Metal or plastic? There is plenty to think about when installing new or replacement guttering – and the material to be used is usually top of the list for several reasons.
First, money. The guttering material you choose will have a huge bearing on the overall cost of the project. PVC plastic will keep costs down but is more susceptible to failure than a metal like copper with a lifespan of over 50 years.
Second, appearance. Cast iron for example is far more suitable for a Victoria-era building than PVC if the aim is to keep the guttering true to the original look and time period. Modern properties in contrast can shine with the contemporary appearance offered by zinc or aluminium.
Third, personal preference. Which is why there is never a right or wrong answer as to the best type of guttering material. Like toppings on a pizza, it is all about personal tastes. Unless of course you are putting pineapple on. In which case, you are a heathen.
Presumably, you have wound up reading this article though for help selecting a guttering material. Rather than to consider pizza toppings.
To help you make your decision, here are the positives and negatives of six different types of guttering material.
PVC guttering
PVC is one of the most popular guttering choices, used on buildings across the United Kingdom. It can be easily installed without needing to hire a professional, making it a good option for those looking to do their own guttering work.
The simplicity of PVC guttering makes it the cheapest option. But as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. And in this case, the low cost of PVC comes with drawbacks.
It has a shorter lifespan than metal guttering and is far more likely to suffer accidental damage, caused for example by ladders or falling objects.
Another attractive characteristic of PVC guttering is that it is available in a range of colours. However, it can be damaged by UV light and fade. Shiny, pristine, black PVC guttering will lose its sheen far more quickly than metal.
Cast iron guttering
Before plastic guttering, cast iron was traditionally the material of choice for domestic and public buildings in the UK.
You will see it on many older properties and listed buildings. Its popularity stems from it being exceptionally strong and having a long lifespan.
The flip side of such strength and longevity is that cast iron is very expensive. It is also difficult to install owing to its weight, meaning the services of a professional with specialist equipment will usually be needed.
Depending on the condition of cast iron guttering, it requires painting every 5–10 years. Not necessarily a problem for a small semi-detached house. But a potentially huge undertaking for a large building with many metres of pipework to maintain, such as a hospital.
The good news is that cast iron pipe repair is becoming increasingly more commonplace. Cracked cast iron was once considered amongst the most difficult guttering materials to seal when cracks and splits appeared.
Specialist products like MS polymer sealants now enable permanent repairs to be made to significant areas of damage quickly and easily.
Galvanised steel guttering
Galvanised steel guttering sits somewhere between PVC and cast iron on both the cost and durability scale. It is strong but lightweight, looks clean and can be painted to a specific colour using a specialist paint.
Although galvanised steel scores high marks for appearance, it is quicker to corrode than other metals and requires regular maintenance as a result.
Stainless steel provides an alternative to galvanised steel. Stainless steel is much more resistant to corrosion and therefore has a longer lifespan. It is though heavy and awkward to work with. It is also more expensive than galvanised steel.
Copper guttering
Copper guttering will last over 50 years. As it oxidises, a greenish-blue skin is formed over the pipework, which protects it from weathering and damage.
The same natural reaction between copper and air which turned the roof of Berlin Cathedral and the Statue of Liberty from bronze to green gives copper guttering its exceptional longevity.
Copper requires little maintenance and it looks superb on all types of buildings both before and after oxidation. There is a reason though why copper guttering is rare – it is very expensive.
Zinc guttering
Zinc is another guttering material that changes colour as it oxidises. It starts out bright silver but over time develops a darker outer layer similar in colour to lead.
This protective skin increases the lifespan of zinc. It is easy to install due to being lightweight and requires no maintenance; rainwater will do that for you by encouraging oxidisation.
Downsides to zinc are its cost and how it reacts with air containing high salt content. Salt that is able to settle on zinc can cause staining and impact the rate of corrosion. Careful consideration should therefore be given to using zinc within 1–5 kilometres of the sea.
Aluminium guttering
Aluminium is a popular guttering choice thanks to having high strength and low weight. Like PVC, it can be installed by non-specialists.
It can also be painted to suit specific properties, requiring re-coating every 10 years or so. Whilst it does not corrode and has a lifespan of over 25 years, it is more likely to dent than other metals.
Choosing the right guttering material for your building
There is one final aspect to consider before making your decision – building regulations and any rules which may cover your local area.
Building regulations govern the disposal of rainwater. You need to check your new system is going to be compliant.
For new buildings or extensions, it is also worth contacting your local authority to see if there are any specific rules you need to obey by. This is particularly important when working in a conservation area, where there may be restrictions in place.
If you are installing new guttering on a listed building, you should always check whether the changes are allowed. Altering the appearance of a listed building too much without permission is risky business.
Leave a Reply