Every home has eavestroughs – or at least they should. Eavestroughs play a critical role in the health and safety of your home. As such, they need to be well taken care of and of good quality.
But not all eavestroughs are created equal. The eavestroughs you choose for your home should not only be capable of doing what they’re designed to do, but they should also go with your home’s architecture.
Luckily, there are several different styles of eavestroughs available, giving you plenty to choose from. Here are a few different eavestrough styles for you to peruse for your home.
Eavestrough Shapes
Let’s start with the different shapes of eavestroughs out there. Basically, there are two shapes, each of which come in 5- or 6-inch widths on average.
K-Shape eavestroughs – These eavestroughs come with flat backs and bottoms. The front typically features a curved shape that somewhat mimics crown molding.
Half-round eavestroughs – As their name suggests, half-round eavestroughs feature half-round tubes and are usually found on older homes.
Generally speaking, K-style gutters have double the capacity of half-round eavestroughs of the same width. That said, they’re also double the price per linear foot.
Types of Materials Used For Eavestroughs
Not only are there different shapes of eavestroughs, they can also be constructed from different materials, including the following.
- Aluminum. This is the most commonly used material and is easy to install thanks to its lightweight characteristic. Many homeowners like the fact that aluminum won’t rust, which is another reason for its popularity. It can be painted any color to match the home, and also comes in various colors ready to be installed.
- Steel. This material is much stronger than aluminum, but it’s also heavier and can rust over time. It’s also heavy, making it difficult to install. Steel eavestroughs also come in a variety of materials and can also be painted.
- Vinyl. This is also a popular option because it’s lightweight and affordable. However, there usually aren’t many colors to choose from in vinyl, and the material is also susceptible to cracking in cold weather and fading from UV rays.
- Copper. This material has become increasingly popular among homeowners because of its aesthetic beauty. Copper adds a richness to a home’s exterior and will never rust. It also doesn’t require any painting because its natural color is already beautiful and goes with just about any exterior. The only issue is that it’s much more expensive than the above-mentioned materials.
- Zinc. This material is also durable and will never rust, much like copper. Zinc also does not need to be painted. Instead, it develops its own unique color over time. Zinc eavestroughs will need to be installed by professionals because the joints have to be welded in place.
Downspouts
The downspouts make up an important part of your eavestrough system. It’s this part of the system that directs rainwater and melted snow away from your home to prevent any potential water damage.
Downspouts come as either square, round, or rectangular shapes, though the latter tends to be the most popular among homeowners. Standard widths include anywhere from 3 to 6 inches. Homeowners may also find decorative shapes as well, such as spirals, for a more elaborate look.
Depending on the size of your home and the extent of your eavestrough system, the number and size of downspouts that you require will vary. Generally speaking, however, you’ll need one downspout for every 30 to 40 linear feet of eavestrough.
Call the Experts in Eavestrough Installation and Repair
If your home is in need of a new eavestrough system installation or your current system is in need of repair, call the pros at Tip Top Trough today. Our team will ensure your eavestrough system is of