Your Guide To Commercial Gutters

Without gutters, your roof and home would have severe water damage, become a home to mold and mildew, and be a mess anytime it rained. This is true of gutters on any property, including commercial gutters. While commercial gutters serve the same basic purpose as residential gutters, they are different in some important aspects. Continue reading this guide to commercial gutters to learn how they’re different from residential gutters and about the different types of commercial gutters. 

commercial gutters

Residential vs. Commercial Gutters

The most fundamental difference between residential and commercial gutters is that one is used for homes and dwellings, while the other is used for commercial properties such as places of business, public buildings, and others. They are also unique from each other in the following ways. 

Material 

Gutters can be made of countless materials. However, some gutter materials are better suited to specific properties. While both types of gutters utilize galvanized steel, as far as additional material options are concerned, commercial gutters also work with aluminum, while residential ones can also be made of copper. 

Size And Design 

Other notable aspects of residential and commercial gutters that differ are size and design elements. Commercial properties will often use gutters that are much larger in size than residential ones. Stylistically, one can take more design liberties when it comes to residential gutters. That’s because while both types of gutters have to follow building code requirements, said requirements are far more stringent for commercial than residential properties. For example, commercial gutters will often be bulky in appearance, while residential gutters can be made to complement the design of your home. 

Building Code Requirements 

As mentioned above, building code requirements are also not the same for residential and commercial gutters. Depending on the state and city, the codes will differ, so it’s important to keep up with those requirements depending on your location. 

Shape/Style 

Finally, different shapes/styles of gutters are used for residential and commercial properties. While K-shaped gutters are present in both residential and commercial buildings, a U-shaped gutter is more likely to be found in a home, while a box gutter is a popular choice for a business. You will learn more about K-shaped and box gutters below. 

Types Of Commercial Gutters 

Now that you know how commercial and residential gutters differ, let’s take a look at the two most popular types of gutters found in commercial properties: K-shaped and box gutters. 

K-Shaped Gutters 

K-shaped gutters bring a lot of assets to commercial buildings. Unlike most commercial gutters, these gutters tend to be more aesthetically pleasing, which can provide an added bonus of curb appeal to your place of business. Since they also work for residential properties, you can customize them as you please, as long as you comply with commercial building codes. They are also notable for being highly durable against severe rainfall and for not bending easily. 

Box Gutters

Box gutters are the most commonly used type of commercial gutter for businesses and other commercial properties. Unlike K-shaped ones, box gutters are much bigger and can retain more water. This allows box gutters to withstand high volumes of rainwater, especially for large commercial buildings. They are also very easy to clean and maintain, which in turn allows them to last for a long time as long as you keep up with regular maintenance routines. 

Keep Your Gutters In Shape With Houston Gutters!

Whether you have a small or large business, you’ll be able to take better care of it with the help of this guide to commercial gutters. You can find out what kind of gutters have been installed on your commercial property and use that to inform how you proceed to care for them. If you are experiencing any problems with your gutters, commercial or residential, contact us today at Houston Gutters!