Gutters and Downspouts Types Installation and Cost

If you want to protect your roof from rainwater damage, the best option available is gutters and downspouts. It ensures your home’s roof, shingles, soffits, fascia, and foundations stay dry. This guide explains everything about gutters and downspouts, their types, materials, sizes, how to install them, and the cost of installing them.

What Are Gutters and Downspouts?

Gutters and downspouts are a type of drainage system designed to prevent flooding or moisture problems caused by aggregated rainwater. Gutters and downspouts distribute water collected from the roof away from the home and provide protection to protect your basement, crawl space, foundation, or slab from flooding. Gutter and downspouts are both separate drainage systems but work together to protect the home from rainwater.

Gutters, also known as rain gutters or eavestroughs, are horizontal pipes that run along the edge of your roof where the roof slopes downward. Gutters collect rainwater from your roof and direct it to a downspout. During rain, water flows down the roof slopes into the gutters. As the water pools, it flows through the sewer system to the downspout.

A downspout is a vertical pipe that runs vertically along the side of the house. Its main purpose is to allow water from the drain to reach the ground without dripping or splashing into the building structure. A downspout drain channel has an opening at the top, which is connected to the drain at the top. The other end usually extends to ground level, although it may be routed at an angle to avoid architectural features and may discharge to the intermediate roof.

Types of Gutters 

Although gutters are a relatively simple structure, they come in a variety of types and materials, which help give your home an attractive look while giving gutters durability. Below are the types of gutter and downspout which will help you choose the right gutter downspout for your home.

K-Style Gutters

K-style gutters are the most common gutter, with a flat bottom with curved edges similar to crown molding. It is DIY-friendly and easy to install. The seamless design of K-style gutters allows them to blend in with the roof of a home or building. Additionally, decorative looks like crown molding make them a popular choice for many homeowners. They come in standard 5-inch to 6-inch widths and often feature rectangular downspouts.

Half Round Gutters

As the name suggests, a half-round gutter is semicircular in shape with a curved lip. They work better for round downspouts because of the semi-circular design. They are known to be more rustic as they are usually made from copper. However, they are also available in aluminum, vinyl, or galvanized steel. Available in 5″ and 6″ sizes as is the K-type style.

Half-round gutters were popular in historic or older-style homes, and because they have a more traditional look, they look good on historic and brick homes. If your house is historic or your neighborhood has this type of gutter, you can choose this type of gutter for the beautiful look of your home.

Box-Style Gutters

Box-style gutters are oversized and designed to handle large volumes of rainwater. Its use is common in commercial and industrial buildings, although it is also used in residential homes to create an industrial aesthetic. It makes an ideal choice for homes with large roofs. They usually come in 7-inch and 8-inch widths, but some are as wide as 10 inches.

Box gutters are not hung over the roof’s edge like traditional gutters. They have a high back part that rests on the roof below the stairwell. Therefore, they need to be installed when the building is being constructed.

Gutters and Downspouts Materials

Gutters and downspouts are all made from the same type of material. This material ensures the durability and longevity of your gutters and downspouts. K-style and half-round are available in any material, such as aluminum, copper, vinyl, and galvanized steel. While the box style is only available in aluminum or copper. Below is information on popular and common materials used for gutters and downspouts.

Aluminum Gutters and Downspouts

Aluminum gutter downspouts are lightweight and rust-resistant and come in a wide range of colors. It is also a good choice for DIY installation. Aluminum is the most popular choice for homeowners in most modern homes today. Overall, aluminum gutter systems have an average lifespan of 20 years, While their downspouts last for 30 years. Aluminum gutter downspouts cost an average of $6 – $12 per foot.

Steel Gutters and Downspouts

Galvanized steel gutters are more durable and stronger than aluminum gutters, but they require professional installation. They also perform well in heavy rains and wet environments. Steel gutter downspouts have an average lifespan of 20 to 30 years but can rust if not properly maintained. The average cost of steel gutter downspouts is $9 – $20 per foot.

