In our last blog, we discussed copper gutters – how much do they cost, and are they worth the price? If you’re ready to call a professional for your gutter installation, maintenance, or repair, feel free to contact us today. At Alamance Insulation and Gutters, we’re a leader in the insulation and home performance industries. Serving customers throughout North Carolina, from Greensboro, Burlington, Elon and Mebane to Durham and Raleigh, we can help with all your insulation and gutter needs.
What shapes are copper gutters available in?
There are two profiles that copper gutters are most commonly found in – Half Round and K-style:
- Half Round is the most common profile of copper gutters installed in the US. From new construction homes in the Midwest to old historic homes in Baltimore, MD, half round gutters are the go-to profile of copper gutters. They are “U-shaped” and are often seated in fascia mount brackets that wrap around the outside of the gutter (as opposed to internal hidden hangers commonly used on k-style gutters). Half round copper gutters, along with round copper downspouts, convey an old-world charm that historic architecture lovers are drawn to.
- K-style copper is a common alternative to half round. K-style copper gutters are usually made with the same 16 ounce copper gutter coil stock that half round gutters are made from (sometimes heavier 20 ounce material also).
For folks trying to achieve an historic look, half round copper with external hangers is usually preferred.
How durable are copper gutters?
Copper gutters, like any other gutters, require maintenance. Installing a leaf screen product to keep your gutters free and clear of debris is one of the easiest ways to keep the gutters and downspouts functioning well. Copper is resilient, but it corrodes (that’s the green patina in action), and a great way to make your copper gutters corrode faster is by allowing leaves and other tree debris to trap moisture inside the gutter. Not to mention, clogged gutters don’t drain properly!
Copper gutters that have been sealed with caulk will not last as long as solder. This is probably obvious, but soldered seams will last longer than caulked seam
Sometimes, maintaining other parts of the home will help the gutters live a longer life. For instance, cutting back overhanging tree branches will increase the lifespan of the roof and gutters. When a large falling branch hits your gutters, they may dent or begin to slope the wrong way from the impact. Also, depending on your roof configuration, snow guards or a snow retention system may be necessary to protect your copper gutters from sliding snow and ice. We have replaced copper gutters on several houses that were damaged by sliding snow and ice – this is a real issue that needs to be addressed, especially if your roof is slate, metal, or tile.