Buildings need extra protection during the rainy season, especially when it starts raining heavily. Note that having a roof might not be enough to protect the occupants from the weather. Thus, buildings need to have roof gutters.
Without roof gutters, the rainwater will stay on the roof for an extended time and possibly cause severe damage. However, you can find that roof gutters don’t have the same components or features on residential and commercial buildings. You have to learn their differences to ensure you install the right one.
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What Sets Them Apart?
As mentioned a while ago, residential and commercial buildings need gutters because they channel water away from the building’s foundation effectively and safely. Residential gutters usually divert water into their yard or landscape, while commercial gutters can’t drain it anywhere due to structural issues.
If you neglect proper gutter installation in commercial spaces, expect to encounter severe issues in the long run. Most of the time, installing the wrong gutters on a commercial building will be an expensive fix since roofing contractors need to replace the entire gutter system. You should also know about several factors that set them apart, including:
Appearance
Placing commercial gutters on a residential building can look awkward because of its size. You don’t want your house to look out of place, and you can say the same thing with commercial buildings. Most residential gutters come in smaller sizes, so installing them on a large commercial building can give it a disproportionate appearance.
Gutter Shape
Residential gutters usually come in two distinct forms: the U-shape and K-style gutters. You can’t install them in commercial buildings because its roofing system can only accept box gutters, which is a requirement.
Basics in Selecting a Gutter for a Building
Choosing gutters for your home or business involves making vital decisions with the roofing contractor assigned for the installation. Before any installation happens, you need to select the correct gutter size to fit the roofing system perfectly. You can find most gutters measured in five inches, while larger models come in six inches or more. Usually, commercial roofing systems need six-inch gutters because they hold in more water than five-inch gutters.
Once you figure out the gutter’s precise measurements, the next step is choosing its material. Don’t forget to consider your local area’s regulations on which material you need to install on your building’s roof. But if you don’t have any codes to follow, any gutter material will suffice. If you plan to find a replacement gutter, it’s best to avoid buying the same material and look for another one that’s tougher and better than the last one.
Examples of materials for roof gutters include aluminum, galvanized, copper, and vinyl. Each has its advantages and disadvantages that you need to keep in mind to weigh out your options.
Aluminum Gutters
Many people choose aluminum gutters because they can install them on both residential and commercial roofing systems. It’s an inexpensive gutter material that comes in different stylish colors to choose from that will work well with your building’s color scheme. Aluminum gutters are a great option when you still have a newly opened business or you want to renovate the building at a low cost.
Vinyl Gutters
If you don’t want aluminum, you can go for vinyl gutters. Some building owners avoid vinyl material because it’s not as strong compared to copper or steel gutters. However, you can still find some benefits that you will like about them. They are easy to install, lightweight, and require minimal maintenance. Vinyl is an excellent material that you can install on residential and commercial roofing systems.
Galvanized Steel
Galvanized steel gutters can provide affordability and durability, making them one of the best gutters in the market today. Once you install it on any building, it stays strong and lasts for decades. Consult with your roofing contractor because they can give you helpful tips on keeping the gutters clean and avoiding openings and leaks that can cause structural damage from the running water. Proper installation will prevent any issues. It would be best to keep your contractor safe during the installation process by installing a roof hatch safety railing.
Copper Gutters
Copper gutters will give any residential or commercial building a clean, modern appearance. Besides its great look, it’s also the most expensive material out of the others. Although, the good side of buying them is you get several benefits such as a 100-year lifespan and rust-free properties. You can sell the building, and you still won’t have to replace or repair the gutters.
Always pick the right gutter system to avoid the hassle of frequent repairs or replacements. Consult with your roofing specialist to assist you in choosing one to prevent any mistakes from happening while saving you valuable time and effort.