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Rain gutters provide a lot of protection for your house without you even noticing. They work pretty much passively without really being noticed most of the time. No attention is really paid to them until they start malfunctioning.

When this happens, rain pours out everywhere that it isn’t supposed to be, and gutters clog up in the worst places possible. Purchasing these rain gutters requires some planning since there is such a wide variety of them. Here’s an overview of what you have to sort through.

What Type Of Material Do You Want?

One of the first decisions you’ll make for your rain gutters is what material you want them to be made from. The post popular ones will be aluminum, copper, steel, and vinyl. Metal ones are more popular since it lasts longer. Most of the time, material choice is made depending on the weather in your area.

If you live in really wet and humid areas, steel is usually a bad choice. A lot of people choose aluminum since it is a nice medium between price and function. Copper is being a more popular choice for its great appearance and high quality. Steel can rust eventually if it is not cared for properly.

Shapes Of Gutters

After choosing the material, you’ll need to decide on the material. The most popular style are “K” style gutters and half-round gutters. You’ll then need to pick the size of the gutters. They are available in different diameters. Larger ones tend to help prevent clogging if you have a lot of trees in the surrounding areas.

Installing The Gutters

The gutters need to be attached to your house, and there are many systems available to do it. One of the most used ways is with gutter hangers. Various styles of hangers are available like crossbar hangers, ones with straps, and ones that are hidden once installed. Any of these will be suitable for your gutters. However, it may be determined by your roof design.

Downspouts

These are exactly what they sound like. Downspouts are the spouts that direct water downwards from the gutters. These are usually available in 3 by 4 inches rectangular sizes or even round ones. Again, it is usually better to go with larger sizes to prevent water and leaf clogging.