Gutters On Old Houses

Gutter materials and shapes.

Gutters on old houses.

Built in gutters date back to the time of the roman empire and have been used on homes through the 1940 s. It is engineered to withstand harsh weather conditions. The vinyl material resists rusting and corrosion. Cradles trough from underneath so it s open and easy to clean.

Gutters attach to the eaves two ways. With the help of a sturdy ladder and an assistant a do it yourselfer can install sectional gutters on a modest sized house around 1 300 square feet during the course of a weekend. Gutters are a critical component of a home s drainage system and like many exterior features they re subject to wear and damage. As usual these beautiful gutters were neglected and then were frequently removed.

In short for most houses gutters called eaves troughs in some areas are a necessary evil. This style is based off of cast iron gutters that would have been very popular during the 19th century and it has a traditional yet stylish look that can look great. Wood rain gutters made of cedar redwood and fir are still available however and are most often used in renovations of older historic houses where staying true to the original building materials takes precedence over longevity. To the fascia the boards that cover rafter ends or to the roof.

Sectional gutters and peripherals corners downspouts gutter guards etc can be found on the shelf at home improvement stores. For most mid century homes you have a lot more options than the a 19th century queen anne victorian. Fascia hung gutters are sturdier and more secure but if the fascia is nonexistent or covered with crown molding roof mounting may be your only choice. But with a little knowledge and some basic maintenance and troubleshooting work you can keep this water management system working well and avoid all the problems that occur when water gets where it doesn t belong.

The gutter is maintenance free and cleans with a hose. So for each style i ll give you a sense of when it was popular so you can best pair it with your old house. Old gothic gutters as they are also commonly called are very distinctive and have a decorative profile that looks great on certain homes. What types of gutters work with a historic house is largely dependent on the age of the home.

K style gutters 1950s present. Built in gutters can be on a simple tin porch roof or an elaborate high style greek revival. Be prepared to spend a bundle as well if you choose this classic house gutter material. It does not require paint and the traditional style complements most homes.