Your home will always be equipped with gutters because they are essential for redirecting the rain that accumulates on your roof. Since these gutters are so noticeable, you may be wondering how to match them with the rest of the house. Should you blend gutters with the roof or accentuate gutters against the siding? We have carefully researched if the gutters should match your roof or siding.
Your gutters can freely match the roof of your house, the siding, or the trim based on your personal preferences. However, each of these choices will result in a very different look for your home. You will need to decide if you want the gutters to be hidden or highlighted. When gutters match the roof or siding, they often blend in and remain hidden. If your gutters match the trim, they can stand out as a deliberate frame for design purposes.
Gutters are a necessity, but they can also make an impact on the appearance of your home. Keep reading to learn if your gutters should be lighter or darker, which colors are most popular, and how you should manage painting your gutters.
Matching the Roof
Gutters are already an extension of the roof, so this option can feel very natural. It is often a popular approach when your home is aiming for a more modern design. Modern styles tend to focus on minimalist appearances.
This means that there should be very clean lines and décor that is not elaborate. As a result, the majority of these homes do not have any trim on the exterior walls. Those extra layers would conflict with the smooth and sleek look of a typical modern style.
If your gutters match the roof, you will reinforce the simplicity of your home. You can reduce the number of additions to your home’s exterior, as a result.
On the other hand, you can also use the gutters to deliberately draw attention to a roof without much visibility. If you purchased an expensive, flashy roof, then matching the gutters will highlight the special material. This is usually ideal if you have an appropriate budget, to begin with.
Matching the Siding
Sometimes, the roof is not always visible enough for the gutters to actually blend in. For example, if the roof is too tall, then the gutters will hang over and become more noticeable. If your goal is to keep the gutters hidden, you should try to match your gutters with your home's siding.
The siding is simply your exterior walls, so it is always the background for your gutters. So, if these two match, then the gutters will remain almost completely unnoticeable. However, the exterior walls of your house are often the largest opportunity to add a unique style of your own.
As such, it may not always be easy to match your gutters with the exterior walls. This is especially true for particular designs, such as farmhouses, beach houses, or cabin-style scenes.
Matching the Trim
The trim on your home refers to the lining around your windows and doors. Matching the gutters with these features will allow your gutters to stand out without actually imposing on the home's exterior design.
Generally, it is best if your trim is already a highlighted feature. The gutters will then feel like a clean, intentional border between the siding and the roof. This is particularly helpful if you want to bridge colors that aren’t within two to three shades of each other.
Gutters that match your trim can also be used to create more elaborate scenes. That’s because they can act as an additional framing device for décor on the exterior of your home.
And if your roof is clearly visible, matching your gutters with the trim can create a clear foundation of contrast. It can become another way to show off your expensive roof and even balance it out.
Should gutters be lighter or darker?
The temperature of your gutters should match the overall design style of your home. As such, it can be either lighter or darker. Still, lighter gutters are often the most popular choice.
This is because homeowners tend to prefer brighter colors for the siding. And again, matching the siding with the gutters makes them blend together. You can read the post "What Color Gutters For A White House?" for tips on working with traditional white siding.
Also, lighter colors are going to be more reflective. This can be useful in areas frequently subjected to a lot of sunlight. In fact, a hot neutral like white can even make the space appear larger than it actually is because white has the ability to reflect all colors. This can be used to make your roof appear taller and wider, very handy when your home is smaller than you would prefer.
Do black gutters show dirt?
Darker gutters are always less likely to show any accumulated dirt or natural wear and tear. This is desirable when your home is often subjected to rough weather that carries a lot of dirt and grime, such as storms.
But keep in mind that any dark gutters are likely going to create a dramatic contrast. Even if the gutters match your trim, most dark exterior colors will draw a lot of attention.
The only way to keep black gutters from popping too much is in a modern scene. That’s because modern styles tend to use a lot of black and gray. This will soften the impact of black or other dark gutters. You can read the post "What Color Gutters Go With A Black Roof?" if you are aiming for a successful modern style.
What is the most popular gutter color?
White is the most popular color for gutters. White is neutral. Neutrals are absent of any real color, but this makes them highly flexible. This is absolutely essential if you want your gutters to go largely unnoticed.
It is also very useful when you want to restyle. You won’t have to repaint the gutters every time you change the appearance of your home. And a white gutter is also reflective enough to brighten up the house exterior without feeling too overwhelming.
It can even make any area feel larger than it actually is. This is why white is frequently applied in nearly every interior design. There are multiple shades of white to choose from, using undertones to adjust the temperature around any given décor.
Is painting gutters a good idea?
Yes, there are many benefits to painting your gutters. You will be able to style your home as you see fit, but paint can also be a practical addition. Painting the gutters will often provide more protection from harsh conditions outside, such as persistent sunlight or rain.
Adding paint will therefore prolong the lifespan of your gutters. It will also make the gutters much easier to clean, which is frequently necessary because gutters are exposed and designed to catch things.
Some paint can even help prevent rusting, which can be essential for traditional aluminum gutters. Rust will break down the existing paint until it chips, making the gutters unappealing and highly noticeable. Rust may even harm the durability of the gutters.
What kind of paint do you use on gutters?
Firstly, you need to determine what material your gutters are. Some paints are more effective or helpful with different materials, such as typical plastic or aluminum gutters.
Overall, oil-based paints tend to be thicker and more durable. This means you won’t need to apply as many layers of paint. But acrylic paints are also considered ideal for gutters. Even though acrylic paint is water-based, its bonding agent compensates for that.
Either way, the paint you choose should not include ammonia. When ammonia mixes with oxidized aluminum, it is known to cause bubbles across the surface of your paint.
How long does paint last on gutters?
The actual lifespan of your painted gutters will be determined by your preparation. You need to consider the material, paint colors, and environment. Typically, painted gutters can last for years if prepared correctly.
You will need to avoid colors and materials that are weak to your home’s natural environment. You should consider if the gutters will be subjected to more rain, snow, or sunlight. For example, a white paint job is ideal to reflect excessive UV rays. Gutters that are not properly prepared may lose their paint within just a couple of months.
Summary
Gutters may sometimes feel like a mundane necessity, but they have a noticeable effect on your home’s appearance. It’s important to understand their relationship with the siding, roof, and trim of your home. Now that you can select the ideal paint, and match the gutters as desired, you can create a practical and appealing scene that fits your own personality.