Rain gutters help direct water away from your foundation, but they aren’t the only option for managing rainwater. If you’re tired of clogs or simply want a sleeker look, rain chains, French drains, and more can offer more efficient, visually pleasing, and cost-effective alternatives to the best gutter systems. We highlight six popular gutter alternatives and explain when to still consider traditional gutters for your home in this detailed guide.
The Best Gutter Alternatives
The best gutter alternative for your home depends on your specific needs and preferences. Below are six alternatives.
Rain Chains
Rain chains attach to the edge of your roof to collect water. Several styles exist, but most feature a series of decorative cups connected by chain links. Rust-proof copper chains are popular for their durability, but you can also find rain chains made from galvanized iron, aluminum, or steel.
The chain reaches from your roof to the ground. Water from your roof should drip down the chain and collect in the cups. If your area often experiences heavy rain, you might connect your rain chains to an underground drainage system to direct water farther away. If you choose an underground rain chain system, you can select a product without cups. Anchoring basins can secure the rain chain to the ground and provide a place for water to pool. Learn more about how to install a rain chain.
Drip Edges
Your home likely already has drip edges, regardless of whether you have gutters. Drip edges consist of metal flashing installed along your roof. The metal starts beneath your shingles and extends slightly past the roof’s edge so that water drips directly onto the ground rather than running down the soffits, fascia boards, and siding.
Drip edges alone may not be enough to manage the runoff from your roof effectively. Although they can help prevent water damage to your siding and wood rot along your fascia boards, they do not provide much protection for your foundation or landscaping. As a result, they are typically paired with a drip path, French drain, or traditional gutters.
Drip Path
A drip path consists of large blocks, pavers, or other hard surfaces placed in the ground beneath your roofline and angled downward away from your foundation. The angle of the blocks will help direct water away from your home. Drip paths are typically made of plastic, concrete, or metal, and installing them is a relatively simple do-it-yourself (DIY) task.
French Drain
French drains are essentially ground gutters. Like regular gutters, French drains collect water runoff and direct it away from your home’s foundation—but they do so at the ground level. You can install a French drain wherever water tends to collect, including along the perimeter of your home.
A French drain system consists of a perforated pipe buried in a trench beneath a layer of gravel. Water filters through the gravel and makes its way into the pipe, which funnels it to a designated drainage area. Your French drain could empty into an underwater rain barrel or cistern, your city’s sewer system, or a storm drain. Alternatively, you could allow the water to drain above- or below-ground safely from your home.
Grading
Grading involves adjusting the slope of your yard so that water flows away rather than pooling around your home’s foundation. To achieve this effect, your yard needs to slope downward at least 6 inches per 10 feet.
Built-In Gutters
Although built-in gutters are technically a type of gutter, we included them in this list because they solve a few of the issues homeowners have with regular gutters. Also known as hidden gutters or box gutters, built-in gutters are installed inside or under the roof overhang. This placement hides them from view and makes it more difficult for debris to enter the gutters without expensive gutter guards.
As you might expect, installing built-in gutters is much more challenging than installing traditional gutters. They also cost more. However, they look better and last longer than most types of gutters. Many hidden gutters are lined with copper or another weatherproof material that resists corrosion. They are less prone to clogs and blockages, making them relatively low maintenance.
Are Gutter Alternatives Effective?
The products listed above can offer effective alternatives to traditional rain gutters in some cases, especially if your home sits on top of a hill or your area has a relatively dry climate. In other cases, you may need gutters.
Of course, not all of these gutter alternatives are equally effective. For instance, French drains and built-in gutters can handle a higher volume of water than rain chains or drip paths. Consider combining multiple solutions, such as pairing rain chains with an underground drainage system.
Factors To Consider When Choosing Gutter Alternatives
To help you in your buying decision, we recommend considering the following factors when shopping for gutter alternatives:
- Budget: Some gutter alternatives, such as grading or drip edges, are more cost-effective than traditional gutters. Others, like built-in gutters or French drains, may require a larger upfront investment due to installation complexity.
- Climate: Your local weather plays a major role in choosing a drainage system. In areas with heavy rainfall or snow, you’ll need a solution that can handle large volumes of water quickly. Some alternatives, like rain chains, may not perform well in regions prone to intense storms or freezing temperatures.
- Maintenance requirements: Consider how much upkeep you’re willing to do. Options like rain chains are generally low maintenance, while systems like French drains or built-in gutters may require periodic cleaning or professional servicing to stay effective.
- Roof design: The slope, size, and shape of your roof determine how water flows off your home. Steep or complex rooflines may direct water to specific areas, requiring more strategic drainage solutions like drip paths or grading.
The Disadvantages of Gutters
A high-quality gutter system, especially one with effective gutter guards built in, is typically considered extremely effective and durable. However, gutters do come with some potential downsides:
- Maintenance: Over time, debris can build up in your gutters, forming clogs that obstruct water flow. Experts generally recommend that you clean your gutters twice per year. Gutter guards can reduce the difficulty and frequency of this task, but they do not eliminate it entirely. If you have sectional rather than seamless gutters, you will also need to reseal the seams every few years to prevent leaks.
- Cost: Older gutters can develop leaks or other issues. Depending on the nature and extent of the damage, the cost to repair gutters can reach hundreds of dollars. The expected lifespan for most gutters is only 10–20 years, and installing a new system can easily cost thousands. High-end options, such as copper gutters, can last 50 years or longer, but can become cost-prohibitive for many homeowners.
- Curb appeal: Traditional gutters extend beyond the edge of your roof, and many homeowners consider them an eyesore. You might find certain types of gutters, like zinc or copper gutters, more aesthetically pleasing, but they cost significantly more. Gutters can look especially out of place on a historic home or one with a strikingly modern or minimalist design.
Signs You May Not Need Gutters
In some instances, gutters may not be necessary. If your property is already well-equipped to manage rainwater, you may be able to skip them without risking damage to your home. You might not need gutters if:
- Your home is located on a hill or an elevated slope
- Your yard naturally slopes away from the foundation
- Your roof has a 6–10 inch overhang to help direct water away
- You live in a dry, arid climate with minimal rainfall
- Hardscaping, like patios, sidewalks, or streets, surrounds your home
- You have a French drain system installed around your foundation
- You’ve already added another effective drainage alternative
Our Conclusion
Gutters can suffer from various issues, including blockages, leaks, ice dams, and sagging. You might be nervous about the cost of installing, repairing, or replacing gutters. Some people are less than thrilled by the maintenance required by gutters or loathe their look. Or, perhaps you benefit from a sloped yard or dry climate that makes gutters unnecessary.
In any of these cases, it may be worth exploring alternative solutions. We recommend getting a professional opinion before deciding to forgo a traditional gutter system. Gather quotes, research your options, and weigh the pros and cons of a traditional system versus one of these rain gutter alternatives.
FAQs About Gutter Alternatives
Do rain chains work as well as gutters?
No, rain chains don’t manage rain as effectively as gutters, especially in heavy rain. However, they can work in dry climates or with a properly sloped yard. Pairing rain chains with an underground drainage system can improve their performance.
Why don’t old houses have gutters?
Gutters did not become common until the mid-1900s. Before then, gutters were rarely installed on residential buildings, either due to the cost or because they simply were not offered as an option. However, some high-end historic homes were built with box gutters hidden in the eaves.
What is the function of a gutter?
Gutters function by collecting rainwater from the roof and directing it away from the home’s foundation. Proper water flow helps protect against soil erosion and foundation damage, with a general guideline to deposit water at least 4 feet away from the house.
