Gutters & Downspout Installation in Greater St. Louis

Gutters and downspouts are important for the health and well-being of your house. By directing roof runoff away from your foundation walls, this drainage system is your first line of defense against basement or crawl space flooding.

A well-functioning gutter and downspout system preserves your topsoil and protects exterior siding and trim from backsplash water that can damage paint and cause wood rot.

What's the Best Gutter and Downspout Material?

If you're planning to replace old gutters and downspouts or install a new roof drainage system, one of your first decisions will be the material used for gutters and downspouts. We offer seamless copper gutter installation and also install seamless aluminum gutters in MO and IL. Here are some details about the different materials choices for gutters and downspouts.

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Different materials choices for gutters and downspouts

Seamless aluminum offers excellent value. Aluminum won't crack or split like vinyl nor will it rust like steel. Aluminum gutters are light but durable. They never require painting because of their factory-applied finish. Seamless aluminum gutters are custom-made right at your house, to the exact lengths required. Because they're affordable and effective, seamless aluminum gutters and downspouts are often a homeowner's first choice.

Copper gains character as it ages. Copper gutters and downspouts are found on historic houses and on high-end properties. Copper is a material that won't ever rust or require painting. It weathers naturally to a pleasing brown patina. Copper is much more expensive than aluminum or steel and copper gutters are more labor-intensive to install. In exchange for paying a premium price for this gutter and downspout option, you'll get an architectural element that adds character and craftsmanship to your home.

Galvanized steel is strong. Steel gutters are stronger than aluminum versions, so they're less likely to be dented or bent by falling branches or pressure from ladders. Steel gutters require painting for appearance and protection against rust. Eventually, all steel gutters will rust in certain places where paint and the galvanized coating have worn off.

Vinyl can't handle the sun. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic is used to make plumbing pipe, so PVC (aka vinyl) gutters will have no problem handling roof runoff. But vinyl deteriorates when exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods. Paint will slow but not stop this ultraviolet (UV) degradation. Vinyl gutters are also more brittle than metal versions. Impacts can cause a vinyl gutter to crack or break rather than bend.

Wood gutters are rare. Wood isn't an ideal gutter material, since it can crack, warp, leak and rot. But it's the only gutter material Colonial builders had, so you can still find these gutters on some historic houses.

K Profile or Half-round Gutters?

Another decision you'll have to make concerns the profile or cross-section of your new gutters. Aluminum gutters are usually installed in a "K" profile that features a curved front edge. The "K" or "Ogee" gutter profile is compatible with many house styles.

Round or (more accurately) half-round gutters are often chosen when the homeowner wants copper or galvanized steel gutters.

Gutter size is also an important decision. The size denotes the measurement across the top of the gutter. Most houses require either 5-inch or 6-inch gutters. The downspouts used in a gutter-and-downspout system can have a rectangular or circular profile.

Other Details to Consider

If you're having gutters and downspouts installed, it makes sense to consider including gutter guards and splash blocks or ground drainage in your installation. Gutter guards or covers will help to prevent your gutters and downspouts from being clogged by leaves, twigs and other debris. Splash blocks and ground drains help to direct water from downspouts away from the house.

We are your resource for gutter and downspout work throughout Greater St. Louis including St. Louis, St. Charles, Florissant, Ballwin, O Fallon, Granite City, Saint Peters, Chesterfield, Alton, Collinsville, Fenton, Arnold, and the surrounding areas!

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