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Are Custom Gutters Right for Your Building?
christine • Feb 10, 2020
Get A Free Quote Today!
A Beautiful Functional Accent to Every Building
Get A Free Quote Today!
A Beautiful Functional Accent to Every Building
Gutters are key to the safety and security of your home. They protect the roof and the underlying structure,
and even your whole property, yet some homes don't have them, and some homeowners even allow their gutters to fall into ruin. If your gutters are stressing you out and aren't providing the performance you need, custom gutters can offer the perfect fit and function you're looking for.
Why Gutters Are Key
If you're on the fence about getting gutters or upgrading to better quality custom gutters, consider for a moment all they do for you:
They Prevent Erosion
When a home is built, the foundation goes on a graded slope designed to direct water away from it and ensure the longevity of the structure. But if water continually runs off your roof and directly onto the base, it eventually erodes that graded slope. This erosion gets worse with every rainstorm, and eventually, all the water is running towards your foundation instead of away from it. When that happens, water gets into the foundation, and a whole host of new homeowner headaches pop up.
They Protect Your Basement
If you have a basement, you might have all kinds of valuable things in it, from a washer and dryer to an entire game room. Your gutters keep water out of the basement, protecting the walls from cracking and your game room from becoming a flood zone. Even if nothing actually floods, though, just allowing moisture in invites the growth of dangerous mold and mildew.
They Protect Your Siding
When rainwater runs down the side of the house, carrying dirt and leaves with it, it stains and may even shorten the lifespan of your siding. If this happens for long enough, the water might rot the siding. Rotten siding offers openings for pests to get into your home, and eventually might even let water in to destroy the structural integrity of the entire building.
They Protect Your Garden
If you like the idea of garden beds all along the edge of your home, then you need quality gutters. Gutters protect your beds from erosion and stop your plants from drowning after a couple of weeks of heavy rain.
Are Custom Gutters Right for Your Home?
You need gutters...but what kind should you get? You can get pre-made gutters at most building supply stores, but when are custom gutters the right choice?
When Aesthetics Matter
Gutters can be made to complement any home architecture and any style of roof. Well-designed custom gutters look good on the home, match the color and style of the building, and effectively whisk away water. Pre-cut gutters are often an eyesore that stands out in the neighborhood.
When You Have Special Challenges
Some trees are absolutely gorgeous, and they provide excellent shade to lower your heating bills and offer a pleasant place for a backyard BBQ. But when they drop their leaves over the house all through the autumn, and their seed pods all spring, they can clog up ordinary gutters.
Whether you have lots of debris hitting your roof, a particularly steep slope to your roof, or you just live where the rain is especially strong, custom gutters can be designed to the shape, depth, and gauge of metal you need to ensure the best performance for your home.
Your Structure Is a Unique Shape
Whether it's a home that's been added onto over the years or a new garage you've just put up, not all pre-made gutters will fit easily. When you get your own custom-made gutters, you know for certain that they're designed to fit the shape and angles of your structure perfectly.
Your Roof Is Metal
A metal roof presents a different challenge to your gutter system than a roof made of traditional materials. Gutters often need to be installed higher up, installed a bit differently, and be a bit bigger if you're attaching them to a metal roof. Putting in custom-made gutters at the same time as you put in your metal roof means the whole thing will perform seamlessly.
You Want Water Directed Specifically
Pre-made gutter systems limit your options when it comes to moving water off the roof and away from the home. When you get a custom gutter job, you can design the location, length, and angle of your downspouts to perfectly match your needs and preferences. If you need to protect a certain area or get water to a particular spot, you'll be able to do it a lot more easily with custom gutters.
Sectional
Sectional gutters can be easily purchased pre-made and attached by just snapping them together. In fact, many homeowners with a strong DIY streak can do it themselves with the right tools and ladder. They are available in vinyl and metal, yet just about their only pro is the initial price. They don't perform as well as seamless gutters and will need to be replaced and/or repaired more quickly. They also tend to leak and are much less attractive. They're tough to fit any odd angles, and the seams invite leaks.
Seamless
These offer by far the best look with lots of choices in material. The gutters are simply rolled out at your home and fit perfectly to your structure. They can be installed very quickly by professionals, have no length limit, and can't leak like sectional gutters. They last longer than sectional gutters and preserve the angles and look of your roofline for the best aesthetic value and curb appeal.
Seamless gutters also come in a wide variety of colors, offering you lots of choice for the look of your custom gutters.
K-Shape
These look a bit like the crown molding in your home and carry the most water. They're quite strong, and they work well on angled roofs. This makes them perfect for Colonial Revival architecture with their flat fascia boards.
