How Home Design Impacts Eavestroughing

A roof is often the last thing we look at when purchasing a home. We may give it a sideways glance before we enter, and a superficial look when we leave. At Valiant Exteriors we find it amazing how few home buyers and owners give eavestroughing more than a passing thought.

We discuss how home design impacts the effectiveness of eavestroughing in this post. Realtors love showing houses on sunny days without a drop of rain in the sky. It may be an idea to return on a rainy one before confirming a purchasing decision.

How Home Design Dictates Roofs and Eavestroughing

Home design traditionally begins with a floor plan, because that dictates how the occupants will experience the space inside. The architect adds a stylish roof as they complete the elevations. But as for the eavestroughs they are often little more than a shadow line.

Pity the poor eavestrough installer who has to figure where the water will go. We keep seeing very poorly designed new construction projects in Calgary, especially inner city duplexes and four-plexes. As a result, we have to come up with creative solutions to properly drain water away.

The Various Types of Roof Styles We Encounter

The best way to discuss how home design impacts eavestroughs is to consider this by roof type:

# Hip Roofs slope down to the foundations on all four sides. There are no gables or gullies, just eavestroughs on each side. This is one of the more expensive types of roof in terms of guttering. However it is also less trouble if maintained.

# Roofs with Dormer Windows for attic space may look cute but they do complicate the flow of rainwater and packing of snow. The channels on either side need careful attention. Therefore, inspect carefully before you decide.

# Gable-Style Roofs only need eavestroughs on two sides and this halves the materials. However, these must be able to carry up to twice the water load of hip roofs. They thus need deeper eavestroughs and larger down pipes.

# Roof Gullies carry surprisingly large volumes of water. This almost inevitably overshoots the eavestrough in heavy rain. Despite this, we often find gullies over front doors. It’s as if the designer gave no thought to where the rainwater would go.

Talk to Calgary’s Local Experts Valiant Exteriors Ltd

Knowing how home design impacts eavestroughing helps you understand your roof drainage better. Speak to Calgary’s local experts Valiant Exteriors Ltd at 403-829-1661 if you need free advice on waterproofing your home. We explain everything in detail before we start and we warrant our work.