As we know, water is one of the most essential elements needed to sustain life. But when it comes to our homes or storage buildings, water seeping in may be more of a safety issue than life-nourishing. As most homes come complete with a water system that also includes a drain, it may not seem like it is up to the homeowners if they can add gutters or not. But homeowners totally have a say in where and how their gutter should be installed in their homes as it also has a lot to do with the overall design and aesthetics of their dwelling.
A gutter, or alulod in Tagalog, is the trough usually made of aluminum o stainless steel added next to the eaves of a home’s roof where rainwater can flow down into an attached downspout or rain pipe. As a roof feature, gutters are pretty essential as it prevents rainwater to pour directly down from all sides of the roof. The downside of a gutter is that it needs frequent cleaning and maintenance. In this article, we will discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating a gutter or alulod into your house design.
Alulod or No Alulod?
It is pretty common for home contractors to advise to incorporate a gutter system into the home that they are building. However, while the home feature does have good advantages to a home, it also comes with issues, especially in maintenance. Below are the pros and cons of adding a gutter or alulod into your house design.
Image from Canva
Pros
Gutters Complete A Neat Roof Design
Gutters do more than just catch and redirect rainwater away from your home’s walls. A professionally installed gutter system can also give your roofline a nice, neat finish by covering the exposed edges. This can make your roof appear more complete, especially if the gutter design blends well with the roof.
Prevents The Destruction Of Your Exterior Walls
Image from The Spruce
One of the most important advantages of gutters is that it prevents rainwater from your home’s exterior walls. Safety-wise, this prevents the walls from corroding, developing cracks and mold. Aesthetic-wise, a gutter preventing water from the exterior walls will prevent mold and moss from growing on the structure and affecting the overall design of your house.
Protects Your Landscape Design From Rainwater
For homeowners with statement landscape art, gutters are definitely essential in order to avoid rainwater sliding down from your roof and directly down to the landscape art. This will protect the art from damage and preserve its structure.
Saves The Interior Of Your Home
While basements are not as common here in the Philippines, gutters are also important for those houses that do. A gutter system will help redirect rainwater away from your basement, which will then help preserve both the interior and exterior structure of your home. This will not only help you save money from potential repairs and refurbishing, but it will also help keep your living space pristine.
Cons
Can Attract Unwanted Guests
Image from The Window Genie
A common issue with gutters is that their structure is very attractive for pests and insects to live in. This may encourage insects to create their burrow in your home’s gutter. Mosquitoes may also live in your gutters if the downspout does not drain properly.
Not Good For A Minimalist Look
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For homeowners who prefer to preserve a minimalist design in their home, a gutter may look out of place especially if it is not personalized. Gutters tend to provide more of a traditional look to houses, which will definitely affect the overall aesthetic of your home if you prefer to maintain a sleek, minimalist look. In addition to this, the downspouts attached to a gutter will require extra work to be incorporated into the structure just to hide it and keep the neat, modern appearance.
Will Warp In Hot Climate
Image from Harry Helmet
Gutters are usually made out of aluminum or stainless steel. Materials made out of stainless steel are susceptible to warping, especially in hot climate countries like the Philippines. Aluminum gutters may be better at keeping their original form under high temperatures, but a low-grade material also has the possibility to warp and affect your home’s exterior design.
The Case For Alulod
Image from Union Gavasteel
Adding gutters to your house design presents a range of both advantages and disadvantages that every homeowner should carefully consider. Gutters are fixtures in your home that are designed to protect your home from water damage. Apart from the installation costs, maintenance, and upkeep of gutters, it is also important to decide whether or not the cons of adding a gutter to your house design outweigh the pros, or vice versa. This way, the installation of the gutter will be based on the specific needs and design preferences of the homeowner.
References
Batterbee Roofing. (2019, July 2). The Pros and Cons of Having Gutters on Your Roof. Batterbee Roofing. Retrieved July 11, 2023, from https://www.batterbeeroofing.com/blog/p.190702000/the-pros-and-cons-of-having-gutters-on-your-roof/
Leahy, K. (2018, March 28). Gutters vs No Gutters: Pros, Cons and Expert Opinion. The SpoutOff. Retrieved July 11, 2023, from https://thespoutoff.com/gutters-vs-no-gutters/
Lon Smith Roofing. (2017, May 11). What is the purpose of the gutters on my home? Lon Smith Roofing. Retrieved July 11, 2023, from https://www.lonsmith.com/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-gutters-on-my-home/
