Have you ever worried about getting moisture and bad air sneaking their way into the walls of your house or building? Then don’t! The solution lies in the gutter and soffit installation onto your house. They will prevent the unwanted water, air and moisture from collecting on the roof and walls, thus preventing the expected damage. The next thing that you might consider is hiring experts for the proper selection and installation of gutters and soffits onto your building. But first, you need to know why gutter and soffit installation is necessary.
WHAT IS A GUTTER AND WHY IS IT NECESSARY?
A gutter is a long horizontal pipe that is open from above and is installed along the edges of the roof of a building or house.
Its primary function is to collect the rainwater from the roof and drain it away. Not only rainwater, but it also collects the dirt and other unwanted stuff falling on the roof, such as leaves, debris, tree seeds, etc., and keeps the roof’s drainage system alive.
The importance of a gutter lies in the fact that if not installed, all the unwanted things will start to collect and pool over the roof, causing damage to the building in various ways. Whether you own a house or a mansion, you should keep the possibility of adequate drainage in mind so that the walls are protected from moisture and unwanted accumulated water.
TYPES OF GUTTER
Gutters are classified into different types based on their shapes and material.
A) Based on the shape
1- U-shaped gutters: A U-shaped gutter or a half-round gutter is traditionally used gutter in standard house-drainage systems. It has a rusty look and has a low tendency to clog. As a result, it needs less maintenance than a K-shaped gutter. U-shaped gutters come up in various sizes like 5” or 6”. They are dropped after installing brackets along the edge of the roof.
2- Box-shaped gutters: A box-shaped gutter (square gutter) is bigger than traditional gutters and is usually used in commercial buildings. The gutters must be installed while the building is being constructed to drain the water and debris properly. This is done to ensure that no damage occurs during the construction. They come up in different sizes, usually from 7” to 10”. They are usually made of copper or aluminium.
3- K-shaped gutters: A K-shaped gutter (ogee gutter) is a unique-styled and modern type of gutter fixed against the wall. It is installed in such a way that water cannot percolate down the wall after the rain. They are usually made of copper, aluminium and galvanised or stainless steel. Moreover, they can withstand more damage than half-round gutters. They are also cheap and durable but clog easily. That is the reason they require timely maintenance.
B) Based on material
1- Copper: It is the most expensive type of gutter typically used in traditional homes. Although it is expensive but gives an attractive look. Because of its high resistance against rusting and extreme weather conditions, it is highly durable and does not require any maintenance. However, its installation requires a highly professional team.
2- Aluminium: Aluminium is the most common gutter material usually used in residential homes. It is light, cheap and very easy to install. However, with the increase in material thickness, the cost also increases. But the problem with aluminium gutters is that they cannot withstand temperature changes.
3- Steel: Steel gutters can either be stainless or galvanised, depending upon your budget. If you want a rust-resistant gutter with high durability, then you should opt for galvanised steel gutters. However, stainless steel gutters are more expensive, but they won’t rust and easily withstand all weather conditions.
4- Vinyl: Vinyl gutters are inexpensive and easy to install compared to other gutter materials. These gutters are resistant to corrosion and rust but crack easily if exposed to extreme freezing or high temperatures.
WHAT IS A SOFFIT?
A soffit is a structure that covers the under-eaves part of the house and is connected to the face of the wall. It is attached to the ceiling by a hanger and fascia gutter profiles, which connect it with the ceiling. Eave is the overhanging part of the roof beyond the face of the outer wall of the house. If your house has a steep roof and overhanging eaves, you should consider installing a soffit.
Soffits are extremely important in protecting the rafters from bugs and moisture that damage woody material and walls. Another important function of the soffit is that it provides ventilation by air of good velocity to the attic of the house. Air, with any velocity, can enter the ventilation-friendly soffit and pass through the attic. The soffits are also used to cover and hide aqueducts, gas pipes and drainage systems that are fitted with the ceiling. Moreover, installing a soffit will give an aesthetic look to your house. So, almost in all ways, soffit is very important for making your house look aesthetic!
TYPES OF SOFFITS
Soffits are classified into various types depending upon the material used.
1- Wooden soffits serve well for traditional houses. They can easily be recycled and are suitable for most types of environments. But the problem with wooden soffits is that they decay very early.
2- Fibre-cement soffits are economical and can withstand a lot of environmental changes. They are easily installable and can be used almost anywhere. Moreover, it comes in a variety of styles and colours.
3- Steel soffits are more commonly used soffits in larger houses, such as mansions. They have high durability and strength. Moreover, they can also be ventilated, thus providing fresh air to the ceiling and preventing moisture. The downside of this soffit is that it is a bit expensive.
4- Aluminium soffits are better in a way that they don’t require maintenance very often. They are opposed to high temperature and moisture. Also, they are easy to install.
5- Vinyl and UPVC: Vinyl soffits are affordable and customisable according to the user’s needs. UPVC (Un-plasticized Poly-Vinyl Chloride) are resistant against water, chipping and rotting. Thus they are effective in many ways.
BENEFITS OF GUTTERS AND SOFFITS
The gutter and soffit installation has the following benefits to the building
1- Provide drainage
2- Cover the main ceiling
3- Protect the roof from damages by rainfall and moisture
4- Hide the pipes and vents attached to the ceiling
5- Give an aesthetic look to the house
6- Provide proper ventilation to the ceilings by high-velocity air
COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF GUTTERS AND SOFFITS
If you are neglecting the gutter and soffit installation in your house just because you are worried about the cost, then just consider their long-term benefits. Since the cost depends on the type and amount of material used, the installation cost is calculated in “dollars-per-foot”.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A PERFECT GUTTER AND SOFFIT INSTALLATION SERVICE?
MC Roofing Expert provides highly trained professionals for proper gutter and soffit installation, so that you wouldn’t worry about the quality of work. We have one of the best roofers who do the work smartly, professionally and honestly. Moreover, if you already have your gutter and soffit installation done, but have not gotten them cleaned, then we also offer gutter cleaning services.
We provide the quality of work our customers expect from us by working in a hassle-free way. You can contact us for any query, suggestion or a free quote without any hesitation because clients’ satisfaction is what we ensure!
