Planning Guide | duragutter

GUIDE TO PLANNING & INSTALLATION

Learn about Duragutter and get a quote

Explore our Traditional and Modern styles and browse

our project gallery to see what you can accomplish with our extruded aluminum gutters.

Use our planning guide to understand the system and

get a quote.

We are happy to offer architectural consultation to

best meet your functional and aesthetic requirements.

Common FAQ's

Get a Quote

Installation

Use our New England based installation team, or have your team install, guided by our detailed written and video instructions.

All profiles use the same patented system of hidden connectors, pre-cut tape kits to seal joints, and simple fastening with no internal brackets.

For detailed installation instructions, select your profile below, as installation varies slightly:

Traditional: OG-5, OG-6, FB, GR

Modern: SQ, TR, WG, KE, TL

Planning Guide: How to get a quote

Please get in touch with the following information, and we will promptly quote your project:

Architectural drawings and/or photos with rough measurements that show the intended location of gutters. Is the project an existing building or new construction?

Corner and end conditions: Do the gutters return at the corners, meet a piece of trim, butt into a wall, remain exposed as an architectural element, or other?

Interface with cladding, trim and roofing: Are you trying to reproduce a historic detail? Do you want to conceal the gutter behind your trim or cladding? Let us know about any relevant design details.

Installation: Do you want to use our New England based installation team, or have your team cover installation?

We will specify all the parts you need based on the specific requirements of your project, but it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with the system to understand the various options.

We work with architects, contractors, and homeowners to determine the best gutter style and architectural details for your project. These details include the building style and specific interfaces with the exterior cladding, roofing, and trim.

Once these details are decided on, we can provide a quote with the gutters, parts and accessories required.

Scroll down to see the complete system, including parts and accessories.

UNDERSTANDING THE DURAGUTTER SYSTEM

Overview:

Duragutter comes in lengths from 24' - 29' which are field cut and joined with a system of concealed pins. The pins are glued into internal keyways to enable a flush outside face with no visible connectors. Joints are quickly and easily sealed with supplied precut pieces of TPO peel-and-stick tape.

Tip: When figuring how many gutter lengths you need, create a cut plan to optimize stock and location of joints.

Gutter Lengths

Installing Duragutter is similar to installing wood trim- long pieces are field cut to length, and ends are either butt-jointed or mitered.

The following Duragutter profiles come in 26’ lengths: OG-5, OG-6, FB, SQ, TR, GR

The following Duragutter profiles come in 24' - 6" lengths: WG, KE, TL

Longer lengths can be purchased, subject to order size and lead time. Keep in mind that 29’ is the longest length that can be powder-coated. Inquire for details.

Required Installation Tools:

-12" sliding compound miter saw with minimum 80 tooth blade

- Large C-clamp and miter clamp (we can include with your order)

- 7/16" drill bit

- Hole saw (depending on outlet)

Finish Options

Most profiles come powder-coated in a IFS super durable polyester powder. This finish meets and exceeds the performance requirements of AAMA 2604. Most profiles are stocked in white and/or black, call for specific color availability. Custom color powder coating is available (may incur additional cost and/or lead time). The gutters can also be field painted to match existing trim.

Parts and Accessories

Radius Gutters

Yes, we can bend Duragutter to almost any radius!

Our bending process produces a seamless curve without facets.

Connecting Pins

Three aluminum pins are used to connect each gutter joint. They are glued into the internal grooves with 2P-10 Adhesive.

Pins are available in 180 (straight), 90, 45, 30, and 22 degrees. If you have an angled connection that is a non-standard angle, request the flexible wire connector.

Tape Kits

Precut pieces of peel and stick TPO roofing tape are used to seal all gutter joints and outlets. One tape kit is used per joint.

Please specify how many inside corners, outside corners, and butt joints you have. Non-square corners (i.e. other than 90 degree) require different tape kits. Note any non-square corners.

2P-10 Adhesive and Activator

2P-10 (a cyanoacrylate or “super glue”) is used in gutter joints (both on the pins and the edge surface of the gutter) and to glue in outlets and internal plugs.

It will cure in a few minutes, or can be set instantly with the activator.

Dicor Sealant

This sealant bonds well to both powder coat and TPO. It is used in screw holes, inside end caps and internal plugs, and over the joint between joint tape and the gutter.

Dicor cannot be used instead of the tape kits to seal gutter joints, or instead of the 2P-10 (it is not an adhesive).

Screws and Washers

We use 3” stainless steel screws with rubber washers to attach the gutters to the building.

Duragutter does not use or require internal brackets, as the extruded aluminum provides exceptional stiffness.

Clamping Block

A clamping block must be used when cutting all gutter profiles except the WG. It fits inside the gutter and prevents it from flexing while being cut.

It also lifts the front edge of the gutter up so the back of the gutter sits square to the miter saw fence.

If the gutter is not square to the fence, miters joints will not come out correctly, as the cut will be distorted.

Internal Plugs

PVC internal plugs seal off the gutter where it butts into a wall or piece of trim. Internal plugs are used where the end of the gutter is hidden. They fit inside the gutter and are flush with the outside.

Internal plugs do not require screws, they are glued in place with 2P-10 and sealed with Dicor.

Above: internal plug used where gutter meets cedar shingles.

Right: internal plug used where gutter meets wood fascia board.

Tall Internal Plugs

For cases where the gutter miters into the rake trim, we make a tall end plug that is cut off at the roof pitch.

End Caps

⅛” thick aluminum end caps are used where the end of a gutter will be exposed. End cap screws are included with each end cap.

They have countersunk holes on each side, so there are no “lefts” or “rights”. They screw into the internal grooves in the gutter.

Below: custom outlets allow gutter to drain out the back or end.

Below: some of our standard outlets (left to right: 3"x4", 3" round, 3" round for OG profile)

Outlets

Outlets connect the gutter to the downspout. They come in a variety of standard and custom shapes to connect to the wide variety of available downspouts.

Accessories

Leafguard

We have two styles: PVC and Stainless Micro Mesh. Both snap into grooves inside the gutter, so installation and removal is simple and quick.

The PVC is sufficient in many cases, but the larger holes allow pine needles and roof granules to pass through over time. However, it is easy to remove and reinstall if the gutters ever needed to be cleaned.

Sizing note:

PVC: 6' lengths, fits 0G-5, FB, SQ, WG, GR. Stainless: 5' lengths, 2 widths. Narrow fits OG-5, FB, SQ, WG, GR. Wide fits OG-6, TL.

The Stainless will keep everything out and is a great looking product. The increased stiffness makes it slightly harder to install then the PVC.

Integral Flashing

Flashing is an optional component that is pre-bent to fit into the flashing groove and go up the fascia onto the roof. You can make the roof bend on-site, or we can pre-bend it for you.

It comes in 10’ lengths and is generally stocked in black or white, but any Drexel Metals color can be specified. We can also make custom flashings.

Self Returns

Self returns are used to terminate the gutter on the fascia when you don’t want to use an end cap. It can be a more elegant (although more expensive) way to end the gutter.

You can make them in the field or we can pre-fabricate and send with your order. They need to be specified right or left.