Gutters are critical to any exterior weatherproofing project and can wreak havoc when improperly installed or not operating correctly. The sheer amount of water that gutter systems must collect and divert to a safe place to drain is often far more than one would think. When this system fails, it can cause water damage to framing or, worse, damage to interior surfaces and finishes. In cold climates, there is also the risk of ice dams or overloaded gutters that can detach from the building.

Gutters are critical to any exterior weatherproofing project and can wreak havoc when improperly installed or not operating correctly.

In most cases, when properly installed, gutters are as reliable as a brick. However, poor craftsmanship, shoddy materials, and Father Time can take their toll on any gutter system. These issues can lead to poor or slow drainage, leaks, or other annoyances. However, gutter systems often fail due to a lapse in proper maintenance. (i.e. clogs due to poor cleaning intervals)

The role of gutters

Gutters are intended to collect water from the roof system, but because they are an “open trough” to capture as much of the flow as possible, they often collect more than just rainwater and snowmelt. Leaves, pine needles, sticks, and other materials can be found in gutters that are either neglected or not flowing correctly. And this is where the real problems begin.

Using a tool like a Trim-A-Gutter and some inexpensive trim coil, contractors can form gutter hoods to suit each job.

Finding the right fit

In many cases, the solution is to install a gutter protection system known as gutter guards. The intention is to let all the rainwater in but keep everything else out. This challenge has many different results, from foam gutter inserts, flexible screen rolls, and rigid screened drain panels to gutter hoods. These all work to varying levels of success. Some types of protection work better than others, depending on the kinds of debris. When considering climate, foliage, and roof pitch, gutter hoods are the most effective design over the widest range of scenarios.

Plenty of off-the-shelf gutter hood options are available, and they all work similarly, but not without some limitations. Premade hoods are often only available in a few colors, limited in their available sizes, and do not always provide a secure mounting system or much of an opportunity to modify them if the fit is incorrect. They tend to be a one-size-fits-all option, which in practice means they never really fit right and fail to look intentional.

Made-to-fit gutter hoods alleviate many of these issues and can be more beneficial than premade hoods and screens. Using a tool like a Trim-A-Gutter and some inexpensive trim coil, contractors can form gutter hoods to suit each job. Gutter hangers and gutter clips to hold the hoods are available for new gutter and hood installations or a gutter protection-only project on existing gutters. The flexibility of making custom hoods allows contractors to match the roof pitch perfectly, properly join hood sections together for a seamless look, and color-match almost any shingle or gutter color out there, thanks to the vast array of available trim coil options. This is a significant achievement, particularly regarding high-end installations and remodels.

The best choice

No matter which method is selected for gutter protection, it must all be effective at quickly assisting the gutter system in moving all that water to the proper location. The advantages of some methods come when you begin to look past the basic function and focus more on the overall presentation of the protection system. In this case, custom-fit gutter hoods allow for a more polished look yet remain an effective way to keep gutter systems flowing.