The gutters play a significant role in protecting your home’s exterior from weather damage and moisture infiltration. When they become broken or damaged beyond reasonable repair, they have to be replaced. But where do you start? Some things to consider when you have to replace the gutters are size, the configuration of the roof, and the gutter profile.
Same or Different?
When homeowners have to replace the gutters, they often choose the same type of gutter system as the previous one. The old gutters suited the architectural style of the house and complemented the other elements of the home’s exterior. So why not go with what you already had before?
When you have to replace the gutters and you live in a strata community or you own a heritage home, for instance, sticking with the same type of gutter system makes sense.
On the other hand, there are good reasons for choosing different gutters from what you had before. What worked in the past, for example, might not still be relevant due to changes in microclimate – now that the trees on your property have grown taller over the years, perhaps a new gutter system that included leaf protection would be a better choice than gutters without gutter guards.
The old gutter system might need to be upgraded. If the gutters or the downpipes or both were not adequate enough to handle the amount of rainfall in your area, getting new gutters is an ideal opportunity to add more downspouts, install a larger-sized gutter system, and select an eco-friendly gutter material.
Updating the look of your home’s exterior is another popular reason for choosing a different gutter profile, colour, or material.
Full or Partial?
You might think that when you need new gutters, you need to install a whole new system. But if you are replacing the gutters because of severe damage to only one specific area, it might actually be more cost-effective to replace just the damaged gutter sections. Taking the size of your home, the configuration of the roof, and the extent of the damage to the gutters, decide which would serve you and your home better – a full or partial gutter replacement.
5-Inch or Super 5-inch?
Living in the lower mainland, installing gutters on your home’s exterior that can handle large volumes of water is vital in effectively protecting a house from water damage. Five-inch gutters combined with 2 x 3-inch rectangular or 2-inch round downpipes is a standard gutter system suitable for many Vancouver homes. Super 5-inch gutters with a wider base provide more comprehensive and reliable year-round protection for larger houses or houses with steep roofs.
Low or Steep?
When replacing the old gutter system, to gutter size correctly, take into account the region’s annual rainfall, the number of rooflines, and whether or not the roof has a low or steep pitch. Because steep pitch roofs drain water faster than low slope ones, when replacing the gutters, upgrading to a larger gutter system might increase the lifespan of your roof.
K-Style or Half-Round?
Many homeowners don’t realize the significant role gutters play in a home’s curb appeal. The gutter profile or shape can subtly improve the style and character of your home. The classic lines of a k-style gutter profile (it resembles crown molding) makes it the number one choice for gutters being installed on houses in North America. Take the opportunity when replacing your current gutter system to explore the other popular gutter profile, the half-round. It has an old-world feel and when paired with copper gutters is the first choice for high-end gutter installations.
