The 9 different types of gutters in Australia

Posted on 04 Mar 2022

Your gutters are a critical component of your home, and you should have professional types of gutters in Australia and maintenance regularly, just as washing your windows. A well maintained and highly functional gutter system ensures rainwater does not accumulate on your rooftop, thus reducing the chances of potential property damage.

Upward view of a house roofline under a clear sky — a visual reference for the different types of gutters in Australia used to manage rainwater effectively

Gutter systems working in an optimal state also ensure limited mould formation, landscape damage, and basement flooding. Correct installation of your gutter system will prevent water from seeping into the foundation of your property.

However, before installing a gutter system in your home, it is imperative to choose the right style of gutter system.

Choosing an inappropriate gutter system for your property may lead to spending thousands on repairs and maintenance in future. One can easily take hold of this by getting to know the various types of gutter systems available in the market.

You may come across various types of gutters in Australia with unique styles, shapes, colours, and other characteristics. Each type of gutter system has its own pros and cons. Therefore, you must focus on getting to know the different gutter systems available in the market before you get to installation.

In this guide, Paul’s Cleaning Company (Melbourne) lists the four most common types of gutters in Australia. They could come in different manufacturing, be it metal, plastic, concrete, or terracotta.

Read on to learn how each type of gutter functions and its individual benefits.

Quad gutters

Quad gutters – also known as â€œDâ€ gutters – combine with existing gutters and can be easily integrated with your roofing or plumbing system, according to experts Check A Roof. Such gutter systems are available in a wide variety of thicknesses and shapes.

Additionally, they are also available with or without slots. Slotted quad gutters are popular among homeowners because they can handle the overflow in places with more rainfall.

Quad gutters typically come in galvanised steel.

Square gutters

As the name suggests, square gutters feature an asymmetrical appearance. These square-shaped gutters are highly capable of handling fluids in large quantities. Since square gutters are available in a wide variety of colours, you can choose the one suitable for your house.

Square gutters are commonly manufactured with galvanised ZINCALUMEÂ® Stainless Steel COLORBOND Stainless Steel.

Box gutters

Box gutters are either rounded or irregular in shape. Such types of gutters are usually between two separate sections of the roof edges. Most historic buildings – built in the 20th century or before – generally have box gutters in place.

However, box gutters are also quite popular these days among commercial buildings. Residential properties having wall roofing should consider this gutter to obtain optimal drainage.

When restoring historic buildings to their original splendour, box gutters are the most efficient choice for the project. Box gutters do not appear directly from the ground, making them perfect for modern architecture.

Round gutters

Round gutters – also known as half-round gutters – resemble a semi-circle. Such a gutter type has an open half facing the roof that is either completely semi-circular or straight. Smooth line gutters are like half-round gutters except that the front has flat surfaces.

Due to their wide diameter, round gutters can handle large water volumes effectively. The C-shaped foundation also helps avoid leaves and other debris from entering the gutters, making them ideal for houses surrounding trees.

Deep flow gutters

These are pretty much the same as round gutters, but have more volume

Concealed gutters

Concealed gutters – also known as internal fixed gutters – are fixed behind the fascia. Fascia boards or surfaces are not attached to the exterior and are completely hidden. Hence, you cannot view them directly from the ground.

Concealed gutters are typically used in commercial premises and can be easily hidden behind banners, advertising signage, light fixtures, and surveillance camera panels on the facade.

With concealed gutters, property owners can keep gutters pipes away from their client’s eyes and only make the facade visible.

Half round quadrant gutters

Half-round quadrant gutters are quite popular in most of Melbourne’s modern and prestigious buildings. Such a gutter type features a curved base with a highly functional and aesthetic design.

Half-round quadrant gutters can automatically block sludge and mud, ensuring the system is clean and clear during rainfall. These gutter profiles have either slits or no slits. Using half-round quadrant gutters can also help reduce the risk of flooding. Such gutter types are usually constructed of zinc and colourbond steel.

