Types Of Gutters

While rain gutters are not the most exciting thing to think about when re-roofing a home or commercial building, having new gutters added during a renovation can save you some major headaches later on. There are a number of different types of gutters that can be installed by professionals, each with different advantages and benefits. Your Monmouth County Roofing contractor can recommend just the right gutter system for you and your building.

The most popular type of professionally-installed gutters are seamless gutter systems. These gutters, which are usually made out of aluminum, are measured and cut on-site. This means that the gutters do not have seams throughout their lengths, reducing the chance of leaks. In addition to being a relatively inexpensive option, aluminum gutters don’t rust, which is a major plus if the gutters become blocked with leaves and other foliage debris. If aesthetics are an issue, aluminum gutters come in a wide range of colors that match any style of home.

Many building owners love the look of copper or stainless steel gutters. Although they are far more expensive than aluminum gutters, they can last more than 75 years if they are lead-coated, making them a must-have for those interested in restoring older homes.

Additionally, copper gutters have a natural patina that keeps them protected. While not as commonly used, stainless steel gutters are also sometimes used on buildings, as, like copper, they won’t rust.

Finally, wooden gutters may be a solid option for those looking to restore historical homes and buildings. While wood gutters are rarely used due to their expense and maintenance needs, they can still be a great choice for those who are willing to maintain them on a regular basis. To keep wooden gutters water resistant, they require a coat of linseed oil at least once a year. Painted wooden gutters will also periodically require fresh coats of paint.

The type of gutter that a building owner chooses to use depends upon the budget and the aesthetics of the home. Due to price, the most common gutter installed is the aluminum gutter. Since there is a choice of colors, building owners can save some money and give their buildings more curb appeal using aluminum. However, there are certainly good reasons to choose copper or stainless steel gutters. Not only do copper gutters have an incredibly long lifespan, but they also can increase the value of the building. Like copper gutters, wooden gutters are strong and add curb appeal to the building, though they may also require more maintenance than both copper and aluminum gutters. Have a question regarding new roofs or skylight installation? Ask a roofing professional from Fortified Roofing of Monmouth County NJ.

Term explained by Monmouth County NJ roofing contractor Fortified Roofing:

Patina

A patina is a layer of chemical compounds that forms on the surface of certain metals. On copper, a green patina, known as verdigris, may form when sulfides, sulfates, copper chlorides and carbonates mix together.

Monmouth County NJ roofing contractor Fortified Roofing answers a question:

Why are wooden gutters no longer commonly used?

There are two main reasons why wooden gutters are rarely used. First, they require more maintenance than other types of gutters. Wood gutters require consistent re-painting and oiling with linseed oil. Second, their water-carrying capacity is lower than other types of gutters. This is because the channel that carries the water is often very shallow due to the type of wood used.

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