Guttering might be pretty low on your priority list when building or renovating your home.
However, gutters are an important decision that can have long-term effects on your roof and home.
And we aren’t just saying that because we’re roof plumbers (though admittedly we are a smidge biased)
Unfortunately, it’s one part of a home that a lot of homeowners don’t really put much thought into!
There’s more to your gutters than meets the eye. While all gutters perform the same role, that’s where the similarities end.
That’s what our roof plumbers in Melbourne are here to explain.
Things you need to consider when selecting your gutters
Climate and weather
How much does it rain in your area?
This is probably the most important question, as it’s going to determine how big, wide and deep your gutters need to be.
We suggest you go beyond simply looking up your area’s average annual rainfall figures, and also finding out what the heaviest rainstorms in your area look like. While they’re rare, it pays to prep your gutters for them, just in case!
Appearance
Your roof (and by extension, your gutters) don’t just protect your home – they also play a huge role in your home’s curb appeal, as it were.
A good looking roof needs a good looking gutter to go with it.
Luckily for you, there’s a massive range of gutter colours and materials out there that you can choose a gutter that perfectly complements your facade, and which will work together with your new metal roof to boost your home’s style (and value).
Materials
Metal roof installation gives you a strong, durable and fantastic-looking roof. Of course, if the gutter that comes with it isn’t up to par, you’ve got a problem on your hands.
If you’re getting a new metal roof, you’ll want to pair it with new metal gutters.
In our opinion, metal is the best choice for gutters. It’s strong, durable and it looks incredible.
That’s because it uses the same protective coats, finishes and materials as your metal roof.
You can be confident that your gutters will be equally as tough as the rest of your roof, and that they’ll last just as long.
A roof plumber explains different guttering types
It’s important that you choose the right type of gutter for your home.
Depending on which type of gutter you choose, you could find your home suffering from roof plumbing and drainage problems you wouldn’t be experiencing if you went with a different type, like:
- Damage to your sidings
- Flooding directly underneath your roof eaves
- Waterfalls pouring from your gutters
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, it’s time to introduce our colourful cast…
Quad guttering
May as well start with the most common one!
Quad guttering is also known as “D” guttering. Don’t let the second name fool you – it isn’t actually shaped like the letter D.
Instead, quad guttering is square-shaped, with flat sides and a flat bottom.
There’s a good reason that quad gutters are the “default” option. The biggest draw? They offer the greatest volume.
Say you have a quad gutter and a rounded-off gutter, both with a depth of 15cm. Since the quad gutter is squared-off, it’s able to hand the most water.
On top of offering the greatest volume (and therefore being the best type of gutter for high rainfall areas), this type of gutter is squared-off, allowing it to blend in perfectly with your roof eaves and hide roof edges.
Half-round guttering
Like the name implies, these gutters have a curved profile.
While they don’t quite have the volume of quad gutters, these rounded-off gutters have plenty of advantages of their own.
Thanks to the curved bottom, these types of gutters are much easier to clean. If you’ve ever lived in a home with traditional quad gutters, you’ll know how hard it can be to scrub dirt and debris out of the corners of your gutters.
Not to mention, the lack of corners also makes them more resistant to corrosion and wear.
Finally, they look stylish – the perfect choice for a clean, minimalistic home.
Quad line gutters
Can’t decide between quad and half-round gutters?
Get the best of both worlds with quad lin gutters!
Think of these gutters as the mid-point between half-round and quad gutters. While they’re mostly squared-off, these gutters have rounded edges like half-round gutters.
Do you like the rounded-off look but don’t want to sacrifice capacity for it? Or do you wish your quad gutters were a little, you know, softer?
We have the solution: quad line gutters.
Gutter guards
Okay, so these aren’t really a type of gutter. That said, they’re a pretty important part of your gutter installation!
If you’re getting a new gutter to go with your metal roofing installation, we suggest getting gutter guards as well.
There are a range of gutter guards available:
- Mesh guards
- Foam guards
- Bristle guards
While they work differently, the goal is the same: to stop leaves from jamming your gutters, while still allowing water to pass through and drain properly.
More than just guttering: what can our roof plumbers in Melbourne do for you?
New metal roof installation, gutter repairs, roof repairs… we do it all!
Roof plumbing is just one part of your roof. Your roof is the sum of its parts, and if one part isn’t doing its job, your roof isn’t doing its job!
To stay dry and comfortable, you need a roof that performs in every regard. And to get that, you need a roofing team that can look after everything.
There are a lot of decisions that go into planning for a roof installation. It’s a lot to take in – luckily, that’s what we’re here to help with.
The Watermaster Roofing team are more than just roof plumbers: we perform comprehensive metal roof services all over Melbourne:
- Metal roof installation in Bentleigh
- Gutter repairs in Albert Park
- Fixing roof leaks in Dandenong
- Roofing upgrades in the CBD
You name it, and we can do it!
A Masterful roof needs a Masterful team behind it – whether it’s just your gutters and roof plumbing or your entire roof!
Get in touch with Thom and the team at Watermaster Roofing today by calling 1300 576 075 or fill in this form and we will be in touch.
You can also visit us for roof plumbing in Melbourne: pop into our headquarters at 9/22 George St Sandringham, VIC 3191, if you prefer a more hands-on approach.