For any structure, properly installed roof gutters are the key to protecting your roof and your foundation long-term. To get this quality protection, you need roofers who understand two things. First, they need a deep understanding of the differences between residential and commercial rain gutters. And second, they have to know Florida’s weather patterns and local roofing best practices.
That’s us. PITCH Roofing is a full-service roofing company that handles everything from new roof construction to commercial roof replacements. Today, we’re walking through your options and our recommendations for your commercial rain gutters in Florida. But first, let’s talk about the main difference between residential and commercial gutters.
Residential vs. Commercial Rain Gutters
Whether you’re installing new gutters for a home or commercial property, you will have a lot of options to choose from: seamless or segmented gutters, different types of guttering materials, etc. But while all of these decisions are crucial, none of them is what sets residential and commercial rain gutters apart.
In fact, the biggest difference between residential and commercial gutters is their respective sizes. Gutter sizes can vary, but generally speaking, most Florida homes have gutters that are about 5” in width. Commercial rain gutters, on the other hand, are usually 6” wide.
That’s due to two important factors. First, commercial roofs are usually larger, which means more rain is moving off your roof. The wider your gutters, the faster your roof can drain and prevent ponding and other forms of water damage.
The second reason is that most residential roofs are sloped, whereas commercial roofs are almost always flat. Flat roofs have a harder time removing water, and helping move things along with wider gutters goes a long way in keeping your roof in top condition.
This is the general idea behind commercial rain gutters. Now, let’s talk about what you can expect when you choose PITCH Roofing for your gutter installation.
Installing New Commercial Rain Gutters in Florida
While some homeowners can DIY their gutters, we don’t recommend installing your own commercial rain gutters. Not only could you injure yourself, but any minor mistake will make your roof drastically more vulnerable to storm damage due to the difficulty that flat roofs have with draining.
Instead, you’re better off getting professional gutter installation services. Not only can you be confident that your gutters were installed correctly, but you get the advantage of insights from experienced Florida roofers. To show you what we mean, let’s talk about some of the considerations you’ll need to make to pick the right industrial-strength gutters for your structure.
Accounting for UV Rays
People often assume that tropical storms are the biggest threat to their gutters. But while hurricane-force winds are a threat, Florida’s year-round UV exposure is a much bigger concern. The sun can break down any gutter system over time, but if you pick the right materials, you can make your gutters last significantly longer.
Let’s take vinyl gutters for example. Made of hardened PVC, these gutters will noticeably degrade as a result of sun damage. This degradation can range from faded paint to serious cracks throughout your gutters. These cracks then let water drip out away from your downspouts and near your structure’s foundation, defeating the purpose of getting commercial rain gutters in the first place.
Aluminum gutters are an entirely different story. Unlike with vinyl, UV rays can’t make aluminum more brittle over time and lead to cracks and leaks. While no gutter material is 100% immune to the sun, aluminum does a much better job at withstanding solar rays than vinyl.
Hurricane-force Winds
While high winds aren’t the biggest threat to your gutters, they still pose a danger. Winds can tear down parts of your gutters, which can require a partial gutter replacement to fix. They can also loosen your gutter’s fasteners slowly over time. In this way, serious gutter problems can sneak up on you even outside of hurricane season.
When it comes to withstanding tropical storms, vinyl gutters are a tough sell. While they can handle our usual summer afternoon storms without issue, these gutters are extremely lightweight. As a result, it only takes relatively light winds to bend and break these gutters, leading to a lot more headaches than necessary.
Metal gutters are heavier, which makes them harder for high winds to move. This means they stay in place longer, providing you with extra years of protection. In Florida, standard options for metal guttering materials include aluminum, Galvalume steel, and copper.
Price
Every property owner is concerned about price when discussing roof work. And for good reason — you need to know that you’re getting a fair price and making a good investment. However, because gutter installation costs are so individualized, it’s hard to tell you exactly how much you can expect to pay.
But we can still give you an idea of how much commercial rain gutters cost. While many factors will influence your total costs, the biggest thing to consider is your material. Here are some rough price guidelines to outline how much new commercial gutters could cost you:
- Vinyl: $3 to $7 per linear foot
- Aluminum: $5 to $14 per linear foot
- Galvalume Steel: $9 to $15 per linear foot
- Copper: $18 to $40 per linear foot
When working with reliable roofing professionals, you’ll never be left in the dark on pricing. At PITCH, we provide up-front, itemized gutter installation cost estimates to make sure you know where every cent is going. This gives you peace of mind that you’re getting a complete, quality guttering system with transparent pricing!
Get a Free Estimate for Commercial Rain Gutters
Ahead of installing any commercial rain gutters, reputable roofers will provide you with a quote. If they’re the real deal, this will be 100% free and come with no obligation to pick them as your roofers. This allows them to go over your options with you and prepare quotes on any commercial guttering systems that you’re considering.
For your free gutter installation quote, call us at 727-677-4824 or fill out our contact form online. As tried and true Florida roofers, we know how to install a commercial guttering system that’s tailored to the local weather patterns as well as your needs. No matter your vision or your budget, you can count on our crew to always provide Roofing Done Right!
Heather Ware is an In-House Roofing Specialist at PITCH Roofing. Working daily alongside our internal roofing teams, she translates complex Florida building codes and roofing techniques into clear, actionable advice for homeowners. With 4 years of experience in the Florida roofing industry, her goal is to ensure property owners have the exact facts they need to protect their investments.
