Have you ever thought about gutters as an attractive feature on your home? These most basic of home necessities don’t have to blend into the background, not when there are so many beautiful possibilities for this home renovation that will keep your home dry.
We’ve gathered some of the cleverest ideas available today. There’s copper, and galvanized metal, unusual downspouts and more. With gutters like these on your home, you might even look forward to rainy days … well probably not, unless you're having a drought and need the rain for your landscape.
Copper is a Classic Home Renovation Material
Copper gutters are as gleaming and beautiful as you might think. Unless, of course, you prefer au naturel, with an authentically aged blue-green patina that emerges over time with unsealed copper.
Either way, copper makes a bold statement on almost any home.
Copper gutters stand out, and so does the price tag. These are not inexpensive. There, are, however, faux copper gutters that look much like the real thing. And from a distance, no one will be the wiser. Faux copper can be aluminum that's been painted, or vinyl that's a solid color.
Add a Rain Chain Instead of a Down Spout
Who needs downspouts? Well, most homes do, but some areas might also be appropriate for a rain chain instead. This interesting item won’t contain water and divert it away from your house like a traditional down spout, so many home owners add a secondary feature such as a pebble bed or rain barrel underneath to help encourage drainage or contain it.
Rain chains are a visual bonus. They look interesting, no matter the weather.
They also produce a light trickling sound when it rains, which some home owners find peaceful and soothing. It’s similar to the sound that a fountain makes.
Upgrade Your Home Renovation with Custom Gutters
Custom gutters almost defy description. If the material resists the elements, protects your home, and diverts water, it’s likely suitable as a gutter. Custom designed gutters can be fabricated from sheet metal to suit your personal taste. If you have something very different in mind, this is the way to go.
Custom work must still meet code. Just because it looks great, that doesn’t mean it would pass inspection (learn more about gutters and building codes). Be sure your fabricator can draw up plans and present them for approval before you make the investment.
Down Spouts Can Also be Creative
Like gutters, a custom fabricator can fashion a down spout from any material that will contain and divert water from your home. That leaves the choices wide open. Yours may be tubes that are square, oval, or round. They may even come in pairs.
Down spouts do serve a very important purpose, and that’s directing water away from your home’s foundation. In an artistic design where the down spout doesn’t curve out at the bottom like the traditional style, you’ll need a special arrangement at the bottom to direct the water away or contain it, similar to what you’d need with a rain chain.
Gutters have long been function first, and often painted to blend in as much as possible. They’re not usually attractive features, but they are important for avoiding water damage.
If you’re a home owner who likes the unusual, this basic necessity that all homes have might be an area where you can show off your creative side. Custom gutters will almost always be costly, although if you're using gutters instead of other trim features, the cost might be similar. It’s worth it, if you can smile on a rainy day.
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