A satisfied customer once proudly told us, “Your extruded aluminum gutters look so good up there, I feel as if I could hang on them”. We hastened to explain gutters are not gym equipment, and then went on to mention how important gutter hangar space is too, even though he could not see our fittings from below.
Why It Is Essential to Space Gutter Hangars
If we were to place a length of our extruded, light-weight aluminum gutters on two blocks, one at either end, and tread on the middle then the unsupported center would distort. That’s why we typically use 18-24″ spacing between aluminum hangers, because experience has taught us this is the ideal solution.
Is That the Industry Standard Then?
No not at all, unfortunately! Cowboy installers save time and money by using inferior brackets and spacing them too far apart. Mainline providers, on the other hand, usually space gutter hangars no more than 36″ apart. However, we don’t believe in using this norm as our standard, because:
- The right distance to space gutter hangars depends on the weight they carry.
- Vinyl gutters are lightest, followed by aluminum and then steel and iron.
- The client’s climate and location determine the amount of water they carry.
However, those are not the only reasons why we space gutters 18-24″ apart.
More Reasons to Space Gutter Hangars Correctly
Our seamless, extruded aluminum gutters we purpose-make on site, come with ‘invisible’ gutter hangars you won’t see from below. There are several reasons for this, including the fact that a neat gutter line creates a solid impression.
However, if you are doing the job yourself with plastic gutters, then you could do well to space the visible hangars evenly, and sufficiently to support those eavestroughs. You may not know it yet, but plastic gutters need even, adequate support to prevent them distorting during unusually hot and cold weather.
Using Protruding Rafters to Space Gutter Hangars
The average eavestrough system in Calgary carries a surprising amount of weight during heavy rain, or when packed solid with snow. This means you can’t arbitrarily space gutter hangars where you think they look good. You also need to attach them firmly to the building, so that their weight does not bring them crashing down.
This is why it often makes sense to use protruding rafters to determine gutter hangar spacing. Roofs and fascias are often strongest along rafter lines, and as an added convenience this naturally creates an 18-24″ distance that should be the building industry standard. This is another excellent example of the quality of care we take at Valiant Exteriors in Calgary.
More Information
Can I Install Eavestroughs on Stucco?
Gutter Bracket Spacing by Valiant Exteriors (Image Copyright Use With Written Permission)