Copper Gutters and Downspouts

Copper gutters and downspouts give your home a unique look with beautiful shine and traditional style. It is very durable and has an average life span of about 50 years or more. Copper gutters are a great choice for homeowners with older homes or those looking to add a rustic look to the property. However, copper gutters are the most expensive option and require professional installation. Copper gutter downspouts cost $25 – $35 per foot.

Zinc Gutter and Downspouts

Pre-weathered zinc gutters are great if you want one of the lowest-maintenance gutter options. This gutter does not rust and creates a self-healing patina that prevents debris from falling into scratches or cracks. In addition, it has a lifespan of 80 years or more, guaranteeing you a good-looking gutter for a long time. Zinc gutters cost $20 – $30 a foot but are cost-effective over the long term due to low maintenance.

Vinyl Gutters and Downspouts

Vinyl gutters are the most common type of gutter downspouts made from PVC. They are less expensive and easier to install, making them the most preferred drain for DIY. They are not very durable, and their average lifespan is only 10 to 20 years. Also, it deteriorates rapidly in environments where extreme temperatures are experienced, or there is a lot of rain or snow. Vinyl gutters cost $3 – $6 per foot.

Related Post : Types of Drainage Systems for Residential

Gutter Downspout Sizes

Gutter downspouts are usually K-style, round-shaped, or even box-style. The sizes of gutters used in most homes are 5 inches and 6 inches. However, the larger sizes, 7 and 8 inches are more suitable for large buildings or commercial properties.

When it comes to downspouts, they run in 2″x3″ and 3″x4″ sizes, or 3 or 4 inches in diameter, in most homes. For example, a 5-inch K-style gutter uses a 2″ x 3″ downspout, while a 6-inch K-style gutter requires a 3″ x 4″ downspout. Gutter professionals have experience matching gutters and downspouts; you can also consult them to choose the right size.

Gutter and Downspout Installation

Properly installed gutters and downspouts are essential to protecting your home’s roof and foundation from damage from heavy rain or snowmelt and keeping it dry. To ensure gutters drain properly, make sure they slope downward (½ inch every 10 feet).

For a gutter runs longer than 40 feet, it is best to taper the gutter down the middle at each end. Or you can slope the gutters downward from each end to a single downspout placed in the middle of the run.

Depending on the style of gutters and downspouts you choose, they must be installed. As such K-style gutters can be screwed or screwed into the fascia; the Screwed connection is stronger. While the semi-circular gutter rests on brackets screwed into the flange.

The downspout is installed by fitting over the drop outlet on the gutter and supported by screws on the house wall. Elbows in downspouts are where clogs are most likely to occur, so be sure to install downspouts with minimal elbows.

If you need to drain a surface downspout, make sure it drains at least 10 feet away from the house. Second, the water can be collected in a tank and used for irrigation or other purposes.

Cost to Install Gutters and Downspouts

Install gutters will cost you $4 to $35 per linear foot. You may need about 200 linear feet for typical houses, so the estimated average cost is between $800 and $7,000. The national average for a one-story home is about $2,300, but the cost can vary depending on the materials you use for the gutter. Downspout materials are $3 to $30 per linear foot and $30 to $50 per downspout installation.

For example, Vinyl gutters cost $800 to $1,200, while high-end copper gutters cost $3,000 to $7,000. For other materials, aluminum gutters cost $1200 to $2400, steel gutters cost $1800 to $4000, and zinc gutters cost $2500 to $6000. Larger homes cost more because they require more linear feet of gutter. You will also need to consider labor costs if you hire a professional installer.

If you are going to install gutter downspouts, factors such as the size of your home, gutter material, gutter style, how many downspouts you are installing, etc., affect your total project cost.

Related Post : Types of Yard Drains and Their Function

---

---

If You Liked This Post? So Share It with Your Friends

Suggested Articles: 

• Different Types of Surface Drainage Systems
• Surface Drainage Installation And Design
• French Drain Installation : Related All Information
• French Drain Clog: How to Clean and Maintain