Do I Need Gutters Around the Whole House?

14 Oct

Rain gutters are a vital part of the drainage system of a home. They are attached just under the roof and are designed to catch rainwater as it runs off the roof. A gutter system also includes a downpipe, or downspout, through which the water is directed downwards and away from the home, usually into a drain.

For some people, gutters are simply a part of the home and so they don’t think about them one way or the other. For others, these are something that they wished they never had. This is often because they have bought an older home with a gutter system that they find unattractive. While some people will think about completely changing their drainage gutter system, others want to know if they even need guttering around the entire home. If they don’t, then maybe they can have the gutters around the back where they are less visible.

Can You Just Have Gutters Along One Part of the Roof?

Whether or not gutters are required around the whole house really depends on the design of the home. A roof will typically have a slope of some sort, and even flat roof homes have roofs that slope slightly. This is for the purpose of draining water away and preventing it from pooling on the roof. As you might imagine then, wherever there is a slope then a gutter should be installed to catch the rainwater.

The experts at Global Gutter Systems say that if your roof is designed with a slight pitch on one side only, (such as for flat-roof houses), you can have guttering on that side only. If you have a roof that slopes on two sides (at a point at the top), you will need guttering to run along the side of each slope to catch the rainwater as it runs off the slope.

What if You Don’t Like Your Current Gutters?

If your question about guttering around the entire house is related to the fact that you don’t like the aesthetics of your current gutters, you do have the option to replace them. For a professional finish, it is recommended to hire a company to do it, but you can replace guttering yourself if you are looking to save money.

There are plenty of options when it comes to guttering material these days with aluminum, vinyl, and metal gutters the more common choices. Although wood guttering was once a fairly common choice, most people stay away from it now because wood gutters require regular maintenance and are prone to cracking and splitting, especially in areas with high annual rainfall.

If you are thinking of installing guttering yourself, vinyl is the most obvious choice as it is both affordable and light. It is easier to cut than other materials and the easiest by far to install.

If you are getting a professional contractor to install the rain gutter system, then you will need to discuss the various types on offer. Aluminum gutters are commonly chosen because they are strong and durable as well as being low maintenance. They are particularly advantageous for homes in areas prone to adverse weather conditions such as heavy snow or torrential downpours.

For appearance, copper and steel have the edge. They are not only strong and expected to last for decades, but they also have a beautiful appearance that can add to the aesthetics of a home. You can even choose to have steel gutters painted in a shade to blend in with the rest of the house. However, they are by far the most expensive option.