Gutters and roofs work together to drain water away from the home. Without both, our homes would be a mess. Picture not having a roof over your home in a winter storm or not having a gutter system to drain water away – our homes would be drenched, and our lawns and gardening would be a saturated disaster.
Luckily, no home is without a roof. Some homes have gable roofs, while others have low-slope roofs. There are many different roof styles across America, all made from various materials like asphalt and metal. No matter your roof design or material, it needs to have a proper gutter system to run along it to protect it from drainage issues.
If you’re in the market for a new gutter system and aren’t sure which type is best for your roof, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading as we discuss how to select the right gutter system for your roof to make your decision a little easier.
Decide What’s Best For Your Roof’s Pitch
Do you know your roof’s pitch? Most homeowners don’t, and that’s okay. You most likely have one of two types of roof pitch: low-slope or steep-slope. A low-slope (or pitch) means a roof isn’t very steep, while a steep-slope means the roof is steep. Roofs with a higher pitch drain water much quicker than a low-pitch roof.
Now that you know what a roof pitch is, take a look at your roof. Is it very steep or not really? If your roof is a low-slope, you may not need a gutter system that can drain excess amounts of water away at a rapid pace. Likewise, if you have a steep-slope roof, you’ll need a gutter system that can handle large amounts of water at a fast pace.
The type of gutter system that’ll work best for your roof’s pitch depends on how much water will be drained and how quickly. You won’t want to install a gutter system with smaller-than-average downspouts and gutters if your roof pitch is steep. Some gutter systems on the market don’t allow for large amounts of water to move through the system, jeopardizing the lifespan of your roof and your home’s soffit and fascia, and siding.
Decide What’s Best For Your Roof’s Design
In conjunction with your roof’s pitch, the roof design is another factor in determining which gutter system will work best with your roof. As previously mentioned, there are a few different roof styles across America. Let’s learn more about roof design and how it plays a role in how to select the right gutter system:
Gable Roof
Gable roofs are the most common in America, especially in Central Virginia. A gable roof is easily recognizable because it has two sides that slope and meet in the middle to form a triangle that extends from the roof. Because a gable roof extends from the roof, the pitch is faster than other styles, allowing it to drain more water. Though gable roofs are kept drier than other designs, they can get more damage from weather events like high winds, something that can be common in local cities like Bedford.
Metal Roof
The most durable roofing material, metal roofs can withstand high wind speeds and severe weather. Metal roofs are so durable that their lifespan is almost two times more than other materials like asphalt, making them pricier than most other roofing styles.
Though metal roofs are beautiful and can last for decades, they do not pair well with the average gutter system. The pitch isn’t very high on a metal roof, but that doesn’t affect how fast water flows from the roof. A metal roof lacks friction, therefore large amounts of water flush from the roof at a rapid pace. The average gutter system can’t handle the amount of rain that flows from a metal roof, making the buying process a little trickier than other styles.
Hip Roof
Another roofing style that can be common in homes is a hip roof. They’re easily identified by their triangular designs with angled sides that slope down the walls of the home. They don’t have gables and have a higher slope than a flat roof. Hip roofs are a popular choice for homeowners that live in climates with strong winds and a lot of rain.
A hip roof pairs well with most gutter systems. However, you’ll want to ensure the gutters are placed around the entire roof as opposed to just certain sections of the roof.
Now that we’ve discussed roof pitch and design, do you know which one will pair best with your home? Your home most likely has a gable or hip roof, so a gutter system that can handle large amounts of water to support fast run-off and is durable and made of high-quality material will work best. Home Evolutions VA has seamless gutters and the K-Guard System, which will pair well with any roof.
Our seamless gutters are top-of-the-line, crafted from high-quality aluminum, making them very durable. Our downspouts and gutters are oversized compared to the average gutter system, allowing more water to be flushed through the system at once. Our 5-inch gutters are the perfect choice for nearly all homes in Charlottesville, Lynchburg, and surrounding cities.
If you want a durable gutter system that requires zero maintenance and will last a lifetime, consider installing K-Guard. The K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System works with all roof styles and pitches and is custom-made to complement your home. It has a curved hood that keeps all debris out, only allowing water to adhere to the channel at a rapid pace.
No matter your roof’s style or pitch, we have the perfect solution at Home Evolutions VA! Contact us for a free estimate and assessment of your current gutter system. Home Evolutions VA delivers a 5-star experience and has decades of experience and many happy lifelong customers. We’re located in Lynchburg, Virginia and we cover the surrounding areas.
