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Services
Materials
Aluminum, steel and copper are some of the materials
that gutters and downspouts are made of. Aluminum gutters are the most
common. Primary aluminum is the thickest and most consistent
kind. Avoid secondary aluminum, a recycled product that's
often plagued by inconsistent thickness. Metal gutters are
made in sheet metal shops and require gutter specialists to
install them.
Seamless
Seamless gutters are the most popular type today. The
biggest selling point is that they don’t have any seams
which could potentially leak. The sections join only at
inside and outside corners and at downspout outlets.
Seamless gutters are usually formed from aluminum that has a
baked-on finish, but they may be made from copper or
factory-painted steel. They are made with a special machine
that's brought to your home by a
gutter contractor. These
types of gutters can not be installed by do-it-yourselfers.
Shapes & Sizes: U- and K-Shape
Gutters come in
several sizes and shapes called profiles. The most common
are the U shape and the K shape. The more important choice
is the sizing of the gutters and the downspout. Choices
include 2x3-in or 3x4-in. rectangular shapes, as well as 3-
or 4-in. round pipes. Metal gutters are also available in
different sizes. The most popular is 5" gutter which is
typically paired with 2x3-in. downspout. 4" gutter is more
popular in areas where there is less rainfall. Occasionally
you will see 6" gutter in markets where rainfall is
particularly heavy.
Color
So as to allow
you to match house color or trim, there are more than 25
different colors to choose from when you buy sectional
aluminum and steel gutters. Vinyl gutters usually only come
in brown or white. Copper has a natural color and comes
unfinished.
Click here to view colors
of gutters
Leaf Guards
Consider installing "leaf guards," which are screens that
prevent debris from entering the gutter and direct the flow
of water away from the house and into the ground.
Conductor
Heads
Architectural appeal is
the most common purpose for the use of Conductor Heads, also
known as Collector, Leader, Scupper, Rainwater, and Gutter
(heads or boxes). Although there are a number of
functional purposes
provided with their use.
Click here to view conductor heads.
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