When deciding on a new gutter system, a lot of decisions need to be made. One of those decisions is what shape of gutters to go with. Two popular styles are K-style and box gutters. Read on to learn the pros and cons of each type.
K-style gutters are the most popular. Much of this comes down to their appearance. They’re available in aluminum, steel, copper, and vinyl, with aluminum being the most popular material. They come two sizes: five-inch and six-inch. They work well on houses and residential properties because they can hold a large amount of water and can easily and safely transport water away from the building.
K-style gutters have the most durable shape, and they can support the weight of extra debris that might fall into them such as leaves, branches, etc. They are available as seamless gutters. Their sharp corners and angles, however, make them more difficult to clean. The crevices in K-style gutters can also collect debris which is left to build up and rot.
If you require large gutters, box gutters may be more suitable for you. They aren’t as aesthetically pleasing as K-style gutters, but their wide, deep shape makes them easier to clean. Box gutters are popular with businesses, although smaller sizes are available for houses. Box gutters have a clean and polished look that compliments commercial properties.
If your building has a large roof, or if it’s in a particularly rainy climate, you may want to look at box gutters. They can handle more water than K-style gutters, and generally have fewer problems. Some will choose them despite their appearance, simply because they offer more functionality. Like K-style gutters, box gutters are available in a variety of different materials, with aluminum being the most popular.
Both K-style and box gutters are available as seamless gutters. This is important because seamless gutters offer several advantages over traditional gutters. They are cut on-site using special machinery, to the exact length that your building requires. Without the seams and gaps of traditional gutters, seamless gutters don’t have the same number of leaks and blockages that traditional gutters do, making them far more reliable.
In the end, you’ll need to ask yourself some key questions regarding what you want out of your gutters. Do you need large gutters that can hold more water? What type of material do you prefer? What style do you want? Finally, how much time and/or money are you willing to spend on cleaning and maintenance? Both styles can work very well—it all comes to your personal needs and preferences.