Is it true that plastic gutters are not strong – they break and separate in the connecting areas? What is the best gutter in a single-family residential suburban home? In this article, we will try to answer these questions. Most single-family homes have installed gutters not only on steep roofs, but also on the edges of balconies and terraces. The technology used to produce plastic gutters Breeze, which is currently in use, provides durability comparable to that of metal, so the choice will be determined by the wealth of the investor’s portfolio. The longevity of a roof drainage system ultimately depends on the quality of the materials used and whether they are properly installed.
Bryza manufacturers offer many roof drainage components. Each such system includes a complete set of materials to assemble a complete drain on roofs of various shapes. The main elements include sections of gutters, internal and external corners, downspouts and holders for fixing them. This range is supplemented by protective nets to prevent the accumulation of leaves in the gutters and so-called revisions, and outlets gutters installed according to the method of rainwater drainage.
The material used to manufacture individual parts of drainage systems should be of high quality. Durability and reliability of gutters, downspouts and other necessary elements that drain water from the roof depends on it. Such gutters last for years. The technology of refinishing, dyeing and corrosion protection is still improving. Plastic gutters have also been popular for over a decade, as have steel gutters.
Plastic gutters use polyvinyl chloride, dyed in mass, in a variety of colors. Unfortunately, PVC is quite sensitive to temperature changes – it becomes soft at high temperatures and becomes brittle and prone to damage in cold weather. Therefore, plastic gutters will be more susceptible to damage and deformation on heavily sunlit roofs, especially when they are in dark colors (they heat up quickly) and in places where heavy snowfall contributes to their excessive load. However, they are resistant to surface damage because all scratches don’t affect their durability or aesthetics – it’s hard to see signs of damage to the mass-painted material.
Steel and copper gutter systems
Coated metal gutters are made of galvanized or aluminum sheet steel, which is covered with a decorative and protective coating. Metal gutters show high dimensional stability in different weather conditions (they do not tighten too much), but the coatings that protect them can be easily damaged by careless assembly or, for example, by damage from branches. Consequently, such a gutter may be less durable on the roofs of homes located in wooded areas, as it is often necessary to remove leaves, twigs, thorns or needles from its interior.
Copper gutters are usually chosen for homes built well above standard. Most often, they are installed in historic buildings undergoing renovation. Such gutters-though quite expensive-are very durable.
Gutters can have different cross-sections, which determine not only their appearance, but also the strength and power of the water held back and passed through. Semicircular and semi-elliptical gutters are the most popular because they have a high flow capacity, making them suitable for large roofs. They also have the advantage of being very resistant to mechanical stress. In addition, they are easy to keep clean because dirt is consistently washed away with water and does not settle in the corners.
In turn, trapezoidal gutters, rectangular or eaves, usually have a small height, so they are suitable for small roofs. Their undoubted advantage is that they are adapted for installation on the inner hooks, not visible from the outside.
Pipes usually have a circular or square cross-section, and rectangular pipes are rarely offered. Pipes with round cross-sections are usually completed with gutters with semicircular and semi-elliptical cross-sections.” Square pipes” are not produced by all manufacturers, they are usually completed with gutters with a square cross-section, and are used to give a special look to the building.
