ALL ABOUT GUTTERS - What is a Rain Gutter Anyway?

     A rain gutter (also known as eaves trough, guttering or simply as a gutter) is a narrow channel, or trough, forming the component of a roof system which collects and diverts rainwater shed by the roof. In many buildings, the purpose of this diversion is to prevent water from falling off the roof edges.

This uncontrolled water can cause structural damage to the outside walls and/or the foundation of a building over time. Another purpose of rain gutter is to harvest rainwater for household or garden use. Rain gutters can be constructed from a variety of materials, including galvanized steel, painted steel, copper, painted aluminum (also known as Seamless Aluminum), PVC (and other plastics), concrete, stone and wood.

Water collected by a rain gutter is fed, usually via a downspout, into a collection system. A collection system can be a rainwater tank, a storm water main, or a sewer main (depending upon local codes). In some locations where collection to a main is not feasible, the water is dispersed into a storm water pit or cistern. Different styles of gutter are available to suit the design of the roof and house. Exterior rain gutters are available in a variety of profiles to suit the appearance of the building. Exterior rain gutter is fixed to the fascia board, which in turn is fixed to the ends of the rafters. A fascia gutter incorporates a rain gutter with a fascia.

A box gutter is a deep gutter, which is concealed within the structure of the roof. A box gutter is usually applied when the rainwater is to be collected from points within the boundary walls of the building. Water collected by a box gutter is fed to the down-pipe via a rain head

    
5 Inch Seamless Gutters                 6 Inch Seamless Gutters

One of the most popular forms of rain gutter is "Seamless". This is a method by which long lengths of gutter can be made on site and therefore avoiding seaming of sectional gutters. Seamless gutters are available in a variety of metals, shapes, sizes, and finishes. Rain gutters can be equipped with gutter screens, louvers or solid hoods to allow water from the roof to flow through, but block leaves and other debris from entering and building up in the gutter. Rain gutters can have their drains directed to rain collection systems that allows the saving of the rain water for use later, or into an underground pipe system the leads to the street or other collection areas.

A possible origin of the word "gutter" can be traced to the Latin word gutta, which means drop or droplet.

VISIT OUR RAIN GUTTER GLOSSARY For a list of terms associated with rain gutters.