Custom Gutters
Custom Copper Gutters are rain gutters that
have been constructed from copper, a metal which
has a very distinctive appearance when it is new.
Over time, untreated copper gutters will acquire a
patina, slowly turning gray to greenish. The use
of copper gutters is ancient, with evidence of
copper roofing and gutters dating back thousands
of years, and copper continues to be a very
popular material for gutters. The main
disadvantage of copper is that it tends to be
higher in price than other gutter materials, but
it also increases the value of a structure.
Gutters are critical to the maintenance of a
structure. They trap the rainwater which rolls off
the roof, using downspouts to divert the water
away from the sides of the building. Without
gutters, a structure can be prone to water damage,
and wet weather can be very unpleasant, as water
will spill over the doors and windows.
There are several reasons to use copper gutters
on a home, beyond the aesthetic look it adds.
Copper is very corrosion-resistant, so it will
endure even in salty conditions and areas with a
great deal of acid rain. It is also sturdy, and it
meshes well with a wide variety of roofing
materials, including slate, cedar shakes, and
composite roofing. Cooper gutters also do not need
to be painted, although people who want to reduce
the development of a patina may need to
periodically strip and re-seal their copper with
products designed for this purpose.
For copper gutters to be effective, they should be
regularly cleared out to remove leaves. It is also
a good idea to check the gutters for breakage and
weak points, especially after a storm, and to
replace damaged sections of gutters and downspouts
promptly to avoid long-term problems for the
structure.