We choose the gutter system

Gutters and trigger pipes – what to look for when choosing guttering?

The task of gutters and downpipes is to drain rainwater from the roof slope as far as possible from the facade of the house. In order for the gutter system to fulfill its function, it must be made of durable materials, properly selected and of course properly installed. In addition, it must match the character of the building.

Orinaning is not only gutters and downpipes, they are also other necessary elements, e.g. muffs, elbows, rhinhaki, bottoms, arts or searches. For this reason, it is best to invest in a complete gutter system from one manufacturer (e.g. the Niagara Pruszyński sheet system), then all elements will be matched, it will also be difficult to make mistakes during assembly. When choosing gutters, the most important, however, is the material from which they were made.

Gutters and trigger pipes – from what material?

Very often, investors decide to grate with a steel galvanized sheet, which is additionally protected with protective coatings. Gutters without a coating are already used sporadically, because they are not too durable (about 25 years) and their assembly is complicated – the elements are connected by soldering. Galvanized steel gutters are resistant to mechanical damage, they tolerate both low temperature and strong sunlight. They are also quite easy to fix, because under the influence of impact they do not crack, but only deform. In addition to protection, the coating also has a decorative function, unfortunately you have to be careful not to scratch it during assembly, the branches can also damage it. Damaged coatings are susceptible to corrosion. The durability of steel gutters is estimated for about 50 years. We can also opt for aluminum gutters, protected against corrosion with varnish, polyester or acrylic. Gutters of titanium-cynular sheet metal are another type of gutter. They are quite expensive, but very durable (about 100 years), and they do not require maintenance. They are available in two versions – factory patinated or without patina (then they have a metallic gray color). Copper gutters are also available on the market – the most expensive of all guttering systems, but also the most durable (up to 300 years). They are made of pure copper or with zinc or acrylic coating. They can be patinated or after time they coincide with patina and change the color to greenish. They cannot be used when the roof has been covered with a metal roof tile, as the phenomenon of electrocorrosion may occur. An alternative to metal gutters are PVC gutters (polyvinyl chloride) – relatively often chosen by investors. Their durability is about 40 years. Plastic gutters are colored in mass, so you can’t see scratches on them, and these do not affect the durability of guttering. However, they are quite sensitive to temperature changes (under the influence of high temperature soften, while under the influence of frost they can crumble), susceptible to mechanical damage and sensitive to sunlight (they can even change color). It is worth knowing that the gutters can also be made of wood – they are a perfect complement to a wooden house.

The shape of the gutters

The most popular are gutters with a semi -circular cross -section with a diameter of 10 to 20 cm. This shape ensures free flow of rainwater. Gutters with a diameter of 10 cm are sufficient on small roofs, but the amount of rainfall is also important for their selection. It is assumed that for 1 m2 of a horizontal roof projection you need 0.8-1 cm2 cross-section of the gutter. Importantly, so that the water can flow freely, the gutters must be arranged with a 0.5-2 % drop towards the drain pipe. Gutters with a semi -eliptic cross -section are characterized by greater throttle. They are usually used on large roof slopes. We can also opt for gutters with a trapezoid or rectangular cross -section with a base of 10 or 15 cm. When choosing and purchasing guttering, remember that the cross -section of the drain pipe should not be less than 75 percent of the gutter cross -section.

Colors of gutter

Gutter systems are available in different colors, which is why we can easily choose them for the style of the house. Most often, the gutters harmonize with a shade of roofing or facade. In this way, they are not overly distinguished and create a coherent whole with the building. Gutters in various shades of gray, brown, red, white and green are the standard – because such roofing and facades are popular. However, the color range is much wider, and by choosing steel gutters coated with varnish, we can get virtually every shade.

Gutter system warranty period

Manufacturers of steel glowing usually provide a 30-35-year warranty for their products. In the case of PVC gutters, the warranty period is shorter and amounts to 10 years. Let’s read the warranty conditions carefully. Its recognition is standard dependent on proper assembly, as well as systematic cleaning and maintenance, but there may be different conditions.