Ogee gutters

Ogee gutters resemble a curved S shape and are quite unique among other gutter styles. The curvatures of this gutter type make it ideal for residential properties with a character and offer a more unique look.

Installing an ogee gutter in your house will definitely make an impression. However, this gutter style is installed for more than just aesthetic purposes. Ogee gutters are best for draining water through pipes and can ensure the overall cleanliness of your roof.

In terms of materials, Ogee gutters are manufactured with Colorbond or zincalume steel.

Sheerline gutters

Sheerline gutters are perfect for home renovations because they can fit under the roofs of existing structures. The concealed fastening feature of the sheerline gutter provides exceptional durability, thus ensuring a longer lifespan.

Such gutter types are designed for a smooth and clean finish. Sheerline gutters are often found in a garden or shed. For sheerline gutters, you can consider installing a high-profile roof on the low-profile ground.

The properties of the sheerline gutters make it one of the best alternatives to traditionally framed roofs requiring a substantial amount of drainage. Such gutter types are accessible with slots or without slots, and the installation process is easy. Sheerline gutters can be used with various types of roof tiles available in the market.

The most FAQS for different types of gutters in Australia

Q: Which gutter profile is best?

A: Honestly, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here, mate! It really depends on your home and what you’re dealing with. Quad gutters are absolutely brilliant for most Aussie homes – they’ve got a great capacity and look pretty smart too. If you’ve got a heritage-style place, half-round gutters might be more your vibe as they suit that classic look beautifully. For modern homes, box or square-line gutters give a sleek, contemporary finish. The main thing is matching the gutter’s capacity to your roof size and how much rain your area typically cops. A good rule of thumb? Bigger roof or higher rainfall means you’ll want a profile that can handle more water flow.

Q: What are the best gutters for heavy rain in Australia?

A: Living in Australia, you’ll definitely want gutters that can handle our intense downpours! Colorbond steel gutters are an absolute winner – they’re tough as nails, won’t rust easily, and come in loads of colours to match your home. For sheer water-handling capacity, quad gutters or box gutters are your best bet. If you’re in an area that gets absolutely hammered with rain (looking at you, tropical north!), consider oversized gutters or even a double gutter system. Zincalume is another ripper choice if you want something durable and cost-effective. Don’t forget about proper downpipe placement too – even the best gutters will overflow if the water’s got nowhere to go quickly enough.

Q: What’s the difference between an eavestrough and a gutter?

A: Here’s a fun fact for you – there’s actually no difference at all! “Eavestrough” is just what our Canadian mates call gutters. It’s the same thing, just a different word. Here in Australia, we almost always say “gutter” or sometimes “roof gutter” if we’re being specific. So if you hear someone mention eavestroughs and get a bit confused, don’t worry – they’re just talking about the channel that catches rainwater from your roof. It’s like how Americans say “sidewalk” and we say “footpath” – same thing, different vocabulary.

Q: What is the easiest type of gutter to install?

A: If you’re keen on a DIY project, vinyl or PVC gutters are definitely the most beginner-friendly option. They’re lightweight, snap together fairly easily, and you won’t need fancy tools to cut them to size. Aluminium gutters are another good shout – they’re still pretty light and straightforward to work with. That said, I’d really recommend getting a professional in for gutter installation, especially here in Australia where getting it wrong can mean serious water damage during our heavy rains. If you do decide to have a crack at it yourself, make sure you’ve got the right fall (slope) sorted – about 1-2mm per metre towards the downpipes. And please, be safe on that ladder.

Conclusion for types of gutters

When it comes to roofing and rainwater management, there is no one-size-fits-all approach – every house has different needs that require a unique solution! If you are unsure about professional gutter cleaning costs and contemplating the best gutter style for your property, a professional roofing contractor can help you make the right decision. Just request your service and get your instant quote from our experts.