Every property needs gutter systems to drain water away from the roof, but not every property requires the same kind of gutter installation. For instance, using residential gutters on a commercial building can cause a whole slew of maintenance problems.

Surprisingly, not many people know the key differences between rain gutters for commercial building and those for residential. Therefore, here are some of the main differences between residential and commercial gutters to ensure you choose the right ones for your property.

1. Legal regulations
   First and foremost, rain gutters for commercial building properties have to comply with legal regulations. These regulations depend on the location of the property. However, they ultimately require commercial properties to use certain rain gutter types, gutter size, and where the water will drain. These regulations exist to help ensure the health and safety of the whole area.
2. Gutter materials
   Homeowners have a greater number of options available to them for residential gutters. In most cases, gutter systems for a home are made from either vinyl or copper. This is because homeowners desire both function and aesthetic when it comes to their rain gutter installation. Rain gutters for commercial building properties are often made of aluminum or galvanized steel to ensure optimal performance.
3. Gutter style and size
   Gutter systems typically come in two main shapes: K-style and half-round. However, commercial properties are prone to using box gutters because of their capacity for excessive rainwater. Box gutters also offer a professional look to a commercial building due to their straightforward and simple design.
4. Gutter placement
   One of the biggest difference between commercial and residential gutter systems is where they’re placed. Residential gutters are installed along the edge of the roof and the downspout is turned away from the home. Residential roofs are typically either gable, hipped, or shed roofs. Commercial roofs are flat and, depending on their size, may either use inner drains or scuppers to drain rainwater alongside their gutters.

Every property needs the proper gutters in order to drain water efficiently. For more information on the right gutter systems for your commercial property, contact NW Rain Gutters today.