Gutter Terminology 101

Downspout - A pipe for conveying rain water from a roof or gutter to the ground or to a drain. Downspout Extensions – Are just what they sound like.  They extend the downspout to drain the water farther away from your foundation. Elbow - Elbows are fittings that attach to the downspout. One end of the gutter elbow is crimped so that it can fit inside another elbow or downspout.  Elbows come in to styles A or B.  An "A" style elbow refers to an elbow that, when attached to a downspout, angles the downspout frontwards and backwards.  A "B" style elbow refers to an elbow that, when attached to a downspout, angles the downspout from right to left or from left to right (sideways). End Cap – Is a flat formed piece that is placed at the end of a gutter section. Expansion Joint – A joint in a long run of gutter designed to allow for thermal expansion and contraction. The experts at Alloy Gutter Company will determine when an expansion joint is necessary. Fascia Board – is a wooden board that covers the ends of rafters. Flashing – is a strip of metal used to stop water from penetrating the junction of a roof with another surface. Gutter – is a shallow trough fixed beneath the edge of a roof for carrying off rainwater. Gutter Pitch – is to ensure that the gutters drain properly toward the downspout. Miter – is a joint made between two pieces of gutter material at an angle of 90°, such that the line of junction bisects this angle.  There are two types of miters, inside or outside. Outlet – is a cut made in a run of gutter so a downspout can fit in its place.

What are the Different Types of Leaf Protection that Alloy Gutter Offers?

At Alloy Gutter we offer 3 different types of leaf protection.  Based on our 39 years of experience we believe these three types of leaf protection are the best options for our customers.  The three types of leaf protection we offer are strainer, shelter, and helmet. Strainer style leaf protection sits in the gutter and has been compared to a spaghetti strainer.  This is the most requested type of leaf protection and for good reason.  It is the most cost effective and lasts for many years.  Strainer is not visible from the curb.  It does not require any maintenance and keeps the leaves, twigs and branches out.  It fits both 5” and 6” K style gutters.   Shelter style leaf protection provides an ultra-low profile that is barely visible from the ground.  It comes in an assortment of colors. You do not need to replace your current gutters.  Leaf Shelter installs over your existing 5" or 6" gutters.  This type of leaf protection can handle the heaviest of rains.   Helmet style leaf protection is guaranteed for life.  It also comes in an assortment of colors. It comes in 4-ft panels that are easy to replace in case one or more is damaged by an external force. Helmet style leaf protection does not affect your roof or its’ warranty because the product screws directly into your gutters.  This leaf protection offers a custom fit to meet your leaf protection needs.

Benefits of Having Seamless Aluminum Gutters

There are several different options for you to choose from when selecting gutter material.  All are solid choices however aluminum gutters are often referred to as being your best choice and there are many reasons why.  Let’s go over a couple of them. The number one reason customers select seamless aluminum gutters to be installed on their house is because they resist rust and are inexpensive.  They are well known for being very durable which is why they come with a 30 year warranty. Another benefit to choosing aluminum gutters over other materials is the simplicity with which these gutters can be painted with the color of your preference and made to match the exterior color of your home and roof. Aluminum gutters also have the advantage of being customizable meaning the gutters can be shaped to fit any space on the roof or down the side of a house.  This option makes it easy to see why people like seamless aluminum gutters. Lastly, seamless aluminum gutters look anesthetically pleasing and compliment any home.  Alloy Gutter will come out and custom fit your needs. Please give us a call for a free estimate today!

Why Seamless Gutters?

We frequently get asked the question; what does the term seamless gutter mean?  Seamless gutter simply means that your gutters are produced in one continuous run, on site, to any length that is needed to fit your homes specifications. Seamless gutters are the most highly recommended form of guttering systems.  They account for over 75% of all gutters installed in the United States. With seamless gutters you greatly reduce any possibility of leaking.  They are also very strong and add curb appeal to any home. Alloy Gutter has over 30 colors to choose from for your home.  We have been specializing in seamless gutter installations for over 35 years and are here to help you with any questions you have.  Don’t hesitate any longer.

Are my Gutters Pitched Correctly?

Your gutters serve one purpose and that purpose is to direct water away from your foundation.  They are a vital feature in defending the structural integrity of your house.  So how do you know if your gutters are pitched correctly?  We recommend that you look inside the gutter to see if there is any standing water.  Standing water is a tall tell tale that your gutters need to be re-pitched. Gutters should be pitched toward a downspout for the water to flow properly.  You will want at least a quarter inch of a slope for every 10 feet. Long runs of gutters are intentionally high in the middle so water flows toward downspouts at each end.  If a gutter has too much slope, it will flood the downspouts, and there's a very good possibility that the gutter will overflow at the low end leading to the foundation to erode by the downspouts. If you are experiencing standing water or are noticing that your gutters are constantly overflowing causing your foundation to wash away, give the guys at Alloy Gutter a call right away.  We will be more than happy to come out and take care of the problem for you.

What to Look for When you Need to Hire a Gutter Installer

New Residential House; Architectural Asphalt Shingle Roof, Vinyl Siding When hiring a Gutter company there are many different things that you should look for and consider.  Before you decide to go with any company please ask yourself these questions. How long have they been in business?  If a company is relatively new there may or may not be enough information to have you feel comfortable enough to hire them. How is the company’s reputation?  Ask around.  Do your research online.  How does the company stack up against other companies? Ask neighbors and friends for their opinions. Do you always talk to a real person when calling the company during business hours? Is there someone available during business hours to answer any questions you have?  Are they courteous and knowledgeable? Are they insured? This may be the most important question to ask the company before you hire them.  You do not want to risk having an uninsured company working on your home and having something going wrong.  You do not want to risk an uninsured company coming onto your property and getting hurt and you having to cover the medical bills. Make sure their coverage includes both liability and workers compensation.  Get a copy of their insurance to put your mind at ease. Are they licensed in the state that you live in? You will also want to make sure they are licensed in the state they are working in. Each states requirements for licensing is different, and frequently any protections the customer may have by hiring a licensed contractor is lost if the work is not being done in the state that issued the license. Do they offer a warranty for their work? A good reputable company will offer some sort of warranty for their work.  Get a copy of the proposed contract and make sure it defines what the warranty will be and for how long. You do not want to hire a company that will put you and your house at risk. So ask those questions. Make sure you do your research.