Eavestrough (what most of the world calls gutters) is one of the most critical drainage systems on your home. Despite its modest profile, a properly designed and maintained eavestrough system protects your foundation, siding, landscaping, and basement from water damage that can cost tens of thousands to repair. Here's everything you need to know.
Types of Eavestrough
The two main profiles in residential installation:
- K-Style (ogee): The most common residential profile in Ontario. Has a flat back and bottom with an S-shaped front profile. Handles high water volume efficiently. Available in 4", 5", and 6" widths — most homes use 5".
- Half-Round: A semicircular profile that was standard on older homes before the 1960s. Less efficient than K-style for water volume but aesthetically preferable on heritage and traditional homes. Requires round downspouts.
Nearly all new residential construction in Kitchener-Waterloo uses K-style seamless eavestrough. If your home has half-round gutters from original construction, replacement with matching half-round is preferable for heritage homes.
Sizing Your Eavestrough Correctly
Undersized eavestrough is one of the most common installation mistakes. The correct size depends on:
- Roof area: The total area of roof draining to each gutter run
- Roof pitch: Steeper roofs shed water faster, requiring higher-capacity gutters
- Rainfall intensity: Southern Ontario experiences heavy summer thunderstorms — typically 100mm/hour peak intensity
General sizing guidelines for Ontario:
- 4" K-style: Suitable for roof areas under 50m² with moderate pitch — rarely adequate for Ontario homes
- 5" K-style: The standard for most Ontario residential homes — handles approximately 75–90m² roof area
- 6" K-style: Required for large roof areas, steep pitches, or commercial applications
Material Options
| Material | Lifespan | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | 20–30 years | Rust-free, lightweight, wide colour range, affordable | Can dent; doesn't handle extreme impact |
| Galvanized Steel | 15–25 years | Strong, dent-resistant | Rusts over time; heavier than aluminum |
| Copper | 50+ years | Extremely durable, ages beautifully, adds value | High cost; requires professional installation |
| Vinyl/PVC | 10–15 years | Very affordable, DIY-friendly | Brittle in cold; fades; not recommended for Ontario |
The vast majority of residential eavestrough installation in Ontario uses seamless aluminum. It strikes the best balance of durability, cost, and low maintenance. Copper is an excellent upgrade option for homeowners prioritizing longevity and aesthetics.
"Vinyl eavestrough was never a good choice for Ontario — it becomes brittle at -20°C and typically fails within the first serious ice storm. We never install vinyl on residential homes."
— D&D Home Services Installation Team
Installation Standards
What separates a quality eavestrough installation from a poor one:
- Pitch: Minimum ¼ inch per 10 feet toward downspouts — insufficient pitch causes standing water and accelerated corrosion
- Hanger spacing: Maximum 600mm (24") in typical conditions; 300–450mm near areas with significant snow/ice loading
- Downspout placement: One downspout per 12–15 metres of gutter in normal conditions; more frequent placement for high-pitch or high-volume areas
- End caps and joints: All joints sealed with gutter sealant — not just mechanically joined
- Fascia attachment: Installed to fascia board, not directly to rafter tails — fascia must be sound and dry before installation
- Overhang placement: Gutter positioned under the roofing material to catch all drip — typically positioned so the front edge aligns with the lower third of the roofing material overhang
Maintenance Requirements
With a quality aluminum installation, eavestrough maintenance is straightforward:
- Clean 2x per year (spring and fall) for typical homes
- Visual inspection after major storms
- Re-sealant on joints every 7–10 years as original sealant ages
- Hanger inspection and tightening every 5 years
When to Repair vs. Replace
- Repair: Separated joints, single cracked sections, one or two sagging areas, failed end caps — all repairable at low cost
- Replace: System-wide rust or corrosion, multiple sections pulling away from fascia, improper original sizing, 20+ year old galvanized system
Eavestrough Cost Guide (Ontario, 2025)
Typical Eavestrough Costs in Kitchener-Waterloo
- 5" seamless aluminum: $8–$14 per linear foot installed
- 6" seamless aluminum: $11–$18 per linear foot installed
- Copper (half-round or K): $25–$45 per linear foot installed
- Average home replacement (50–70 lin ft): $600–$1,200
- Annual cleaning: $150–$300 for average home
- Gutter guards addition: +$8–$30 per linear foot
