As a property owner in rain-prone New Orleans, ensuring that your roofing materials are durable and suitable for your property is incredibly important. Without them, water may not only damage your roof, but also everything from your attic to your walls and siding. And one of the most important—and often underappreciated—roofing materials? Your gutter system. 

Designed to channel water off of your roof and to designated areas away from your building, gutter systems play a large role in maintaining your property’s structural integrity. But choosing between gutter types and materials can be difficult, especially if gutters have not seemed necessary before now. Thankfully, our team at WestBank Roofing is here to help. With over 50 years of experience maintaining and installing roofing materials of all kinds, we can assist you in finding the gutter system which will best protect your home from most any storm that comes your way.

What is a Gutter System?

Before you choose a gutter for your property, you should first understand what exactly a gutter system is. Gutters rely on a variety of components in order to do their jobs, including:

• Gutters: The main channel in your gutter system, designed to catch water and debris in order to direct them away from your roof and property. 
• Downspouts: Long, enclosed pipes which run down the edges of your property and direct water from your gutters to the ground, away from your building’s walls and foundation. 
• Endcaps: Cover the open ends of gutter channels to prevent water from spilling out the sides.
• Elbows: Angled sections of downspouts which help to direct the flow of water through corners changes in direction. Elbows may take two forms—A-styles, which send the water forwards or backwards, and B-styles, which direct water to the left or right.
• Hangers: Attach gutters to the fascia board—long boards which sit underneath roof overhangs to protect them from moisture—in order to keep them securely in place. 
• Splash blocks: Positioned at the end of your downspout, splash blocks catch water runoff and direct it away from your property’s foundation. 
• Miters: Installed where two gutter channels meet at the corners of your roof in order to join them. 
• Drip edging: While not part of your gutter system, this piece of flashing—or thin metal strips which protect non-shingle areas on your roof from water—is often installed on your roof’s edge. Here, it serves to protect the fascia and direct water into your gutters.

When all of these components—and more—are put together, you end up with a fully functional system perfectly designed for water management. In order to keep it that way, however, regular maintenance is important. Damaged components or gutter clogs can turn this system from a well-oiled machine into a leaking or overflowing network of parts that allows water into your property and foundation.

Choosing a Gutter Type

Sectional

Often sold in 10 to 20 foot lengths, sectional gutters consist of individual segments which are attached to create a complete gutter channel. While they may make replacements easier, as sections can be removed as necessary, they may also be more prone to leakages at their joins.

Seamless

Seamless gutters are long, continuous channels which are custom-made to fit your home perfectly. As their joins are limited to corner miters, chances of gutter leaks are greatly reduced. However, because they are made-to-order they are often more expensive.

Common Gutter Styles and Materials

Gutter Styles

Once you’ve chosen the type of gutter you want, it’s time to consider styles and materials. While a variety of gutter styles exist, three of the most common gutter forms are:

• K-Style: While the flat base and back allows them to sit flush with the fascia board, their front is more decorative. A curved midsection with a flat line at the top and base, K-Style gutter fronts have an appearance similar to crown molding. 
• Half Round: A semicircle-shaped gutter with a protruding lip, their curved, smooth walls provide easy passage for water and make it harder for debris to cause clogs. However, their rounded form often makes them more difficult to install.

Box: Typically found on older homes, as well as larger buildings, box gutters are often attached underneath shingles or built into the structure of a roof. While their size allows them to handle large amounts of water, they can also be difficult to install and maintain.

Gutter Materials

Depending on the shape and style you choose, gutter systems are available in a variety of materials, including aluminum, copper, steel, vinyl and zinc. Each of these materials has their own pros and cons which you will need to consider. Copper and steel, for example, may be some of the most durable options, but they are also heavy and expensive. Vinyl and aluminum, on the other hand, are some of the most budget-friendly choices, though they may not be as long-lasting.

What to Consider When Choosing a Gutter

When choosing a gutter system, it is important to consider factors including:

• Personal aesthetics
• Roof pitch. The steeper your roof is, the wider you may want your gutter to be in order to ensure that water will not simply run over the side of roof and onto the ground.
• Climate. An area with heavy rain or snowfall, for example, will likely need a more durable gutter, such as a steel or copper box gutter. Similarly, an area which experiences high heat or freezing temperatures may be incompatible with vinyl gutters, as they can warp or become brittle in weather extremes.
• Surrounding brush. If you have a number of trees near your property, you may want to consider gutter guards, as they can help to prevent gutter clogs and keep your drainage system working smoothly.

Upgrade Your Gutter System with WestBank Roofing Today

The right gutter system is an invaluable resource for property owners, preventing damage to the roof, walls and foundation of your building. The key word, however, is “right.” While your aesthetics and budget are important considerations when choosing a gutter, a gutter shape or material which does not suit your home or climate may be inefficient and more easily damaged. This is where our team at WestBank Roofing comes in. With the knowledge and tools to provide gutter-related information and advice, as well as expertly perform gutter installations and replacements, both you and your property will be in good hands. Our high-quality seamless gutters and downspouts are both durable and attractive, serving to protect your home without impacting its outward appeal. 

Ready to install a new gutter system or replace your existing one? Click Here a call or send us a message today.