminum coil used to make the gutters, is subjected to a paint process providing further protection.
Other advantages of aluminum gutters include the fact that they come in a wide variety of colours to match complementary soffit, fascia, and siding materials. Another advantage is the fact that the gutter can be extruded to long lengths without having a seam. There are essentially three gauges (thicknesses) of aluminum gutters available.
Aluminum ”K” style gutters (referring to profile); are available in .023 and .027 gauges. (The larger number refers to heavier material). Certain premium aluminum gutters such as RainPro™, manufactured by Englert™; are even heavier 0.32 gauge, and are made with a special Krylar paint finish designed to last twenty years without chipping or fading. RainPro™ gutters are designed to look like a 5” gutter, but actually have 32% greater flow capacity than a traditional 5” “K” style gutter.
Other gutter types include those made of galvanized steel, pre-painted galvanized steel, and copper.
These gutter types were the primary material choice in decades past, before aluminum became popular in the late sixties and early seventies.
Many historic properties, and architecturally significant properties, require using such materials today.
The fact is that such materials are heavier, and gutter products manufactured using copper are designed to function for decades.
Costs for copper gutters can be easily four times the price of common aluminum gutters.
Part of the cost differential relates to the fact that copper is an alloy have considerable market value, whose commodity price varies, and the craftsmanship required to install such gutters ,requires the skills of a tinsmith for soldering and manufacturing, and field installation.
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Gutter materials such as plain galvanized steel, are hard to come by in the Toronto market, simply because demand for the product has waned so dramatically over the past thirty years.
Specialty type gutters, such as copper or zinc, can be extruded to form profiles such as “Ogee”, “Half Round”, and “K-styles.
Other less known types of gutter systems include “in-laid” gutters. Such gutters are incorporated into the architectural design of the roof line, at the bottom roof eaves area; and are designed to be “hidden” behind the front fascia board.
Inlaid gutters have been popular on some Colonial designed structures, and many modern architectural styles of homes built in the 1950’s and beyond.
In-laid gutters have originally been hand-made, and custom fabricated using materials such as copper, zinc or galvanized steel.
Such adjoining sections would be soldered using lead or brass solder, and in-laid into a preformed wooden box structure, or integrated into the base of a roof line at the eaves area.
The key as with most trade related activities, is to have the work completed in a safe and competent manner. Where gutters are concerned, among the most important elements include; cambering the gutters to effect positive drainage, that they are properly secured, and that seams of the material are either soldered or sealed using high grade gutter sealant in the case of aluminum.
Gutters are typically secured using hidden brackets, which are screwed into the fascia board behind the gutters. Specialty gutters may employ differing hardware for attachment.
Downpipes which are designed to direct water from the gutters above, down to the ground level; are important to consider when replacing a gutter system. The larger the downpipe, the better the capacity to shed water. Common sizes include 2”x3”, 3”x3” and 4”x3”.
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Where downpipes are placed is equally as important in order to accurately handle water volume and to help avoid “spill over”. A rough calculation when determining the amount of downpipes required; is to calculate the length of the total amount of gutters required on the home or building. About half of the total gutter length, will represent the approximate amount of downpipes required for a particular project. As an example; if there is 300’ of gutter required; then 150’ of downpipe will likely be necessary in addition to the amount of gutter required. There are however; exceptions based on roof design elements, and the limitations of where ground water may have to be directed.
The cost of a gutter replacement job may vary because of the working access around a particular property, the height of installation. Whether or not wood repairs are required on the supporting fascia board or associated roof rafter tails beneath, and of course the type of gutter and downpipe products selected.
To learn more about gutters, related service, repair and installation; visit: www.avenueroadroofing.com