Local weather
Choosing the right guttering material is important, but you should also take your local weather into consideration. In the UK, the most popular gutters are made from uPVC as it is a cheaper and more lightweight option. Plastic guttering also comes in a range of colours and can be purchased down at your local B&Q.
Its purchase convenience makes it a popular choice for UK homeowners. However, if you live in an area with high wind speeds or high rainfall, like Scotland, you may want to consider a more robust material such as cast iron or aluminium gutters.
Cast iron gutters will last for around 50 years and can withstand harsh weather conditions. Plastic guttering, on the other hand, is likely to fade or crack under these conditions.
UK property with black steel gutters installed.
Material Used
Each material has a different lifespan and can affect the appearance of your roof. For example, aluminium gutters last from 10 to 20 years. Cast iron gutters are heavier and more durable, but will need to be repainted every few years.
Steel gutters are also heavy-duty but rust quickly if they aren't painted or treated with a protective coating. If you are unsure of what material to use for your project, drop us an email with your requirements: info@tradewarehouse.co.uk and our experienced technical team can assist you.
Size of gutters
One thing to be mindful of when you're assessing gutters is the size. This will depend on the type of roof you have and where you will be placing the gutters. Steel gutters come in 100mm, 125mm and 150mm and 2m or 3m lengths.
If you live in an area with a lot of rainfall, like the north of England or the Scottish Highlands, you will likely need a deeper profile than someone who lives in a dryer region. Here at Gutter Warehouse, we supply deep run guttering in aluminium, cast iron and steel.
Additionally, if your roof is sloping, you'll need to consider how this will affect the size of the guttering. You want a big enough gutter to be able to handle a lot of water without overflowing or leaking into other areas.
Textured black half round aluminium guttering
Cost of gutters
The cost of gutters is one of the most important factors to consider when installing new guttering. Gutters can be very expensive and you can spend a lot of money on them, but as long as they're installed properly, they will do their job and keep your property safe from water damage.
We advise choosing a rainwater system that will last long, but also look good on your property. If you go for the cheap option, like uPVC, it's great in the short term, but you may find yourself back at B&Q in a few years. Metal gutters are virtually maintenance-free and, although more expensive, look beautiful.
Aesthetics
As mentioned above, aesthetics are also extremely important - when shopping you want to choose gutters that match your property. The first thing you should do is take a look at the colour scheme of your property to see what would best suit it. Do you have a contemporary facade or any specific colours that stand out?
Neutral colours like silver keep the property looking modern an up to date. Aluminium is one of the most popular choices for gutters because it looks great on more traditional properties. It also doesn't require any additional paint or protection and the joints between gutter lengths are seamless, making cleaning is easy.
Cast iron is heavier than aluminium but is great for use on heritage properties.
Cast iron will last longer than aluminium but needs more care when cleaning. Steel is another popular choice for guttering because it's eco-friendly and can be painted to suit your property.
Our Zambelli steel has a protective coating to protect against oxidation and rust. Also, consider matching your rainwater system with one of our aesthetic water butts. They are eco-freindly and are shipped FREE of charge!
Dutch barn in the UK using metal guttering
Shape and Design
Gutters are most often purchased in the half-round profile, although rectangular guttering has grown in popularity in recent years - especially on commercial properties. The installation process can vary depending on the metal gutters that you choose, but for the most part, they can be installed by a competent DIYer. You can choose from different designs to find the one that is best suited for your needs. For example, some have a more traditional look, while others come with a more contemporary design. The benefits of aluminium gutters include their lightweight and corrosion resistance. Cast iron gutters are durable and rust-resistant, however, they corrode over time due to their high metal content. Steel gutters have a robust construction and durability which makes them a popular choice among homeowners.
Colour
The colour of gutters is an important thing to consider when choosing new gutters. Think about the colour of your roofing material and make sure that the new guttering will match.
You want to make sure that they are compatible with the surrounding environment, as mentioned above. If you have a white house with black gutters, for example, this combination could end up looking odd because the contrast between light and dark looks out of place.
To avoid this, try to find a gutter that has neutral tones or colours that are similar to your house's original colour.
Maintenance and Installation
Guttering is a long-term investment for many homeowners. It's important to maintain and install your gutters properly to ensure their longevity and protection from leaks.
You can find most cleaning guides online, or you can invest in a gutter guard, available on our website. However, there are certain obstacles that could make this process difficult, such as the roof's angle, the ground slope, the height of the house or how close it is to other houses.
Generally, steel gutters are very easy to install. The installer will need to take these things into consideration before installing the gutters.
Conclusion
Choosing the right gutters is a complicated and important decision. The type of material, size and budget play a major role in your choice. In this blog, we touched on a number of key things you should take into consideration when shopping. We think the most important thing to consider when buying is the actual material. It's worth it to spend money on high-quality gutter systems that last for years!