Advantages and disadvantages of plastic gutters
Any capital structure must have a drainage system. Streams of water during rain, uncontrollably flowing from the roof, can destroy even the strongest base and spoil the exterior wall decoration. To avoid this, a drainage system is installed along the perimeter of the roof.
There are different options for the design of gutters, and to figure out which gutter is better - plastic or metal, you need to familiarize yourself with their features.
Consider advantages plastic gutters:
- plastic products are lightweight. They are recommended to be installed on old wooden houses, where the rafter system is already quite worn out;
- ease of installation. Due to its light weight, PVC gutter systems are easy to mount alone. Any landlord will cope with such work without engaging wage workers;
- plastic is not subject to corrosion and perfectly resists aggressive compounds. Unlike metal systems, plastic elements do not need additional protection. They calmly cope with large volumes of water without losing their smooth surface;
- plastic well dampens the sound of drops. Even in the most severe downpours, the noise from the gutter is practically inaudible;
- Plastic drainage systems are available in various colors. Choosing the right shade for the overall color scheme of the structure is not a problem;
- if the drain is contaminated with leaves and other debris, it is enough to spill it with water from the hose;
- service life of plastic drains 25 years;
- universality. Factories produce plastic gutters for all types of roofs with different slope angles;
- suppliers always have a large selection of standard elements from which you can assemble a complete drainage system for any building.
TO disadvantages plastic gutters include:
- fragility. Plastic does not withstand severe snow and ice loads. In winter, at low temperatures and under the yoke of snow, gutters and pipes often crack and break;
- change in size with a change in temperature. Plastic products shrink at minus values and expand in the heat. To compensate for this effect, rubber seals are provided;
- weak bearing capacity of fasteners. In order for the drainage to withstand average snow and rain loads, the fasteners are placed with a small pitch (300-400 mm);
- burnout. PVC kits lose their original color under sunlight. This problem is often observed from the south side, which is most illuminated by the sun.
Types, pros and cons of metal systems
Metal drainage systems are considered a classic option. Iron gutters and pipes are installed when they want a reliable and durable solution for removing rainfall. Modern industry produces several types of metal gutters.
Steel galvanized gutters
Galvanized steel products have a long history, and still remain popular and in demand, primarily because of their low cost and reliability.
In almost every village there are craftsmen who will cut and bend any elements of the drainage system from ordinary galvanized sheet: pipes, gutters, receiving funnels and branch bends.
For the production of drainage elements, a sheet with a thickness of 0.6 mm is used. This size allows you to create parts with sufficient strength. If you take a thicker metal, the products will turn out to be excessively heavy and excessively strong.
The service life of galvanized drains is about 30 years, but there are conditions that reduce this figure. Zinc coating is easy to break. Scratches, attachment points, and holes cause corrosion. Places in which there has been a violation of the integrity of the galvanized surface must be immediately coated with paint.
Also, the cons of galvanized gutters include excessive sonorous material when it gets raindrops.
Steel systems with aluzinc
These systems are reminiscent of the previous ones, but in addition to zinc, aluminum is also added to protect the steel sheet. Aluminum additive increases the service life of drainage elements, increases corrosion resistance and increases the resistance of the upper layer to mechanical damage.
Aluzinc (aluzinc) coating gives gutters and pipes a more expensive and noble appearance. In addition, in addition to the listed advantages, such systems cope well with the effects of acid precipitation and ultraviolet radiation, and are immune to temperature jumps.
The only drawback of aluzinc gutters is the price. They are much more expensive than standard galvanized systems, but the cost is offset by positive qualities.
Polymer coated steel
Another type of steel drainage system. In this case, polymers are used to protect the steel sheet from corrosion and mechanical damage.
Coverage is carried out in several layers. Polyvinyl chloride, pural and polyester are used as polymer protection. Layers are applied both on the outside of the element and on the inside, with the outer layer being more decorative in nature and the inner one bearing the main load.
The shades of coatings are universal, for each roof color they can be selected on the RAL scale. Each type of coating has its advantages and disadvantages:
- inexpensive polyester does not fade in the sun, but weakly protects the base from mechanical stress;
- polyester with teflon increases the life of the product, but its palette is limited only to gray;
- Pural belongs to the middle price category. It perfectly protects the metal from ultraviolet radiation and looks very noble;
- PVC coating is inexpensive, but poorly protected from temperature extremes and has a short service life.
Aluminum systems
Light and durable aluminum drainage systems are rarely purchased - their cost is several times higher than the price of the usual galvanized products, and the appearance, although more noble, still does not reach the more serious copper systems.
The main advantage of aluminum is the ability to self-repair. Any scratches and damage will be delayed over time by the oxide layer.
Aluminum gutters and pipes are lighter than similar steel products, so they can be made from a thicker sheet, which will significantly increase the service life. Like all metals, aluminum is "noisy" and does not save the owners' ears in heavy rain.
Copper systems
A review of metal drains ends with the most expensive and reliable systems - copper. Copper drains serve as long as the building itself stands, while initially bright, reddish metal is covered with a patina over time, acquiring an elegant and expensive appearance.
Disadvantages of this material, in addition to cost, no. All metal gutters are characterized by common advantages:
- strength;
- durability;
- immunity to temperature extremes.
The disadvantages of metal systems include:
- low corrosion resistance;
- weight;
- inability to absorb noise;
- increased thermal conductivity.
What is better to choose and in what cases
And yet, which is better - a drain made of plastic or metal? There is no single answer. Each system is suitable for specific operating conditions. It is also important to consider the financial capabilities of building owners.
To determine which gutter to choose, metal or plastic, you need to conduct a comparative analysis, taking into account the following criteria:
- The gutter must cope with the estimated rain and snow load for this climate zone.
- According to aesthetic parameters, the system is selected for the general exterior of the building, taking into account the color of the roof and walls.
- To assess their own capabilities, before purchasing materials, the necessary number of drainage elements and fasteners should be calculated. Based on the received volume and the maximum allowable budget allocated to the drain, the owner will determine which system fits into the given parameters.
- For houses located in coastal areas with saturated salt fumes in the air, it is best to choose plastic drains. Plastic, unlike steel products, is not subject to corrosion.
- In northern areas with sharp temperature changes and high snow loads, it is preferable to use metal systems complete with snow retainers.
- The material of the roof also affects the choice of drainage. For metal tiles or corrugated sheets, it is better to choose metal drains, and for roofs made of soft materials - PVC.
- Expensive copper or aluminum systems should not be installed on a budget roof. Conversely, galvanized pipes and gutters will look strange on an expensive roof.
In general, the owner of the cottage or cottage needs to be guided by their financial capabilities, proposals from local suppliers, taste and climatic conditions in the area of the house installation.