The guttering market has vastly expanded over the last few years. As a result, when you choose to repair or replace your gutter system, you're now faced with multiple options, which can be confusing, especially if you haven't done this before.
Considering the critical role guttering will play in preserving your home and saving you repair costs, you need to pay a little attention and ensure you choose the right type of gutters.
You need to have as much information about gutters as possible, know how to choose the right guttering for your house and know when to replace the current guttering.
Introduction to Guttering
Gutters have been around longer than you would think. They trace back to 1500 BC in the Indus Valley civilisation in the Bronze Age. Back then, they had the same concept they have today: to move unwanted water away from the dwelling. However, they were made from burnt clay bricks.
Much later, gutters became part of a rainwater system. Before the gutters, most buildings had an overhanging roof. Storied buildings had the first story hanging over the ground floor to keep rainwater away from the walls and the house's footings. The Romans' introduction of gutters in Great Britain solved these problems.
The invention of the downpipe came much later and was first used in 1240 on the Tower of Land. With it came the ability to collect rainwater on the roofs and put it to good use.
Guttering System Overview
Guttering has numerous components that work together harmoniously, running along the edge of your roof. Although the gutters are the most notable parts of the system, other components make up the system and ensure it works as intended. Below is a breakdown of the different components that comprise the guttering system.
Gutter
This is the guttering system's most common and important part. The gutters collect rainwater from the roof and channel it into the downpipe, where it is taken away from the property.
Gutters have other small parts within them that ensure they get the job done currency like:
- Stop ends - Stop ends cap off the open ends of the guttering. They direct the water to the downpipe. The stop ends come in either external or internal options. The external options are used to cap off the ends of the gutter lengths, and the internal stop ends cap off other components like unions and angles.
- Gutter angles - Gutters need to change direction to conform to the shape of your roof. Gutter angles facilitate that change in direction. They come in various angles to suit the needs of the house. The most common angles are 90 and 135 degrees. We also have adjustable options that can accommodate between 50 to 156 degrees.
- Gutter unions - These connect two gutter lengths. Most houses need more than two gutters to cover the roof's perimeter. Unions help to connect the gutters and ensure they run seamlessly around the house.
- Fascia brackets are also called gutter clips or support brackets. They are fixed to the fascia and used to secure the gutter in place. They also support joints that connect to angles and outlets.
- Gutter outlets - These connect the gutter to the downpipe. They sit slightly lower than the base of the gutter, allowing water to run out easily. There are running outlets that connect two gutter lengths while providing an outlet to a downpipe, and there are stop-end outlets with a built-in stop-end at the point of connecting to the downpipe. Each option is better suited for different types of property designs.
Downpipe
The downpipe is the controlled escape route for the water collected by the gutters. It funnels water safely down the side of the building into a drain, which flows away from the property. Like the gutters, downpipes comprise different parts:
- Offset bend
- Hopper head
- Pipe socket
- Pipe clip
- Pipe branch
- Shoe
Gutter Material Options
As well as aluminium gutters, you have various gutter material options for different budgets and property designs. Each gutter material has its upsides and downsides, which you should consider before settling on the ideal material.
PVC guttering
Pros
- Is inexpensive
- Easy to install
- Easy to repair
- Lightweight
Cons
- Prone to UV damage
- The colours can fade
- It is susceptible to ladder damage during maintenance and cleaning
Pros
- Prolonged lifespan
- Exceptionally strong
- Ideal for Victorian and listed buildings
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy and hard to install
- Requires repainting every five years
- Costly to repair and replace
Steel gutters
Steel gutters come in two variations: stainless steel gutters and galvanised gutters. The former is the higher quality gutter that balances price and durability and has better rust resistance. Galvanised gutters are more affordable but require regular maintenance to ward off rust.