Types Of Gutter Styles

This post is all about the various types of gutter styles and what to choose for your new gutter system. 

Let’s start with shapes. There are two basic types, and they’re referred to by the shape of their cross section. Both types come in 5- and 6-inch widths.

#1 K Style Gutter System

The K Style are probably the most popular gutters in the market today.  In General K-style gutters have twice the capacity of their half-round cousins of the same width.

# 2 Half Round Gutters

Half-round gutters are exactly what the name suggests: half-round tubes. Half-round gutters often are found on older, historic homes.

Gutter MaterialsResidential gutters are made from various metals, including:
Aluminum

• Most widely used material
• Lightweight and easy to install for DIYers
• Won’t rust
• .032- or .027-gauge thickness recommended for long-lasting duty in regions with snow
• Comes in various colors and can be painted. 

Cost of materials if you DIY: $2 to 3 per linear foot (6-inch K-style) including downspouts
Cost of pro install (materials and labor): $4 to $9 per linear foot
Copper

• Exceptional beauty
• Won’t rust
• No need to paint; will develop a patina over time
• Needs pro installation; seams and joints must be welded
• Used primarily on high-end residences and historic restorations
• Pricey

Cost of pro install (materials and labor): $12 to $25 per linear foot (6-inch K-style)
Seamless Aluminum
Seamless (or continuous) gutters are made at the job site. A truck with a spool of flat aluminum pulls up to your home, and the fabricator uses a gutter-forming machine to custom make whatever gutter length is required. There’s no hauling of long gutters. About 70% of all gutter installations are the seamless type.
Installing seamless gutters:

• Eliminates many seams and reduces chances of leaks
• Costs slightly more than regular aluminum gutters

Cost of pro install (fabrication and materials): $5 to $11 per linear foot (6-inch K-style)
Steel

• Strong
• Galvanized steel resists rust but longevity is an issue; may start to rust after 5 to 10 years
• Many color options; can be painted
• Heavy and not recommended for DIY
• Can be pricey

Cost of DIY materials, including downspouts: $4 to $6 per linear foot (6-inch K-style)
Cost of pro install (materials and labor): $8 to $10 per linear foot
Vinyl

• Lightweight and inexpensive; good for DIYers
• Not many colors to choose from
• Color susceptible to fading from UV sunlight
• May crack in cold weather.
• Won’t support ladders placed against them

Cost of DIY materials, including downspouts: $1 to $2 per linear foot (6-inch K-style)
Cost of pro install (materials and labor): $3 to $5 per linear foot
Zinc

• Durable and long-lasting
• No need to paint; will develop a patina over time
• Needs pro installation; seams and joints must be welded
• Used primarily on high-end residences and historic restorations
• Expensive

Cost of pro install (materials and labor): $10 to $24 per linear foot, 6-inch half-round (K-style not available in zinc)

​Downspouts

​Downspouts come as either round or square, in widths from 3 to 6 inches. The most common sizes are rectangular:

• 2 inches by 3 inches
• 3 inches by 4 inches

Decorative varieties, such as spiral shapes, are available.
The size and number of downspouts you’ll need depends on the capacity of your system.
Rule of thumb: You need one downspout for about every 30 to 40 linear feet of gutter. To increase the capacity of your gutter system, add more downspouts.