Primary Guttering Supplies
Eavestrough
When you build your list of guttering supplies, the first thing on the list is the eavestrough. Whether you are doing seamless gutters, or installing them in sections, you need to purchase enough gutter to cover the length of the eaves.
Downspouts
Downspouts are sold in 10 ft sections. Typically, a one-story home will not need downspouts any taller than that. On the rare occasion it may need to be taller. The downspout needs to be long enough to reach from the gutter to the ground. This includes the elbows which help make the transition to the eavestrough at the top of the downspout. The standard downspout will need three elbows.
Secondary Guttering Supplies
Joints for Eavestrough Sections
If you decide to go with seamless gutters, you won’t need joints. However, if you are going to install gutters in sections you will need joints for the seams. For example, PVC gutters require you to purchase joints for in between sections. Similarly, some aluminum gutters have a seam coupler or joint that you can purchase.
Endcaps
When you reach the end section of gutter, you use end caps to create straight end. They are sold in left hand and right hand to match the profile of the gutters that you are installing. This is true even in half round style gutters where the profile can slightly differ on the same style of eaves. End caps are rarely made by hand so you will likely need to include them in your budget.
Corners and Miters
Corners or miters are sold in several different ways, depending on the type of corner that you are turning. There are outside corners and inside corners on homes where the gutters both turn at 90 degrees. There are also bay windows where the gutters turn at 45 degrees.
In each one of these areas where corners are needed, there are manufactured pieces that cover the seam where the gutter is cut. If you cut the gutter 90 degrees, each section of gutter will be cut at 45 degrees. You can buy a strip miter to cover the seam on that corner.
Box Style Miters
Inside and outside miters are sold with a box style miter. A box style miter is a full corner component where you can cut the gutters straight and insert the box miter which fills the full corner. The box miter is user friendly and keeps you from having to make minor cuts. You can also buy strip style miters that cover the 45 degree or 90 degree turn seam that you are actually cutting. Depending on which one you are doing, you would purchase either a strip or a box miter. Bay Miters turn at 45 degree angles and are sold in strip miters only.
Professional gutter installers, particularly in Northern America, will not use a strip or a box miter. They usually cut the corners to fit and tab them to make the corners. Corners and miters are not always a necessary item to be purchased. In most situations however, you will see some sort of miter to make that transition on the corners a little easier and get a professional look.
Outlets
An outlet is a piece that matches the size of the downspout and allows the gutter to drain. It is simply a round or square component used to fasten in the hole and works like a funnel to make sure the water is turning down out of the eavestrough. The outlet fits snug and funnels water into the downspout. Some installers may not use outlets but will instead cut a hole and tab the gutter to allow the water to just flow out. The outlet is recommended however and ensures that you never have a leak at the transition point between the gutter and the downspout.
Gutter Hangers
Gutter hangers support the gutter and are usually placed every two to three feet. One of the most commonly used gutter hangers right now is the hidden hanger. The hidden hanger clips into the front or back of the gutter system. It can also be screwed to the back.
Typically, installers will take the gutter length and divide by 2.5, while adding an additional hanger at each end.
Screws
You can buy whatever screws you like for installing gutters, but the screws need to be zinc plated or stainless. This will prevent rust and deterioration because gutters get damp and the screws are subject to rust. Gutter hangers come with screws or you can buy them separately.
Elbows
A style elbows allow the downspout to turn from the gutter, back to the wall, down the wall, and then at the base of the ground. This is how you end up with three elbows per downspout.
Screws and Fasteners
You will need screws or fastener to assemble your downspouts. Zip screws are a good option and they usually have a quarter inch drive. Piercing point zip screws are zinc plated and can be used to connect downspouts, elbows or outlets.
Pop Rivets
Some people prefer to use aluminum or brass pop rivets. This is often dependent upon the type of material the gutters are. Zip screws or pop rivets can also be used to connect miters.
Downspout Brackets
Additionally, for the downspouts, you will need downspout brackets. There are several different types and sizes of downspout brackets so choose accordingly. Downspout brackets are 2×3 and 3×4 for the average residential home. Some brackets are universal. One story homes usually only need two brackets per downspout and a three story home can use three or four.
Anchor for Screws
You will need some sort of anchor for your screws to mount your downspouts to the wall. If you are mounting into concrete, you can use a plastic anchor with your hanger screws. Some installers will just use a concrete nail to mount the bracket to concrete. You will need a fastener for each downspout bracket when mounting to the wall. A good option is to use a hanger screw with the number eight plastic anchor drill. Use a quarter inch bit and install the plastic anchor into the wall before putting the screws through the bracket for the mount.
Gutter Sealer
You will need a gutter sealer for this project. Under no circumstance should you ever use silicone. Silicone does not adhere to aluminum properly and will fail in short time. There are many places you can purchase these.
Do your research, most gutter sealers are relatively the same. They are absolutely necessary and need to be on your list of guttering supplies.
The average home will require three to four tubes of gutter sealer. One tube of sealer will seal about six end caps. One tube can also seal two miters or around six outlets. Based on these estimates you can do the math to see what you need for your project.
Other Guttering Supplies
Ladder
Some other tools you will need include a ladder. Make sure it is the appropriate height and weight rating. you will also need a drill and drivers for the types of screws that you purchased.
Pop Rivet Gun
You will need a pop river gun if you are using rivets and a concrete bit to drill into the mortar. If you are using plastic anchors in the mortar, you will need a hammer and concrete nails to mount into a brick if you have a brick home.
Crimpers
You will need endcap crimper to crimp on end caps. They can be sealed on, but will need to be handled with care until the sealer dries.
Downspout crimpers are needed to crimp the downspouts so you can insert one spout into another or an elbow into a downspout. Typically, one end of these is already crimped, but you may need a crimper to make this process easy. There are DIY ways of crimping the downspout by it is best to just use crimpers to make the process simple.
Cutting Tools
You will also need some type of a saw to cut the downspouts to size. A hacksaw will work just fine. You can also use a metal cutting blade skill saw or a chop saw. Tin snips help are very useful for the final cuts.
Use a hole saw or knife to cut the outlets.
These are all the guttering supplies you need to complete your project. Order your materials and good luck with your installation.