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PVC or Aluminum gutters?

richardi | Posted in Construction Techniques on July 31, 2009 02:23am

I’d like to install gutters on my 24’x24′ garage and I have the following questions.

1.  PVC vs Aluminum?  Which is the better gutter in terms of installation and longevity?

2.  What is the proper ‘pitch’ over a 24 foot run?

3.  Is there a tried-and-true gutter ‘cover’ for both or either PVC and Aluminum gutters?

I’d appreciate any tips on this subject.

Thanks in advance  

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Replies

  1. DanH | Jul 31, 2009 02:32pm | #1

    Aluminum. PVC looks OK initially but sags pretty quickly, unless doubly supported. And it generally isn't available in as large a form factor and can't handle runoff on large roofs. Plus aluminum can be continuous, with no seams in its length.

    1/8" to the foot, roughly. But sometimes it's just whatever you can manage.

    There are snap-on screens available (from the big boxes) for K-style aluminum/steel gutters that work pretty well, except in places where pine needles are a major problem.

    Hanging AL guttering isn't an ideal DIY job, and you can often hire it done very cheaply. Do select your contractor carefully though -- look at some of their previous projects and look for straight, crisp-looking installations.

    As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
  2. WayneL5 | Jul 31, 2009 04:49pm | #2

    PVC will work loose at the joints, sag, and fade (if not white) over time.  Aluminum would be my choice.

  3. fingersandtoes | Jul 31, 2009 08:11pm | #3

    I don't pitch my gutters. At 1/8" per foot you end up with 4" drop over 30 ft. It makes the house look odd and leaves a gap between the gutter and eaves. Pour water into a flat baking tray - it doesn't just form a pile in one spot.

    Consider using 5" continuous fascia-gutters. No need to wood fascias with all their attendant problems of maintenance.



    Edited 7/31/2009 1:12 pm ET by fingersandtoes

    1. User avater
      Sphere | Aug 01, 2009 01:24am | #4

      The way around that 4" drop is run a slope, then level, then slope , then level..as you go. Or more commonly have a drop on both ends and split the water run in two.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

      Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

      "If Brains was lard, you couldn't grease much of a pan"Jed Clampitt

      View Image

      1. fingersandtoes | Aug 01, 2009 02:05am | #5

        Here on the Island when it is not raining, it's umm... raining. The only problem I've ever had with gutters is when their outlets clog, and I can't see how sloping them would help that. Slope, flat, slope - why go to all the trouble?

        1. DanH | Aug 01, 2009 02:16am | #6

          You've never seen him hang gutters. He always claims that's the way he intended it.

          As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz

          1. User avater
            Sphere | Aug 01, 2009 02:22am | #8

            No, when I'm being a smartaleck, I just let the drop end hang below the fascia by the elbows holding it up.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

            "If Brains was lard, you couldn't grease much of a pan"Jed Clampitt

            View Image

        2. User avater
          Sphere | Aug 01, 2009 02:20am | #7

          I go to "all the trouble" because it isn't any harder than hanging dead level all the way, but has some built in pitch in the event of a sag in the future. Which can then hold water, which can freeze, which will add to the sag and hold MORE water, which will freeze until the gutter rips off the house.

          I've seen plenty of no pitch gutters, and somehow they always seem to wind up with a backwards flow somewhere along the length. But I get paid to rehang saggy gutters, so hang it your way. Local conditions apply I suppose.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

          Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

          "If Brains was lard, you couldn't grease much of a pan"Jed Clampitt

          View Image

          1. fingersandtoes | Aug 01, 2009 04:08am | #11

            Freezing isn't something I had considered. It doesn't happen here often. I guess it really could do a number on gutters. I did live in Ottawa for years but we never used gutters on any projects there.

          2. User avater
            Sphere | Aug 01, 2009 04:14am | #12

            Location makes a big difference. We don't get all Arctic for weeks on end, but we get a thaw in day time ( slush slides down the roof) and a hard freeze at night. 

            Lack of slope lets that slush stay longer, and more snow or ice on top can be the death of it.

            I've hung gutter level but mostly from lack of choice. I think it's akin to using spike and ferrules when better hangers exist.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

            "If Brains was lard, you couldn't grease much of a pan"Jed Clampitt

            View Image

        3. Snort | Aug 01, 2009 02:59am | #9

          Just curious, are you a contractor, or a hired hand?http://www.tvwsolar.com

          We'll have a kid

          Or maybe we'll rent one

          He's got to be straight

          We don't want a bent one

          He'll drink his baby brew

          From a big brass cup

          Someday he may be president

          If things loosen up

          1. fingersandtoes | Aug 01, 2009 04:05am | #10

            I run my own small design and construction firm.

          2. Snort | Aug 01, 2009 04:37am | #13

            so, houses or kitchen remodels?http://www.tvwsolar.com

            We'll have a kid

            Or maybe we'll rent one

            He's got to be straight

            We don't want a bent one

            He'll drink his baby brew

            From a big brass cup

            Someday he may be president

            If things loosen up

          3. fingersandtoes | Aug 01, 2009 05:06am | #14

            Houses. Practiced architecture before starting my own design-build firm. I did a few jobs for clients before realizing while I enjoyed designing for people I really didn't like building for them and started doing spec projects for myself. Recently I have done a lot of work for a nearby resort, but now that land prices have come down I'm thinking about getting back into spec building again.

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