Gutter play a big role in protecting your home from water damage and leaks, so it’s important to choose the best style and type. With that in mind, American Roofing and Construction is here to help you choose the right gutter style for your Wichita home by explaining common gutter styles and their benefits. And don’t worry, as an experience Wichita roofing company we’re here to answer any questions you may have along the way.
Gutter Styles Popular in Wichita
K-Style Gutters
Named after their unique K-shape side profile, K-style gutters are the most common for modern homes. Typically, this style comes in 5 to 6 inch widths and has a higher water capacity thanks to its shape. K-style gutters are also significantly easier to install than other gutter types because of their flat back. This lets you nail the gutters directly to the fascia boards, making it easy for DIY-ers.
K-style gutters require a little more attention when it comes to cleaning compared to other types. Their sharp angles and unique shape make removing debris and pests out of corners difficult. Installing gutter guards may be a good idea to prevent debris from collecting while letting water pass.
Half-Round Gutters
Half-round gutters, named after their distinct, u shaped bottom, are often found on older historic homes. Rounded gutters have some unique benefits and are a popular choice for their appearance. For one, this gutter style is easier to clean than any other option because it doesn’t have sharp angles or small corners that would catch debris. On the other hand, half-round gutters have a lower water capacity compared to k-style or box gutters. This is typically balanced out by the smooth continuous surface, allowing for more efficient water flow to help it keep up with heavy rainfall.
It’s important to note that half-round gutters need specialized installation. Since the rounded gutters don’t have flat backs like other options, contractors have to use special brackets and hangers that anchor against the fascia boards. While this does add to the overall cost, it creates greater curb appeal and may even add to your home’s resale value.
Box Gutters
Box gutters are frequently used on industrial and commercial buildings. However, contractors can also install this gutter type on residential homes. Box gutters look like large boxes attached under the roof. Box gutters are often oversized at around eight to ten inches. Their size allows the gutters to hold up to 1 gallon of water per foot, according to Roofing Element Magazine. This makes box gutters an excellent choice for climates with heavy rains. However, what makes box gutters truly different from other options is that they’re built into the roof itself. This makes them less noticeable and adds structural support while moving water away from your home.
Seamless Gutters
Seamless gutters are typically custom made on-site from one continuous piece of material. This means that they’re often more expensive than other options, but the price may be worth it depending on your priorities. The biggest benefit of seamless gutters is that they’re better at preventing leaks since they don’t have seams like sectional gutters. Seamless gutters also require less maintenance than other gutter styles because debris won’t get caught on seams. This also makes them much easier to clean.
Granted, seamless gutters cost more upfront than most styles. However, it’s important to note that they’ll often need less repairs over time, ideally saving you money long-term. Additionally, the smooth, no-joint appearance is valued to a lot of home buyers, adding to your overall curb appeal.
Choosing the Right Gutter Style for Your Wichita Home
While each gutter style may sound appealing for different reasons, it’s important to make the right decision from the start. Consider choosing a style that matches your home’s aesthetic and personal priorities when it comes to functionality. And if you need help choosing the right gutter style for your Wichita home, feel free to ask American Roofing & Construction for help. You can contact us today for a free consultation with our professional installers.