3 Things to Discuss With a Gutter Specialist Before Buying New Gutters

You have a lot of decisions to make when you get new gutters. A gutter specialist can guide you in choosing the most appropriate gutters for your home that fit your budget. However, you can choose the style and color you like best. Here are some things to discuss with your gutter specialist.

1. The Size of Your Gutters

Gutters come in different widths. The size you need is based on the size of your roof and the rainfall in your area. Local codes may require a minimum size, but your gutter specialist can calculate the right width for your roof to make sure the troughs and downspouts can handle heavy rains.

The specialist also determines how many downspouts you need based on the length of the troughs, and where the downspouts need to be installed.

2. The Shape and Material for the Gutters

Gutters come in different shapes. K-style gutters are commonly used today, while half-round gutters were common in the past. If you have an older home, half-round gutters might be more appropriate.

Certain gutter materials may be more appropriate for an older home too. If you have a historic home, you might want copper gutters rather than vinyl. If you have a fairly new home, you might choose vinyl, aluminum, steel, or copper depending on the look you like and the amount of maintenance you want to do.

Plus, your climate plays a role in choosing the best gutters. If you live where strong storms are common, you may want heavy metal gutters so they don't get twisted off in the wind. A gutter specialist can help you match your new gutters to your local climate and the age of your house.

3. The Downspout Setup

The downspout is an important part of the gutter system because it directs rain away from your house. Downspouts come in different sizes, and the larger the downspout, the faster it can drain the rain.

While a decorative option such as a rain chain might be possible, you'll want to discuss the pros and cons with your gutter specialist first. The most important aspect of a downspout is that it keeps water away from the foundation of your house.

A downspout can empty on a concrete splash block that channels water away or you might need an extension on the downspout to make sure water is released far from your house. You may even want to talk to companies like Art's Custom Seamless Gutters  Inc about having your downspout empty in a buried drain to ensure the water is far from your home before it is released.

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