Half-Round
These have a U shape and are the more "traditional" gutter look. They carry less water than K-shape and require more brackets to install. However, most people like their look, and they are easier to clean than K-shaped gutters. These work especially well with Spanish Colonial style homes and Tudor or Mock Tudor looks.
Gutter Materials
When you decide on a material for your gutters, you need to take into consideration the look you want, your budget, the style of your roof, and how long you want the gutter system to last.
Looks
Copper gutters are beautiful and acquire a kind of "vintage" look as they age. They look good against stone, brick, or slate homes. Meanwhile, galvanized gutters are shinier and tend to look more neutral as they complement modern architectural styles. Aluminum is the classic look and can be painted nearly any color you want.
Budget
Copper is the most expensive material in terms of up-front cost, but it also has the greatest longevity. Aluminum is the cheapest but also doesn't last as long as the other materials.
Roof Style
If you have a very steep roof, lots of valleys, or a metal roof, you probably want to choose six-inch gutters in a K-shape. If you have a lower roof, a five-inch half-round gutter will work fine.
Longevity
As mentioned, copper will last you the longest. If you take care of copper gutters, they can last over 50 years easily. Most of the rest will last between 10-30 years, with aluminum the least-durable choice.
A Word About Gutter Guards
Gutter guards are almost always a smart investment. They add value to your home and ensure your gutters will last longer. Having gutter guards also means it will be easier to clean your gutters. But gutter guards do more than just protect your gutters.
Protect Your Home
Gutter guards protect you from clogged gutters than can suddenly snap, causing costly damage to your home and property in the worst-case scenarios.
Keep Out Pests
Even better, gutter guards protect you from pests. There are certain animals who just love gutters: gutters are just the right size, shape, and location for a secure den. Bees and mosquitoes also love gutters, so it may be a smart move to keep all these pests from moving in at all.
Stop Gutter Fires
Finally, most people aren't aware that the number one reason for home fires are gutters. When the gutters are full of dry, dead leaves (read: tinder) and an errant ember, the gutters could catch, taking the rest of your home with them. If you live in a hot, dry climate, gutter guards are one of the simplest ways to protect your home and loved ones from fire.
Get Custom Gutters for Your Home
Visit Hill Country Metal Roofing Supply today, www.HillCountryMetalRoofingSupply / 512-676-5838 , find out how we can help you install the perfect gutter system to fit your home. Whatever shape, size, or aesthetic you're looking for, we have the custom-designed answer for you.
Get A Free Quote Today!
Why Gutters Are Key
If you're on the fence about getting gutters or upgrading to better quality custom gutters, consider for a moment all they do for you:
They Prevent Erosion
When a home is built, the foundation goes on a graded slope designed to direct water away from it and ensure the longevity of the structure. But if water continually runs off your roof and directly onto the base, it eventually erodes that graded slope. This erosion gets worse with every rainstorm, and eventually, all the water is running towards your foundation instead of away from it. When that happens, water gets into the foundation, and a whole host of new homeowner headaches pop up.
They Protect Your Basement
If you have a basement, you might have all kinds of valuable things in it, from a washer and dryer to an entire game room. Your gutters keep water out of the basement, protecting the walls from cracking and your game room from becoming a flood zone. Even if nothing actually floods, though, just allowing moisture in invites the growth of dangerous mold and mildew.
They Protect Your Siding
When rainwater runs down the side of the house, carrying dirt and leaves with it, it stains and may even shorten the lifespan of your siding. If this happens for long enough, the water might rot the siding. Rotten siding offers openings for pests to get into your home, and eventually might even let water in to destroy the structural integrity of the entire building.
They Protect Your Garden
If you like the idea of garden beds all along the edge of your home, then you need quality gutters. Gutters protect your beds from erosion and stop your plants from drowning after a couple of weeks of heavy rain.
Are Custom Gutters Right for Your Home?
You need gutters...but what kind should you get? You can get pre-made gutters at most building supply stores, but when are custom gutters the right choice?
When Aesthetics Matter
Gutters can be made to complement any home architecture and any style of roof. Well-designed custom gutters look good on the home, match the color and style of the building, and effectively whisk away water. Pre-cut gutters are often an eyesore that stands out in the neighborhood.
When You Have Special Challenges
Some trees are absolutely gorgeous, and they provide excellent shade to lower your heating bills and offer a pleasant place for a backyard BBQ. But when they drop their leaves over the house all through the autumn, and their seed pods all spring, they can clog up ordinary gutters.
