Types of Gutters: The Ultimate Guide

Example of Half-Round Gutters

5-inch aluminum K-style gutters are the most common gutter style in the North Carolina area. But aren’t there other options? And why are K-style so common? Today, we are going to take a comprehensive, organized look at the different types of gutters.

First, we will look at different shapes, materials, and sizes of gutters. We will then go over classic shape-material-size combinations. Finally, and most importantly, we will provide you with some handy comparison charts to see side-by-side comparisons in factors including price, water capacity, and durability. 

We know, that’s a lot of information for one post! But we wanted to make a one-stop guide for homeowners who are picking new gutters for their home. 

In order to make it more accessible, we are going to keep it short, sweet, and to-the-point.

Types of Gutters by Shape

K-Style

K-Style Gutters

About
  • Look like a K from the side
  • Most common style for US homes
  • Typically aluminum
Pros
  • High water capacity
  • Wider opening catches water easily
  • Inexpensive and easy to install
  • Seamless options
  • Resemble crown molding
Cons
  • Can clog easily
  • Attractive for nesting animals
  • Can be hard to clean

Half-Round

Half Round Gutters

About
  • Sometimes called European Style gutters
  • Resemble a tube cut in half
  • Second most common style for US homes
  • Work well with brick or farmhouse style homes
Pros
  • Unique aesthetic
  • Multiple material options
  • Less attractive for nesting animals
  • Less likely to clog
Cons
  • Low water capacity
  • Prone to leaks
  • Can be expensive
  • Can require unique accessories
  • Heavy
  • Difficult to install

Box-Style

Box Gutters

About
  • Feature a square box shape on the bottom with different varieties of openings
  • Most common on commercial builds or modern residential properties
  • Typically galvanized
Pros
  • High water capacity
  • Blend into fascia
  • Larger size options
  • Seamless options
Cons
  • Frequent cleaning required
  • Heavy
  • Ideal for nesting animals
  • Can fill with debris easily
  • Expensive

Fascia-Mount

Fascia-Style Gutters

About
  • Act as fascia along the roofline.
  • Most common on the West Coast
  • Directly installed onto rafters & framing
Pros
  • Larger than K-style or half-round
  • Secure
  • Customized
Cons
  • Higher maintenance without gutter guards
  • Expensive
  • Require professional installation

Victorian Ogee

Victorian Ogee Gutters (UK Types of Gutters)

About
  • Rare in the US, most common in the UK
  • Looks like a combination of half-round and k-style with a shallow base
  • Originally cast iron
  • Typically aluminum
Pros
  • Known for their aesthetic look
  • Good for historic homes
  • Good for Victorian homes
  • Customizable
Cons
  • Minimal water capacity
  • Expensive
  • Require many accessories
  • Tend to only work well on small homes

Now that we’ve given you the sell sheets for the different gutter shapes, let’s look over the different gutter material options.

Types of Gutters by Material

Aluminum

Aluminum gutter coil

Pros
  • Most common
  • Lightweight
  • Inexpensive
  • Seamless and sectional options
  • Durable
  • Will not rust
  • Color Options
Cons
  • Can dent & bend
  • Average lifespan (20 years)

Vinyl

Vinyl Plastic Gutters

Pros
  • Inexpensive
  • Lightweight
  • DIY option
Cons
  • Weak
  • Sectional only
  • Leak easily
  • Wear down & break in hot and cold climates

Copper

Copper Gutters

Pros
  • Curb appeal
  • Premium option
  • Sturdy
  • Do not rust
  • Long lifespan
  • Seamless option
  • Low maintenance
Cons
  • No color options
  • Most Expensive material
  • Heavy
  • Will oxidize and change color over time (pro or con depending on your taste)

Zinc

Zinc Gutters

Pros
  • Premium option
  • Long lifespan
  • Multiple color and design options
  • Heavy material
  • Low maintenance
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Vulnerable to acid rain/runoff

Steel (Stainless and Galvanized Options)

Stainless Steel Gutters (Uncommon types of gutters)

Pros
  • Galvanized is rust resistant
  • Stainless Steel is rust-proof
  • Durable
  • Won’t dent
  • Seamless options
  • Good for extreme weather conditions
Cons
  • Stainless steel 2x more expensive than galvanized
  • Few professionals install steel gutters
  • Seamless is rare
  • Minimal color options
  • Noisy in the rain

Classic Gutter Style Combinations

While almost every option style is available in every option, the trouble is finding someone who actually specializes in it. Just because seamless k-style copper gutters exist does not mean that everyone installs them. With that in mind, we wanted to go over the top gutter combinations found in the North Carolina area.

5-inch K-Style Aluminum Seamless Gutters

5-inch K-Style Aluminum Seamless Gutters

These are the most common gutter for new construction homes. Most builders opt for the 5-inch to save on material expenses. These require a professional installation as the gutters are custom-made onsite.

5-inch K-Style Aluminum Sectional Gutters

5-inch K-Syle Aluminum Sectional Gutters

You can find the materials for sectional gutters at Lowes or Home Depot, and they do not require a special gutter machine. As a result, these are one of the most common DIY options for homeowners.

6-inch K-Style Aluminum Seamless Gutters

6-inch K-Style Aluminum Seamless Gutters

6-inch gutters are rising in popularity, especially in areas with heavy rainfall. They hold 40% more water than 5-inch gutters. Consequently, they are a good option for homes with large or steep roofs. These, like the 5-inch, also require a professional installation.

Aluminum Sectional Half-Round Gutters

Aluminum Sectional Half-Round Gutters

A stylish option, some builders install half-round gutters in new community developments to give homes a farmhouse aesthetic. While these types of gutters hold less water, they work well for smaller roofs.

Copper Sectional Half-Round Gutters

Copper Half-Round Gutters

The “premium” option, copper gutters are popular among high-end communities for their aesthetic and durability. Although it’s more challenging to find a professional who installs copper gutters, they are still the most common type of premium gutters.

Types of Gutters: Comparison Guides

Who doesn’t love charts? In order to compare the different types of gutters by price, water capacity, and durability, we created a simple chart to compare each factor.

Price

Chart Outlining Price Comparison to Install Different Types of Gutters

Water Capacity

Chart Comparing Gutter Styles by Water Capacity

Durability/Lifespan

Chart Comparing Gutter Materials by Lifespan


We hope you found this guide to the different types of gutters helpful! Still have questions about gutters? Let us know in the comments!

Helpful Resources: