Choosing The Right Type of Guttering for Your Home

Guttering is your home’s first line of defence against the elements, keeping water away from the walls and protecting them from potential damage. As such, choosing the right type of guttering for your house and the area in which you live is imperative. In this blog we look at the different guttering materials and shapes available and how to choose the most suitable for your home.

Different Guttering Materials

Guttering is available in many materials, with the two most popular types being metal and PVC.

PVC

PVC is the most common type of guttering. It is perfect if you are looking for a low-cost but reliable guttering system. PVC is extremely strong and durable, but also flexible, which means it can withstand most weathers without breaking or snapping. It is also very easy to install, and damaged parts are simple and quick to replace. PVC guttering is available in a wide variety of designs and colours, so you are sure to find a system that blends beautifully with your home.

A disadvantage of PVC guttering is that it is susceptible to damage from UV rays and can become discoloured and brittle over time. It is also more vulnerable to extremely cold weather such as frost, which can cause it to crack.

Metal

Metal is another popular choice of guttering and there is a wide range of different types of metal to choose from, including:

• Cast iron
• Aluminium
• Copper
• Stainless steel

Metal guttering tends to be stronger and more decorative than PVC guttering. It is also more resistant to extreme weather conditions and UV rays, and is durable enough to withstand bumps and knocks from ladders and scaffolding. However, each type of metal does have its own disadvantages. For example, cast iron may last over 100 years, but it is expensive and extremely heavy, needing scaffolding and professionals to install. Many metals will also need a protective coating to shield them from the elements and prevent corrosion – although corrosion will most likely occur at some point. If choosing a new metal guttering system, it is advisable to thoroughly research the options available and be aware of both their pros and cons.

As well as different materials, guttering also comes in a variety of different shapes and sizes.

Gutter Shapes

Round Gutters

Round or half round gutters are the most traditional and common design of gutter. As the name suggests, it is half a cylinder with the open side facing skywards to catch the rain. Its uniform, simple design makes it an efficient and cost-effective choice for properties with standard sized roofs.

Square Gutters

As the name suggests, square or box gutters consist of a three sided rectangular or square shaped channel. Their angular design makes them perfect for more contemporary styled buildings, whilst their slightly deeper channel provides a larger capacity that can handle higher volumes of rain or water run-off.

Ogee Gutters

The term Ogee derives from ‘Old Gothic’, a style of guttering which was most popular in the Victorian era. It is a more decorative design of gutter than its half round or square counterparts and features a curved profile. As they have been designed to replicate gutters used in the 19th century, they are more suited to period buildings, but can be used on modern homes if you’re looking for a more decorative touch.

Deep Guttering

Deep style gutters have a very similar profile to the half round gutter, but with a much deeper channel. This makes them ideal for homes that are in areas of high rainfall, have a particularly steep roof and high levels of water run-off, or buildings with large roof areas.

Ultra Deep Guttering

As the name suggests, an Ultra or Super Deep gutter is the largest gutter available. Its high capacity makes it the perfect choice for use on commercial buildings, hotels, block of flats, or any other structure that has a large roof area.

Hopefully this blog has provided an overview of the different guttering materials and designs available, but if you are still unsure of which guttering is right for you and your home, call our expert team today on 0800 22 77 77 for guidance and help.