It’s easy to overlook the importance of gutters. Rainwater is a force of nature that’s capable of giving you a lot of trouble, but only if your house lacks defense against it. Even in areas like San Jose where rain is occasional, gutters remain vital.
It’s not just a house accessory — gutters can save you thousands of dollars on repairs.
As a homeowner, it’s important to be well-informed about gutter installation. You want to know what options you have to make the best choice on what kind of gutter you should install.
That said, let’s get right into putting our head in the gutter:
Gutter Shapes: BOX-STYLE, HALF-ROUND, OR K-STYLE?
Generally, there are various shapes for gutters. But these are the most common ones:
BOX-STYLE
This one can be identified by its flat bottom, back, and front. It’s designed to be as minimal and as functional as possible. The angle of the front side can vary from 90 degrees to 45 degrees. More than that, it loses its purpose.
HALF-ROUND
This one is more classical style, popular in older and historical homes. As its name suggests, it’s shaped like a half-circle instead of being flat.
K-STYLE
No, it’s not called K-Style because it’s shaped like one. The K-style’s shape is identified by its flat bottom, flat back, and a decorative front side. The decorative shape can vary but it’s mostly crown molding, like ogees and curves.
| BOX-STYLE | HALF-ROUND | K-STYLE |
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GUTTER MATERIALS: WHAT SHOULD IT BE MADE OF?
| ALUMINUM | COPPER | GALVANIZED STEEL |
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| CAST IRON | ZINC | VINYL / PLASTIC |
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SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS?
As a homeowner, you have a choice to have your gutters installed by sections or constructed in one continuous seamless piece.
DIY gutters are all sectional. They are connected by snap-in-place connectors at each end and to the downspouts. However, sectional gutters will eventually leak at its seams.
All vinyl/plastic gutters are usually sectional. This is because plastic is made with DIY and convenience in mind.
If your material of choice can be seamless, go seamless. It will be more convenient for you in the long run since it will never leak (unless holes develop). However, it can be more expensive since seamless gutters are made on the construction site with a portable gutter machine.
The materials that can be seamless are aluminum, copper, and steel.
NEED HELP IN DECIDING?
For something as important as your own home, you can’t risk making a decision in the dark. It’s always wise to seek for a professional opinion.
We are happy to help homeowners and property management companies if it meant building a strong and safe community. All About Roofing Repair & Installation is a roofing company that combines true craftsmanship with an unmatched level of professionalism and affordability. This is why we have a reputation as one of the best San Jose roofing companies in the area.
If you want to contact us about anything roof and gutter related, click here.
If you want to know more about how to manage rain, click here.
If you want to know more about our gutter services, click here.