Whether you have lots of debris hitting your roof, a particularly steep slope to your roof, or you just live where the rain is especially strong, custom gutters can be designed to the shape, depth, and gauge of metal you need to ensure the best performance for your home.
Your Structure Is a Unique Shape
Whether it's a home that's been added onto over the years or a new garage you've just put up, not all pre-made gutters will fit easily. When you get your own custom-made gutters, you know for certain that they're designed to fit the shape and angles of your structure perfectly.
Your Roof Is Metal
A metal roof presents a different challenge to your gutter system than a roof made of traditional materials. Gutters often need to be installed higher up, installed a bit differently, and be a bit bigger if you're attaching them to a metal roof. Putting in custom-made gutters at the same time as you put in your metal roof means the whole thing will perform seamlessly.
You Want Water Directed Specifically
Pre-made gutter systems limit your options when it comes to moving water off the roof and away from the home. When you get a custom gutter job, you can design the location, length, and angle of your downspouts to perfectly match your needs and preferences. If you need to protect a certain area or get water to a particular spot, you'll be able to do it a lot more easily with custom gutters.
Things to Consider When You Choose Gutters
Seamless vs. Sectional Gutters
Sectional gutters can be easily purchased pre-made and attached by just snapping them together. In fact, many homeowners with a strong DIY streak can do it themselves with the right tools and ladder. They are available in vinyl and metal, yet just about their only pro is the initial price. They don't perform as well as seamless gutters and will need to be replaced and/or repaired more quickly. They also tend to leak and are much less attractive. They're tough to fit any odd angles, and the seams invite leaks.
Seamless
These offer by far the best look with lots of choices in material. The gutters are simply rolled out at your home and fit perfectly to your structure. They can be installed very quickly by professionals, have no length limit, and can't leak like sectional gutters. They last longer than sectional gutters and preserve the angles and look of your roofline for the best aesthetic value and curb appeal.
Seamless gutters also come in a wide variety of colors, offering you lots of choice for the look of your custom gutters.
Gutter Shapes
These look a bit like the crown molding in your home and carry the most water. They're quite strong, and they work well on angled roofs. This makes them perfect for Colonial Revival architecture with their flat fascia boards.
Half-Round
These have a U shape and are the more "traditional" gutter look. They carry less water than K-shape and require more brackets to install. However, most people like their look, and they are easier to clean than K-shaped gutters. These work especially well with Spanish Colonial style homes and Tudor or Mock Tudor looks.
Gutter Materials
When you decide on a material for your gutters, you need to take into consideration the look you want, your budget, the style of your roof, and how long you want the gutter system to last.
Looks
Copper gutters are beautiful and acquire a kind of "vintage" look as they age. They look good against stone, brick, or slate homes. Meanwhile, galvanized gutters are shinier and tend to look more neutral as they complement modern architectural styles. Aluminum is the classic look and can be painted nearly any color you want.
Budget
Copper is the most expensive material in terms of up-front cost, but it also has the greatest longevity. Aluminum is the cheapest but also doesn't last as long as the other materials.
Roof Style
If you have a very steep roof, lots of valleys, or a metal roof, you probably want to choose six-inch gutters in a K-shape. If you have a lower roof, a five-inch half-round gutter will work fine.
Longevity
As mentioned, copper will last you the longest. If you take care of copper gutters, they can last over 50 years easily. Most of the rest will last between 10-30 years, with aluminum the least-durable choice.
A Word About Gutter Guards
Gutter guards are almost always a smart investment. They add value to your home and ensure your gutters will last longer. Having gutter guards also means it will be easier to clean your gutters. But gutter guards do more than just protect your gutters.
Protect Your Home
Gutter guards protect you from clogged gutters than can suddenly snap, causing costly damage to your home and property in the worst-case scenarios.
Keep Out Pests
Even better, gutter guards protect you from pests. There are certain animals who just love gutters: gutters are just the right size, shape, and location for a secure den. Bees and mosquitoes also love gutters, so it may be a smart move to keep all these pests from moving in at all.
Stop Gutter Fires
Finally, most people aren't aware that the number one reason for home fires are gutters. When the gutters are full of dry, dead leaves (read: tinder) and an errant ember, the gutters could catch, taking the rest of your home with them. If you live in a hot, dry climate, gutter guards are one of the simplest ways to protect your home and loved ones from fire.
Get Custom Gutters for Your Home
Visit Hill Country Metal Roofing Supply today, www.HillCountryMetalRoofingSupply / 512-676-5838 , find out how we can help you install the perfect gutter system to fit your home. Whatever shape, size, or aesthetic you're looking for, we have the custom-designed answer for you.
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