When you’re renovating your roof or your home exterior, there are many different factors to consider. One of them is aesthetics, specifically the way that your roof, your siding, and your gutters all work together. As you plan your gutter replacement, you need to know what your options are for gutter shape and gutter color. 

Choosing a Color for Your Gutters 

There are a number of different options that you can choose when you’re deciding on the color for your gutters. You can choose to match or to complement other features of your home. These include: 

• Coordinating with the trim on your home. If your house is made out of brick or stone or another material that is difficult to match, you might decide to match the trim instead. If you have limited options for gutter colors, look at those options first before deciding what color to paint your trim.
• Matching your siding. Many people choose this option when they’re looking for the best gutter color. Neutral homes and neutral colors of gutters go well together. If you’d prefer a strong or creative color for your home, you might choose to match another part of the home instead.
• Echoing your roofing color. If your home has eclectic colors and you can’t really match your gutters to any of them, you can choose to match your roof instead. This makes the gutters easily blend into the roof line.

Choosing Your Gutter Style 

Gutters also come in different styles. This is important for aesthetic reasons, but it also helps determine your gutter capacity.

According to House Logic, “K-style gutters have flat bottoms and backs, and the front side of the gutter usually has a decorative shape, such as a curve or ogee, that mimics crown molding.” This style of gutter became popular in the 1950s, and it can add a finished look to your home, similar to the way that molding finishes up the connection between your walls and other parts of your interior.

Half round gutters are the traditional gutters that have been popular since the early 1900s. This look is still popular today as well. This gutter is a half-circle or trough that leads to the downspout.

Your gutter choice shouldn’t only be about the look of the gutter, however. K-style and half round gutters have a different gutter capacity. According to This Old House, a 5 inch K-style gutter can drain a roof that’s 5520 square feet, while a 5 inch half round gutter has the capacity to drain a roof of 2500 square feet. When you’re installing a specific gutter style, make sure that you install for its capacity as well as its looks.

Choosing Gutter Materials 

Your gutter materials help bring style to your gutters as well. Aluminum gutters are the most popular choice, as they are both very affordable and durable. Vinyl is also affordable, though it tends to wear more quickly than aluminum. Other types of gutters include metal gutters such as stainless steel and copper: these are more expensive, but they work well for homes that require a unique gutter style to match their unique personality. This includes heritage homes.

Are you curious about your gutter replacement options? Contact Harry Helmet. With decades of experience in the gutter industry, we can help you understand your options and plan for your future home renovation. Schedule a free estimate today.