K-Style Gutters

What Are K-Style Gutters?

K-style gutters are the most common type used on homes today. They get their name because their profile looks like the letter K. These gutters are usually made onsite from flat aluminum sheets that go through a roll-forming machine. This process makes them strong and sturdy, so they can handle heavy rain or melting snow. Some contractors also call them “ogee gutters” because of their double-curve shape.

K-style gutters are common across the U.S. because they fit many different home styles. They are often seen on modern homes, but they also suit older houses. You can find K-style gutters made from materials like aluminum, galvanized steel, vinyl, and copper.

Benefits

Licensed roofing and gutter contractors often prefer K-style gutters over half-round gutters for several reasons:

• Efficient During Heavy Rainfall: K-style gutters have a deeper profile than half-round gutters. This allows them to hold and move more water away from your roof.
• Solid Lifespan: The K shape makes these gutters stronger, so they often last longer than other gutter styles.
• Easy Installation: K-style gutters are easy to make and install onsite, which is why many companies prefer them. Their flat back can be nailed right to the fascia, making the job even simpler.

K-style gutters do have some downsides compared to half-round gutters. Their shape makes it easier for debris to collect, which can also make them harder to clean. Still, if you keep up with regular maintenance or hire a professional cleaning service, you shouldn’t have any problems.

K-Style Gutters Dimensions and Rainwater Capacity

In this section, we’ll go over common gutter sizes and their efficiency in moving rainwater. This will help you determine which gutter size is most appropriate for your home.

K-style gutters come in widths from 4 to 8 inches, but most homes use 5-inch gutters. This size usually handles rainwater well in most areas. If your home has a steep roof or is in a place with heavy rain, you might need 6-inch gutters instead.

A licensed gutter contractor can help you figure out which gutter size is best for your home.

If you want a more precise answer, you can multiply your roof’s drainage area by its pitch and the highest rainfall rate in your area. This will show you what size gutter you need to prevent overflow during heavy storms. Or, you can use a simpler guide to see how much water your gutters can hold:

• 5 Inches Wide: A 12-inch piece of 5-inch K-style gutter holds about 1.2 gallons of water.
• 6 Inches Wide: A 12-inch piece of 6-inch K-style gutter holds about 2 gallons of water.

The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association offers a gutter sizing and downspout calculator on its website to help you find the right K-style gutter size for your home.

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Durability and Lifespan

The shape of K-style gutters makes them very durable and long-lasting, even when made from lightweight aluminum. Still, the material used for the gutters, downspouts, and other parts also affects how long they last.

Check the chart below for a basic idea of how long K-style gutters last, depending on the material.

Many things can affect how long your gutters last. For example, gutters on a house near the ocean in a rainy area won’t last as long as those in a dry climate, even if they’re made from the same material.

Regular maintenance, like clearing out debris and painting any exposed metal, can also help your gutters last much longer.

How Much Do K-Style Gutters Cost?

On average, K-style gutters cost about $26.26 per linear foot. Prices can range from $9.28 to $41.25+. This includes professional installation, which usually costs $4 to $14 per linear foot, depending on local labor rates. If you choose high-end copper gutters, expect to pay even more.

The total cost to install new K-style gutters on your home depends on several factors, such as:

• Home size
• Architectural style
• Amount and size of gutters needed
• Difficulty of installation
• Local contractor labor rates
• Choice of gutter materials
• Number of downspouts
• Gutter guards, if needed

There are many factors that affect the price of new gutters. You can use our Gutter Installation Cost Calculator to get an estimate for your home.

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K-Style Gutters Cost by Material

The material of your gutters is the biggest factor affecting your total cost. Vinyl is the most affordable option, while copper and zinc are premium materials with a premium price tag. Here’s a general idea of the average cost of each material:

Note: These numbers reflect average national costs. Your total cost may be higher or lower than this, as the cost range can vary significantly.

Seamless vs. Sectional K-Style Gutters Cost

Sectional K-style gutters are often more budget-friendly upfront than seamless gutters and can often be installed by handy DIYers. However, sectional gutters are more prone to leaks than seamless gutters are, so it’s often worth the higher upfront cost to avoid maintenance costs later on.

On average:

• Seamless K-style gutters cost between $9.28 to $41.25+ per linear foot to install ($1,856 to $8,250 for 200 linear feet)
• Sectional K-style gutters cost between $6.20 and $30.25 per linear foot to install ($1,240 to $6,050 for 200 linear feet)

» Read More: Seamless vs. Sectional Gutters

How Much Do Downspouts and Gutter Guards Cost?

Keep in mind that the above costs are only for the gutter trough. They do not include downspouts or gutter guards. Gutters without downspouts are like a car without a steering wheel. Downspouts are a necessary component to remove water from the gutter trough and transport it to the ground and away from your residence. A well-functioning gutter system has downspouts placed no greater than 40 feet apart.

Cost of Downspouts

Aluminum downspouts, which are the most common, usually come in 10-foot sections and cost about $136 to $248 each. Downspouts made from other materials cost $31 to $62 each, and most homes need at least four. Rectangular downspouts are usually used with K-style gutters.

Cost of Gutter Guards

Gutter guards are also an extremely important component of a properly functioning gutter system. Gutter guards are screens that are placed on top of the gutter trough to keep debris such as leaves and twigs from collecting inside the gutter. This detritus will impede water flow and reduce overall performance, and you will have to clean it out manually.

Gutter guards for a 1,500-square-foot home can cost between $460 and $4,000, depending on the type and how durable they are.

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K-Style vs. Half-Round Gutters

K-style gutters are the most common type in U.S. homes, but you might also want to consider half-round gutters, which are the second most popular style.

As the name implies, half-round gutters look like one-half of a circle. They are more often used on older home architecture styles, such as Colonial, Victorian, bungalow, Cape Cod, and American foursquare. However, they can also pair well with modern architectural designs, especially residences clad in stone or brick.

Here’s a quick look at how the two compare:

• Durability: K-style and half-round gutters have similar lifespans, but K-style gutters are usually slightly stronger.
• Style: K-style gutters resemble crown molding, making them “fit in” better with modern home styles. Half-round gutters “stand out” and are typically seen on older homes.
• Installation Process: It’s far easier to install K-style gutters, since they can be mounted directly to the fascia. On the other hand, half-round gutters are more complicated to install.
• Cost: K-style gutters tend to be more affordable than half-round. The average cost per linear foot for half-round gutters is around $28, while K-style gutters cost about $26 per linear foot. That may not seem like a huge difference, but it adds up!
• Capacity: Half-round gutters have a lower water capacity than K-style gutters. This makes K-style gutters more suitable for locations with heavy rainfall.

Installing K-Style Gutters

Installing new gutters is much quicker than big home projects like remodeling a bathroom or kitchen. A licensed gutter contractor can usually form seamless gutters onsite and finish the job in less than a day.

The contractor will decide where to put the gutters and downspouts, then measure your roof. Most of the work is done on the ground with a roll-forming machine. After cutting the gutters, they’ll drill holes for the downspouts and make sure the gutters have a slight slope to prevent water from pooling.

A full gutter system has end caps, corners, mounting brackets, and downspouts. Gutter guards are also recommended for the best results. Hiring a professional makes sure the job is done right and safely.

When you’re ready to start your gutter installation or replacement, Modernize can help you find local contractors.

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