Gutters 101: A Comprehensive Overview of Their Importance and Function

Gutters are often overlooked by many homeowners. However, their role is key in the protection of your home, helping to keep water away from walls and foundations and preventing serious water damage. Many of us do not notice our gutters until something goes wrong. This blog will look at the function of gutters, the different types of gutters available, and why they are so important.
What are Gutters?
Gutters are an essential element of your rainwater system. They run along the roofline to collect water which runs off the roof. It then channels this water down the downpipes and away from your home.
Why Are Gutters Important?
Gutters are an integral part of your homes rainwater system. Without them water would run directly from the roof, down the walls, and into the ground directly outside your home. Over time, this water will not only cause unsightly stains on the walls, but also wear away bricks and dislodge mortar, allowing it to seep inside. Even more serious is the damage this constant flow of water can do on the foundations of your home.
How Does Guttering Work?
As mentioned above, gutters work to channel water from the roof, through the downpipe, and away from the walls and foundations of your home.
What are the Different Types of Guttering?
Guttering is available in a variety of different shapes, materials, colours and volumes, which allows you to choose the guttering that is best suited to your home and location.
Guttering materials
PVC
PVC is the most common type of guttering. It is perfect if you are looking for a low- cost but reliable guttering system. It 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 replace if it becomes damaged. PVC guttering is available in a wide range of designs and colours, so you are sure to find a PVC gutter that blends beautifully with your home.
Metal
Metal is another popular choice of guttering and there is a wide range of different types of metal to choose from, including:
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Cast iron
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Aluminium
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Copper
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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.
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 and features a curved profile. As they have been designed to replicate gutters used in the 19th century, they are perfectly suited to period buildings.
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.
Discover Our Gutter Range Today
For further information and a no obligation chat about which guttering is right for you, call our knowledgeable team today on 0800 22 77 77.