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K-Guard Kansas City Blog

How to Select a Gutter System Based on Roof Design & Pitch

Everyone knows how crucial a roof is to a home – not only do they protect us from all types of weather conditions but they keep us dry and protect us from extreme temperatures, something we often see here in The Heartland. Could you imagine not having a roof on your home during the winter months? We’re shivering just thinking about it.

Did you know roofs come in many different designs and pitches? A roof requires careful planning to ensure it functions properly. From low-slopes to gable and hip roof designs, there are many different designs and pitches and they affect how well a gutter system works to drain water away from the roof and home.

Continue reading to learn how to select a gutter system based on roof design and pitch so you can be better informed when it comes to replacing or installing a new gutter system for your home.

 

Roof Designs

Flat/Low-Slope Roof

Flat or low-slope roofs are much flatter on the surface and have a minor slope compared to other roof designs. How minor is the slope of a flat or low-slope roof? It’s usually between ¼-½” depending upon the builder and the design of the home. A low-slope roof allows some water to drain from the roof but it’s not sloped enough to drain heavy amounts of precipitation and snow. 

What type of gutter system pairs well with a flat/low-slope roof? Most gutter systems will work to collect and drain water away from the home’s roof, however, drainage issues may occur due to the low slope of the roof. Carefully consider all gutter system options to see which will work best with your low-slope roof.

 

Gable Roof

A gable roof is easily recognizable and is a common roof design in America. A gable roof has two sides that slope and meets in the middle to form a triangle that extends from the roof. More water can drain from a gable roof as opposed to a low-slope roof because the slope is greater. Although they’re able to drain more water, gable roofs are more prone to damage from high winds, something we often get here in the Kansas City region.

So what type of gutter system works with a gable roof? Most gutter systems will work, however, the gutter installation company you choose to install your gutter system should use precise planning when it comes to where to place the gutters. 

 

Hip Roof

A hip roof is usually triangular in design with angled sides that slope down to the walls of a home. You can identify a hip roof by its slope and lack of gables; they have more of a slope when compared to a flat roof and don’t have any gables. Hip roofs are an ideal roof design for places that have high winds and areas that get a lot of rain due to their ability to withstand most weather conditions.

Pretty much any gutter system will work with a hip roof but you’ll want to make sure the gutter system is placed around the entire roof rather than in sections.

 

Metal Roof

The most durable roof, a metal roof, can withstand high wind speeds and heavy precipitation. A metal roof can also have a lifespan that’s nearly double that of other roofing materials, so they’re more on the pricey side.

Although metal roofs are very durable and will last for many years, they don’t pair well with most gutter systems. Water moves so quickly down a metal roof due to lack of friction and most gutter systems can’t handle large amounts of water. If you have a metal roof then you’ll want to be careful when it comes to choosing a gutter system that will pair well with it.

 

Roof Pitch

Along with roof design and materials, the pitch of a roof is another factor that should be considered when comparing gutter systems. What is a roof pitch? It’s the steepness of a roof and determines how fast water drains from the roof. Roof pitches are categorized by either low-pitch or fast-pitch.

How does a roof’s pitch affect a gutter system’s ability to collect and drain water away? The lower the pitch, the slower the water will drain away. Likewise, the greater the pitch the faster water will drain away. Ultimately, a gutter system will need to be able to keep up with the amount of water that drains away from the roof. You’ll want to make sure that if you have a fast-pitch roof that the gutter system can handle heavy amounts of precipitation. 

Determining the type of gutter system that will work best with your home depends on your roof’s pitch and design. Whether your home has a flat/low-slope, gable, hip, or metal roof, it should always have a quality gutter system installed to ensure the roof is kept dry and water drains properly.

Luckily, the K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System pairs well with every type of roof design and pitch. Unlike most gutter systems that have one component (hood, mesh, topper, etc.), our product is a complete system, offering more than just one part to keep leaves, debris, and pests out. In addition to eliminating clogs, the K-Guard Gutter System has oversized gutters and downspouts that allow for all forms of precipitation to flow at a much faster rate than other systems allow – up to 22 inches of rain per hour! 

K-Guard proudly offers our gutter installation service to homeowners across both Missouri and Kansas including, but not limited to, the following locations: 

 

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