Types of Gutter Guards

A well-functioning gutter system is a property’s essential element that any responsible homeowner should not neglect. It helps protect the roof, foundation, structure, and landscape of a house. It does so by allowing rainwater to flow appropriately through the pipes without causing any damage. You are probably already familiar with how gutters work and why your house needs such protection. However, you might not know that your gutters also require protection. Indeed, it would help if you shield your gutters to prolong your gutters’ life and prevent overflowing, which can damage your property. More clearly, gutters are not only exposed to rainwater. Sometimes, leaves, debris, and even animal nests block the gutter system and prevent efficient water flow. This blockage can cause several problems you need to deal with. For instance, your gutters may start to sag and pull away from the roof, inviting not only water damage but also accident risks. Moreover, the blocked gutters may end up causing mold growth, structural and foundational damage, and leaking or overflowing of rainwater. Hence, the maintenance of a gutter system is a must for many critical reasons.

Although regular gutter cleaning helps you maintain your gutters to prevent any harm, there is another essential you should start considering: purchasing a gutter guard system for your gutters. Basically, gutter guards work as a gutter cover that keeps debris and leaves away from your gutters to ensure efficient water flow through the pipes. With this explained, only one question remains: How should you decide on the right gutter guard type for your gutters?

There are several gutter guard types that match different gutters. However, if you are looking for high-quality gutter guard systems, your options are readily determinable. To put it differently, those who are ready to invest in a high-quality gutter protection system should focus on some specific gutter guard types. Still, this does not mean that your options are limited. Quite the contrary, diverse options fit different gutter types and offer excellent gutter protection. Keep reading to be familiar with some of these favorable gutter guard types listed below to decide which one meets your expectations.  

K-style Gutter Guards

Becoming popular after World War II, K-style gutters are the most common gutter type in the US today. Thanks to this popularity, they can be found in various materials, including aluminum, vinyl, steel, copper, etc. This type is one of the most attractive for homeowners because of its durability, easy installation, and availability.

Providing a seamless finish, K-style gutters are less prone to leaks, which means they are resistant to water damage. Moreover, the gutter hangers are screwed directly to the fascia board thanks to the flat back, making the installation easier. Although its flat shape makes K-style durable and easy to install, there is a downside caused by the edged structure: K-style gutters are not easy to clean because debris can get stuck in the corners. Relationally, this type is more prone to corrosion. Hence, you should use your K-style gutters with suitable gutter guards to eliminate the risks of blockage and corrosion.

Since K-style gutters are the most preferred among the homeowners, they are produced to fit different buildings. In this sense, there are K-style gutters in various sizes, but the most common ones are 5" K-style, 6" K-style, and 7" K-style gutters. Therefore, the right size of the gutter guard should be determined accordingly. You do not have to worry about blockage, corrosion, or overflowing with an appropriately picked gutter guard for your K-style gutter system.

Half-Round Gutter Guards

Resembling half-cut tubes, half-round gutters have simple and clean lines. The unique appeal of this type makes it a great choice, especially for historic buildings. These semi-circular gutters perfectly complement the upscale look of traditionally designed houses.

Other than the aesthetic beauty, half-round gutter guards also have a technical advantage that makes them preferable: thanks to their smooth structure, rainwater can freely flow through the pipes. This also lessens the risk of corrosion. Besides, since they do not have any edges because of their rounded shape, there are fewer places where dirt can collect, making them resistant to blockage. However, this type still requires appropriate protection, that is, half-round gutter guards. These guards are manufactured compatible with half-round gutters of different sizes.

You can ensure the maintenance of your gutters by installing half-round gutters over them because this way, you will keep leaves and debris away from your gutters. Hence, you will protect your gutter system as well as your property from related water damage.

In light of these, if you think half-round gutters are a perfect complement to your property, do not neglect to have half-round gutter guards along with them.

Box Gutter Guards 

Box gutters were built into flat-roofed buildings in the 18th and 19th centuries. Although they are not as popular as they were once, they are still preferable for specific purposes. For instance, box gutter guards have a larger water capacity compared with the K-style. Box gutter’s larger troughs make them preferable, especially for commercial buildings and residences. Since they have a broad and deep structure, they may not be the first option for those who also give importance to the aesthetic appeal. However, it is also possible to purchase box gutters in smaller sizes. As they are primarily produced for utilitarian purposes, box gutters are really good at their job. In this sense, if you live in a place where rainy weather is usually expected, you should consider having box gutters to protect your property from water damage. This is because they are capable of handling large amounts of roof runoffs.

Moreover, these sturdy gutters are also easy to clean compared with K-style gutters because they do not have hard-to-clean edges. Still, the most efficient way of maintaining your box gutters is to use them with appropriate gutter guards. This way, you will be able to reduce the amount of regular gutter cleaning and also protect your gutter system from blockage, corrosion, and any other water damage.

In conclusion, no matter which type of gutter system you prefer for your home, you should complement it with fitted gutter guards primarily for two reasons: first, to protect your property from water damage, and second, to maintain your gutters in their best shape for a long time. If you think you need help while investigating the best-fitted gutter protection system, do not hesitate to contact us for more information. Also, you may take a look at the following blog posts to learn more about gutters and gutter guards:

What You Should Pay Attention to When Installing Gutter Protection Systems

How to Clean Your Gutters in 4 Easy Steps

Best Gutter Guard Materials for Your Home