How to Select a Rain Gutter - Rick’s Rain Gutters℠

How to Select Material Types Gutter Covers

How to Select

Good gutters should to be an integral part of a home’s exterior. Old, damaged or defective rain
gutters can cause a lot of damage. When a gutter clogs, the water is not diverted properly and
overflows into either the house or foundation. This can cause wood rot, foundation problems and
landscaping erosion.
In addition to damage to your home, a rain gutter clogged with soggy leaves and debris is the
perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, as well as mosquitoes and other pests. When
considering a new gutter system, a home owner must take several things into account: among
them, price, aesthetics and how the rain gutter needs to perform depending on the area in which
they live.
Does the area have extreme temperatures, heavy snow and rain, or ice storms? Are there a lot of
trees in the vicinity? All these questions need to be taken into consideration when deciding on
what type of rain gutter system to install, and design.
If the primary purpose of gutters is to collect water from the roof and direct it away from the
home where it could cause damage, then the first thing you want to know is whether or not your
gutter system is properly designed. Good systems drain in such a way as to keep water out from
under your foundation while keeping your fascia, siding and paint dry.

Material

There are several different types of material used to make rain gutters. Vinyl is great for do-ityourselfers and can be found at home-improvement centers. The gutters can be installed by the
homeowner because they are simple to cut and configure. The drawback to a vinyl gutter is that
it is susceptible to brittleness with age and extreme cold.
Aluminum, a popular choice, is more prone to denting, but its color weathers well. It is very
adaptable and most often used in seamless rain gutter systems. Aluminum is the most common
product used today. The gutter holds more water than traditional wood gutters, and this is the
product which is generally recommended.
Less frequently used materials include galvanized and stainless steel. Copper is also an attractive
choice, but more expensive than the rest. Copper also requires a more expert installer. Wood is
another material used for rain guttering, most often in restoration projects.

Types

The two main types of rain gutter systems are sectional and seamless. Sectional systems lend
themselves more to do-it-yourself installations due to the high configurability of the parts. They
are made up of either vinyl or aluminum sections that are fastened together.
A drawback of sectional rain gutters is that the joints are prone to developing leaks. Gutter addons, such as screens and filters, help these basic rain gutters stay clog free. A gutter topper is a
covering which allows water to flow along a contoured “lip” which feeds into your rain gutter.
This keeps debris and animals out of your rain gutter. The second type of rain gutter system is
the seamless rain gutter. This is a no-clog system which catches and routes water down and out
while diverting leaves and debris to the ground. This type of rain gutter is quickly becoming a
favorite choice due to its durability, seamless appearance and easy maintenance.

Gutter Covers