Gutter Styles in South Charlotte, NC
Gutter Styles: K-Style and Half-Round in South Charlotte, NC
K-style and half-round represent two distinct gutter styles that can be installed on your home. Due to their attractive appearance, half-round gutters are particularly popular for specialty applications. While both gutter styles come in various materials, the cost difference, especially with aluminum options, makes half-round gutters more of a specialty choice.
Many homeowners are unaware of the options for choosing the right gutter system for their property. Both K-style and half-round gutters are offered in 5-inch and 6-inch sizes, and each can be adapted as a radius gutter, which means they can be shaped to fit areas of your home that feature a semi-circular design.
*Half-Round Seamless only available in some locations. Ask your Solutionist
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Types of Gutters
A K-Style gutter is the most common type found on both residential and commercial buildings. The term “K” describes the distinctive shape of the gutter’s front, which not only enhances its appearance but also contributes to its strength. This design is highly effective at managing large volumes of water, helping to prevent overflow and ensuring reliable performance during heavy rainfall.
Available in 5 inch and 6 inch
Types of Leaders
A leader, more commonly referred to as a downspout, is the component attached to the gutter that channels water from the gutter down to the ground. Downspouts, or leaders, come in various sizes to accommodate the specific requirements of each home.
The most commonly used leader size on residential homes is 2×3 inches, the standard dimension paired with 5-inch gutters. When 6-inch gutters are installed, a larger 3×4 inch leader is typically used instead. This is because 6-inch gutters are designed to handle a greater volume of water, requiring a bigger leader to manage the increased flow effectively.
Available in 2”x3” and 3”x4”
The corrugated design enhances strength and offers an appealing look that many people appreciate. Corrugated leaders are an excellent accent when installing copper gutters, adding durability and visual interest.
There are no real advantages of round leaders over rectangular leaders as far as handling water and debris.
Available in 3” & 4”
Smooth-round leaders have an attractive appearance, but they are not as strong as corrugated leaders. While they are not necessarily weak, they are more prone to denting if struck than the more durable corrugated option. Additionally, smooth round leaders are only offered in copper, not aluminum.
There are no real advantages of round leaders over rectangular leaders as far as handling water and debris.
Available in 3” & 4”
Types of Hangers
A hanger is designed to hold the gutter and attach it securely to the house. It functions by gripping the front edge of the gutter and snapping onto the back, providing stability and support. Today, most professional installers use hangers that are fastened with a threaded screw, ensuring the gutter remains firmly attached to the structure.
WSG uses this hanger, which is considered the best on the market. It features a screw that comes pre-started in the hanger, making installation easier. The shaft through which the screw passes reinforces the screw, providing additional strength. Additionally, the subtle arch at the bottom of the hanger further enhances its durability. The threaded screw is designed to be driven at an angle through the back of the gutter and into the fascia, ensuring a secure fit.
Available in 5” & 6”
The hidden hanger is frequently chosen over the superior Quick Screw hanger primarily due to its lower price. However, while it is more affordable, this option can significantly reduce the overall lifespan of your gutters.
Available in 5” & 6”
The inside of this hanger features a corrugated design, which enhances its strength. While it offers a clear improvement over the standard hidden hanger, it still does not match the strength of the Quick Screw hanger.
Available in 5” & 6”
If your gutters are over 10 years old, they may have been installed using the nail and ferrule system. In this method, a nail is driven through the front of the gutter, passes through the ferrule shaft, continues through the back, and is secured into the fascia. While this was the standard approach to hanging gutters about 20 years ago, technological advancements have adopted hidden hangers as the new industry standard. The main issue with the older nail and ferrule system is that, over time, the nails tend to work themselves loose. This happens because the wood in the fascia expands and contracts with changes in temperature and moisture, gradually pushing the nails out and eventually causing the gutter to detach.
Available in 5” & 6”
When installing Half-Round gutters, the preferred hanger is the #10 combo. To secure the gutter, the back end of the hanger is fastened to the fascia, and the gutter is placed into its circular form. Afterward, a spring clip attaches to the front end of the hanger, hooking over the front lip of the gutter to hold it firmly in position.
Other Materials
The gutter wedge fills the gap behind a gutter when the fascia board is angled or when molding is positioned behind it. It is compatible with both 5-inch and 6-inch gutters.
When two gutters meet at a house’s corner, a miter creates a smooth transition between them. During installation, our crews carefully seal the area in three critical spots to ensure durability and prevent leaks. First, they apply sealant at the manufacturer’s seam located in the middle of the miter. Next, they seal the inside of the corner where the gutters overlap. Finally, they add sealant on top where the gutters join together. This thorough process effectively eliminates the risk of leaks at the corner.
Certain houses feature architectural elements like bay windows or bonus rooms that create an octagonal shape on the exterior, necessitating the gutter system to form a 45-degree angle. In these cases, a bay miter joins the gutters at the corners, ensuring a proper fit and function.
A roof strap is a slender metal strip designed so that one end hooks into the gutter hanger, while the other end features holes for a screw, allowing both the gutter and the strap to be securely fastened to the roof. This type of strap is commonly used when no fascia is present.
When added to a house or building, conductor heads serve both decorative and functional purposes. Typically installed at the top of a leader, they are commonly used alongside copper gutters and leaders to enhance the overall appearance. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, the conductor’s heads also help manage water flow; when a large volume of water is directed into a single downspout, the conductor’s head temporarily holds the excess, allowing the rest to flow smoothly down the leader pipe. These conductor heads are available in aluminum and copper materials and come in 5 and 6 inches.
End caps close off the open end of a gutter, preventing water from escaping through that end. To ensure a watertight seal and eliminate leaks, the end caps are crimped into place and sealed with silicone.
In most houses, an overhang separates the gutter or fascia from the siding. An elbow is typically used to connect the downspout from the gutter to the siding. Elbows are also installed at the bottom of all downspouts to ensure water is directed away from the foundation rather than flowing straight into it.
