Gutter replacement — justifying cost of half-round

[csnyder]

Our house is in need of new gutters (old galvanized half-round were rusted through), and we're agonizing over which style to go with. We're going to go with aluminum — copper would be too expensive, as well as out of character for our otherwise understated exterior. The question is whether to go with half-round, as they have been for the past 96 years, or with the cheaper K-style.

We've received quotes from a reputable supplier for $1400 for 5" K-style, $4000 for 6" half-round with 2x3" rectangular downspouts (as the house had most recently), or $4700 for half-round with 4" round downspouts (as the house had originally). The choice is really between the upper and lower quotes — I don't see much point in paying the extra for half-round but then skimping on the downspouts, even if a PO (likely the daughter of the original owner) felt differently.

I'd really like to do the half-round, but my wife is unconvinced that the extra $3300 is worth it.We've reached the point where she's given me the go-ahead to do the half-round if I really want to, but she still thinks it's frivolous. One point that she's made, which I don't contest, is that most people don't notice gutters; I think that the wrong gutters, however, will make things look "off". In the case of our house (click on the picture in my sig for more/bigger pictures), the gutters hang below the edge of the roof by a couple of inches, and there's crown molding against the fascia. Since K-style gutters are intended to be flush against the fascia, substituting for crown molding, I think that K-style hanging off of the roof would look very strange.

My wife has been gracious to give me the flexibility, but now I feel additional pressure to make sure that I'm not wasting our money. Will K-style look as strange as I think it will, or might it actually look okay? Thanks in advance!

[Daniel Meyer]

Pictures!

Looking at the pics at the link in your sig...I could see the standard style being fine. The house is squared off style and they are way up there...

[csnyder]

Two from last month:



1937 (original gutters, I'm assuming):


Unfortunately, I didn't think to take any close-ups of the gutters, and I can't get them now, as the gutters were removed when the house got a new roof two weeks ago.

[triguy128]

How much extra are half rounds?

I tend to agree abouve, that it won;t affect the exterior with the shape of the house ad color combinations.

[airgrabber]

Half-round gutters are what is era-correct for the house, and they will accentuate the roofline and character details that the K-profile gutters will hide. My copper half-round gutters are original from ~1921 and, although not in great shape, really add the finishing classic detail that old houses (such as yours) deserve.

[Sombreuil_Mongrel]

If you go for the half-round, please also go for the round downspout. The square leaders would look incongruous.
Casey

[cs]

I'm with Airgrabber. And Casey is right, IMO, too. "Everyone" might not notice, but if it were my house, it would bug me every time I looked at it, particularly if it was a choice that I knew was right, but allowed myself to be talked out of.

Chris
http://www.saracenihouse.com

[JRC]

Someone put K-style gutters on my house in the past, and I don't like them. Although, considering the price difference ( ) I can't blame them.

Here are a couple shots from when I first looked at my house. You can see the original molding detail hiding behind the square back of the gutters.

[pqtex]

Here's a way I simplify (justify) purchases...amortize out the cost...

I'd really like to do the half-round, but my wife is unconvinced that the extra $3300 is worth it

Your original gutters lasted 96 years. If your new ones last only last 50 years, that extra $3300 only costs you $66 a year for what you really want.

And by golly, if you are lucky enough they last the full 96 years, they cost you a mere hair over $34 a year extra!

[Don M]

Go for the half round; I replaced those on my house & barn. Mine are heavy galvanized metal with round downspouts & are correct for my 1830-40s buildings. The K style just don't look right on older buildings. The cost over time makes less a difference & if you get heavy snow & ice the K style seem to suffer more damage in my experience.