A Guide for Choosing the Perfect Commercial Rain Gutters for Your Business
February 28, 2017
The facade of a commercial establishment says a lot about the business inside. Business owners are constantly upgrading and maintaining every part of their property that needs improvement. Restaurants, stores, shops, offices, hotels... all kinds of commercial establishments must appear attractive and safe for the customers, that's why a
rain gutter installation is important for any business. Gutters lead the rainwater away from the foundations of a property; it's a system made to protect buildings against water spots, mold and mildew, flooding, among other dangerous and unappealing consequences of water damage.
Moreover, rain gutters do more than just extend the longevity of a property; they improve the exterior aesthetics of your building – copper, half-round gutters can make your property look more elegant, for example. It's just a matter of choosing the ideal kind that matches well with your establishment. If you don't know which type of rain gutter works for your business, here are some guidelines that will help you determine which material, shape, or style to choose:
- Wood, plastic, or metal?
Metal rain gutters are the most common and popular type in the current market. You can find them made with aluminum, copper, or galvanized steel. Most homes and commercial buildings have aluminum gutters since those do not rust; they last long and can be shaped at the site with a mobile machine. Copper rain gutters are more durable and attractive, but pricier than aluminum. Finally, galvanized steel rain gutters are one of the cheapest options; yet they are not rustproof and can suffer from leaks and deterioration versus other types of metal.
Plastic rain gutters are on the newest in the market; they are affordable, low-maintenance, and don't corrode. However, since these are usually aimed to homeowners who plan to install rain gutters as a DIY project, they are sold in parts, which means they cannot be shaped especially for your commercial establishment.
Finally, wooden rain gutters are an elegant, yet costly and high-maintenance option. Their life span is surprisingly long though – about 15 to 20 years. If you decide to choose this type of material for your rain gutters, make sure to use quality wood (cedar, redwood or pine) and keep in mind that you'll need extra care and cleaning to maintain them.
- K-Style or half-round style?
Half-round gutters drain water better than flat-bottomed gutters like the K-style, this is important if you want to prevent stagnant water from causing leaks or allowing mosquitoes to breed. Nevertheless, this problem can be easily avoided with constant cleaning and maintenance.
When it comes with aesthetics, half-round gutters are more suitable for buildings with antique architectural styles according to Taunton's guide for roofing, while K-Style, square, or angular gutters seem to go better with contemporary properties. Choose the style you prefer based on the architecture of your building and on how often you plan on having your water collection system cleaned.
- Seamed or seamless?
Seamless rain gutters will always work better for commercial establishments than sectioned ones. Seamed gutters are prone to leaks in the joints where they connect, especially in gutters whose sections cannot be soldered, like plastic. Seamless rain gutters are only available with professional rain gutter installation companies, since they have the necessary machinery and expertise to make customized gutters for your property.
- Rain chain or traditional downspout?
Downspouts are vertical pipes that are attached to rain gutters to convey the collected water from the roof to the ground, away from the foundations of your property. They are an essential part for the water collection system to work properly; however, while effective, downspouts do not generally make the exterior of a building look attractive. Rain chains, on the contrary, are an interesting alternative – these accessories attach to the gutters where the downspout should be placed, and they channel the water away while creating a therapeutic, relaxing sound when it rains.
Whether to go for downspouts or rain chains depends on what your business needs. Keep in mind that downspouts drain much more rain than a rain chain, so if you want more protection and rain chains just simply don't go with the image of your business, you should stick to traditional downspouts. On the other hand, if you want to add a relaxing touch to your business's façade, go for rain chains. Lastly, but not least, do not forget to check how far rainwater should be drained away from the foundations of your commercial establishment based on the local code of your region.
Choosing the most effective and appealing rain gutter for your business should not be a hard task if you consider this easy-to-follow guide. If you feel you could use the help of rain gutter installation professionals, at Rain Gutters Solution we have the best team of experts to help you choose, install, and maintain rain gutters for your restaurant, apartment building, shop, store, or any other kind of commercial establishment.
Besides commercial rain gutter services, Rain Gutters Solution also provides installation, regular maintenance, and repair services for residential rain gutters. Call us at
(305) 270-7779 or fill out the
contact form on this website to book an appointment with us today. To learn more about our services, find us on
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