Every home should have gutters on the roof for one main reason: redirecting rainwater away from the walls and foundation of your home. Without gutters, rainwater would find its way into the wooden roof parts, such as fascia boards, which could begin to rot. It could also destroy your house foundation over time. Read on to learn more about the common materials that can be used for gutters and the benefits of each over the others.
1. Aluminium
Aluminium gutters are the most common choice in residential and commercial buildings, and with good reason. They are able to hold more water than other materials, and they are resistant to rust and corrosion. They offer considerable durability and are inexpensive to install, since they are lightweight compared with steel, for instance, which requires soldering at the joint. In addition, these gutters can be easily repainted to suit any colour you want. Finally, aluminium is easily malleable to fit any shape you need, unlike steel or copper, and it is ideal when you need oddly shaped gutters.
2. Copper
Copper has its biggest upside in the vintage finish it gives your home's exterior, so it's ideal if that's what you're going for. With time, copper gutters will fade into a rustic green that adds even more character to your external aesthetics. It is heavier and hence more durable than aluminium, but it is also more expensive. Copper gutters will remain sturdy even in extreme heat or cold, which can weaken cheaper materials like vinyl. They are also maintenance-free, apart from the cleaning that should be done on any other gutter system. Copper gutters also allow for installation of protective coverings to prevent accumulation of leaves and debris.
3. Galvanised steel
Galvanised steel gutters, although less popular now, are still a good choice because of their durability, which is their main selling point. The galvanisation not only protects the material from rusting, it also adds to the durability. In addition, unlike vinyl or copper, which can dent easily, steel is hard to damage and is also resistant to elemental damage. Therefore, you can expect it to hold its shape throughout its lifetime once properly installed.
Galvanised steel isn't very costly (more than aluminium but less than copper), and these savings become more significant considering these gutters can stay in place for decades. They are commonly used in industrial buildings where additional strength is required but are also ideal for small-scale commercial and residential buildings.
Contact a roofing professional in your are to learn more about gutters.
Yo! My name is Jay. When you think about the subject of roofing, you may not think that it is very interesting. However, once you get into this subject, you will soon discover that it is very fascinating. I used to think that roofing a boring subject. However, all of that changed when I moved into a new property in Perth. The roof needed replacing so I called in a contractor. The contractor explained the many different options I had for replacing the roof and I started to do a bit of research. I was amazed at the choice on offer. I am very happy with my new roof. I wanted to start a blog to share my newfound passion.