Question 1

Where is Duragutter made?

Accepted Answer

Duragutter is produced in Florida and Texas, and we source other parts from all over the US.

Question 2

Do you have a distributor and/or installer near me?

Accepted Answer

Currently we stock material in Boston MA and Seattle WA, and ship from those locations. Shipping small orders (under 200’) can be expensive to other parts of the country, but we often combine orders in the same general location to reduce shipping expenses.  We have an in-house crew that installs in New England (including New York), and will occasionally travel further for large projects.  Any competent tradesperson can install Duragutter by following our detailed instructions.  We are always happy to provide additional consultation.

Question 3

What is Duragutter made of?

Accepted Answer

Duragutter is extruded from 1/8” thick T4 aluminum.  It is ten times thicker than a “roll formed” seamless gutter, making it the strongest gutter on the market.

Question 4

What is the finish?

Accepted Answer

The coating is a high-performance IFS 400SD powder-coat, a certified green product by SCS global.  The finish has a ten-year warranty for color and gloss retention. It meets  and exceeds the performance requirements of AAMA 2604. It can easily be field painted following our instructions.

Question 5

How long are the pieces?

Accepted Answer

Duragutter lengths range from 24'6 to 29' depending on the profile.  Longer lengths are possible, but there may be limitations on finishing options. Sections are joined together with invisible connecting pins (see installation).

Question 6

How are the joints handled?

Accepted Answer

Joints are made with invisible connecting pins then covered with supplied pre-cut pieces of butyl tape (see installation).

Question 7

How long has Duragutter been in the field?

Accepted Answer

The first installation was made in 2012 and shows no signs of wear.

Question 8

How is Duragutter different than fiberglass gutter

Accepted Answer

Duragutter is stronger, easier to assemble, and has a built-in leaf guard and flashing.  The connecting pin system allows parts to be pre-assembled on the ground before installing.  The powder-coat finish is less subject to fading than gelcoat, and does not need to be painted.  The authentic profile and internal seal blocks enable Duragutter to be mitered into rake moldings of any pitch.  In addition, wood trim can be screwed directly into the top flange, allowing a variety of built-in details.  Because aluminum is stronger the fiberglass, a variety of profiles can be accomplished in aluminum that would be too fragile in fiberglass.

Question 9

Can I install Duragutter myself?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you will need a 12” compound miter saw with an aluminum cutting blade.  In New England, we have dedicated installers that are highly trained. It is generally less expensive and simpler to use our installers.  We ship nationwide and to Canada, and for large projects (over 500’) our installation crew will travel to your site.

Question 10

What type of installer should I use?

Accepted Answer

We think it's most cost-effective (on new construction) to have the siding/exterior trim contractor install the gutters.  They will have already set up staging to do the trim, which saves setup by a separate gutter crew.  In addition, a good trim contractor will know how to do  precise work.  We generally don't recommend gutter contractors or roofers unless they also have experience with finish carpentry.   Installing Duragutter is more like installing crown molding than installing standard gutters.  On existing homes we again suggest having a carpenter/contractor experienced in finish exterior carpentry.

Question 11

I have wood gutters; can I repair them with Duragutter?

Accepted Answer

Although Duragutter is an exact match to the most common wood gutters on older homes, there is no way to make a waterproof joint between the old wood gutter and Duragutter.  The best option is to replace all the wood gutters.

Question 12

Can you make curved gutters?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Duragutter is far too thick to curve on-site, but it can be curved to almost any radius in the factory.  Lead time for radius gutters is a minimum of one month.

Question 13

Is Duragutter approved by historic commissions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Duragutter has never been rejected by a historic commission, and has been approved on numerous historic landmarks and buildings on the National Register.

Question 14

Which is the best/correct profile for my project?

Accepted Answer

The choice is determined by both your functional and aesthetic requirements.   The functional criteria are the roof area and pitch, and the distance that the existing (or planned) roofing overlaps the gutter.  For example, if the existing roofing overlaps the fascia by 3", you will need a gutter that projects out further so the water doesn't overshoot the gutter.  Steep roofs may require larger gutters because the gutter fills faster. The number and size of the downspouts also correlates to the gutter size- fewer downspouts means larger gutters.

Gutter shape and size are also key aesthetic considerations, as they are a highly visible line that defines the roof edge.  On traditional buildings  the gutters may interface with other trim elements.  On modern designs, the gutters may be concealed, or stand as visible design elements.

We can provide a range of consulting services to help you choose the correct profile.  Our services include quantity take-offs, cut plans, historical analysis, sizing, and sections/detailing.  Architects can download CAD and 3D models for visualization. Send us your photos or drawings to begin the conversation.

Question 15

Do you provide technical assistance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we are happy to consult, and often work with architects and builders in the planning stages to develop custom details.  We can provide CAD drawings and even 3D printed models if needed.

Question 16

Do you do custom shapes?

Accepted Answer

We can usually make one of our ten profiles work for almost any detail.  However, if you have very unique requirements, we can make custom extrusions.  This is only cost-effective on large projects and involves a minimum lead time of two months.

Frequently asked questions