What style of guttering do I need?
August 28, 2019The right guttering style for your home will depend on these main factors:
- The size of your roof – the larger your roof, the more water your gutters will need to divert when it is raining. This is important for preventing your property from experiencing structural damage.
- The amount of rainfall in your area – following on from the last point, if you experience heavy rainfall, you’ll need higher capacity gutters to deal with it.
- Your property’s appearance and that of neighbouring properties – your gutters are an important part of your property’s façade so it’s important that they suit your property’s style.
- Terraced or attached properties – If you live in a terraced home, for example, you might also want to match your guttering to that of your neighbours to prevent your home from standing out. Plus, if you would like a different style gutter from your neighbours, it may be that the connectors to join the two styles together have to be specially fabricated. However, all of this can be discussed at survey.
- Conservation Areas and Listed Properties – there may be restrictions in place on your property and you would need to liaise with your local authority to determine what, if any, stipulations there are.
We’ve looked into the different styles of guttering that are available to you so you can decide which best suits your needs in relation to the factors outlined above.
Ogee guttering
As you can see in the picture, Ogee guttering has an S-shaped curved front and a flat bottom. As a decorative type of gutter, it can suit all types of properties, from traditional to modern homes. Ogee gutters also work very well on larger roofs because they’re able to divert high volumes of water. For this reason, they’re often used on detached properties or larger premises.
Half round gutters
This style of guttering takes on a half-circle round shape, hence the name. It’s also extremely popular. If you live in a terraced or semi-detached home, chances are your current gutters are half round in style.
Deep flow guttering
Deep flow gutters have a similar appearance to half round gutters, although they are much deeper. For this reason, they have a higher water capacity, so they are often fitted to detached homes and other properties with larger roofs.
Cast iron effect gutters
Cast iron effect gutters are the perfect choice for any period properties. Despite looking just as good as real cast iron gutters, they’re built from low maintenance uPVC. Unlike the real thing, they will not rust over time. They’re available in half-round, deep flow and Ogee styles so you can choose the option which best suits your flow/visual requirements.
Square guttering
Square gutters have a bevelled appearance and they have a slightly higher capacity than half round gutters, making them suitable for larger roofing areas. They also have a flat bottom like Ogee gutters, giving them a smart, modern look. They’re commonly used on modern homes and conservatories along with new build properties.
Seamless aluminium gutters
Seamless aluminium guttering is extruded on-site in lengths of up to 30metres and it comes in an Ogee style. This means it can channel large amounts of rainfall away from the roof. Thanks to high-quality, 100% recyclable aluminium, these gutters are also expected to last for more than 30 years with virtually no upkeep. This means they’re an excellent choice for anyone looking for an ultra-durable guttering solution.
Joining different types of guttering together
There are times when different styles of gutter are often joined together, and these include:
- When replacing the gutters on a semi-detached or terraced property
- If only part of the gutter system is being replaced
This is because the new gutters will have to be attached to an older system. In such cases, the new gutters are generally specified in the same colour as the old system. This ensures they blend in as seamlessly as possible.
What type of guttering do I need if I live by the coast?
We recommend using seamless aluminium gutters if you live by the coast, because they are the most durable. Gutters deteriorate quicker in coastal environments than inland ones because of the salty sea air and higher wind levels. So, the more durable your gutters are, the better.
What guttering colour is best for my home?
White guttering is the most common in the UK, although Black and Brown guttering have become more popular in recent years. However, if you’re looking for a modern look, Anthracite or Grey gutters are both good options. Many also choose to co-ordinate the colour of their gutters with that of their fascias and soffits. But, you can mix and match (like in the example above).
We offer expert replacement & installation of our premium guttering & downpipe products. Get in touch with the team here at Roofline Solutions and arrange for us to fit them to your home. We’re available to call on 01252 852 336 or we can be contacted online.
Related to this post:
How are gutter and fascia lengths joined together?
