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Does anyone know why there are no gutters on this fantastic home? Love the roof, deck, well heck I love the entire place, but don't understand.........

Phil #33

That is a good question. It would be great to collect water from the gutters to water plants (I do that presently) and it keeps the rain from pooling around the eves.

Anyone have an answer?

My guess would be that alligators could nest up there and lay eggs in the gutters which could block drainage and cause damage to the roof.

This area gets lots of moisture in rain and dew form.
The gutters would be situated at 20+ feet above ground level (22 feet to roof line because of the 12 foot dwelling height over the swamp); those infernal South Carolina pine needles clog the gutters and down spouts and are nasty to remove.
Perhaps Architects aren't concerned much about the water runoff-erosion into a swamp. Rain water collection isn't a goal, as well.
Solar projects for this home are absent, but it is a LEED certificated one, never-the-less. Maybe tour folks will tell us about that and any central computer operations and monitors which have been a high priority in the past. Perhaps it is just a lack of sponsors.

Good thoughts Mr. Bill and Tango, just use to using rain water for my potted plants.

I live in the Carolinas and yes we have oak and pine trees. It appears that there are quite a few Palm trees at this location in addition to some Pine and maybe some Oak trees. I seriously don't see this as being a bad problem involving the gutters. They now make gutters that have these crown type shields over them to prevent having them fill up with leafs and needles constantly. I have to clean my gutters once a year, it's not a real problem here and I'd be surprised if it would be there.

But, I'll be sure to let ya'll know upon moving in.........I'd rather have some 6 inch wide copper or matching aluminum gutters with the crown thing over it than get drowned trying to come up the steps or just stepping outside on the deck.......

I agree Phil. I have never seen the ones with covers, sounds interesting. I wonder why they did not install rain gutters. I do not know alot about a metal roof, does that make a diffence?

quote:

Originally posted by Phil33:


But, I'll be sure to let ya'll know upon moving in.........I'd rather have some 6 inch wide copper or matching aluminum gutters with the crown thing over it than get drowned trying to come up the steps or just stepping outside on the deck.......

Any Dream Home architects aboard MB?
I don't care for gutters, but I like to divert/redirect rain water at the roof edge with aluminum in areas over walks and steps, avoiding gutters in needle-leaf areas entirely here where high pines are.
I find that one cleans gutters when they fill, i.e windy days, but! one can ignore the filled gutters/downspouts that are filled up and just enjoy a cup of tea!
Phil, give us a report on those Dream Home covers after you have installed them at the DH where pine needles are present (on this high angled roof line. The angle of roof is an issue on the covers; they don't work well on "A frame"-acute angles in catching the water, diverting water, not catching it.)
As to the covers, the needles get through everything, sliding through lanai screeens for example.
kind regards,
T

I will continue to keep my mind in the gutter to try and search for a palatable answer.

TangoW, Hey I don't care for gutters either, but I have and use a 6 inch gutter with this crowned gorilla guard piece over them, plus I have a 6 inch downspout to help move things along. Most homes in my area have 4 inch gutters and downspouts. The extra 2 inches really helps and I live right in the middle of Pine Tree country with some Maple and Oaks. I have my gutters cleaned out twice a year, sometimes only once and they don't clog up to speak of. Man I don't know, but I know I don't like getting drenched while coming up steps or walking out on the deck, so to me it's worth a try. I also like the redirect pieces on the roof as you suggested. Also if the downspouts are run to underground french drains say 1 to 2 feet deep with say a 10 to 12 feet of run so the water runs off properly in order to move the water away from the home. It makes a huge difference in moving the water away from the house

Gutters have come a long way now since they now offer matching aluminum colors and copper, so they aren't an eye sore like the old days.

If I win this place and don't take the Cash Option instead. I'll put up the gutters and let you all know how it works. However, the aesthetics are very important on a home like this and it must be properly done.

I didn't see a lot of Pine trees on this property, maybe there are, who knows until one of us get there......

Good Luck to all you guys.
Phil #33

PS, Is today the last day or is there 1 more day?

Phil thanks for the post.
This is the last day on the DH entries. Green Home is next.
Enjoy hashing away on the tour de green bekaz it has so many ideas coming along. :>) Some of the cakes are baked, some are still raw whatever.

Can't wait to see how the gutters work.

OK guys, it's over. Time to cross your fingers, pray and hope for one of us to be a Winner!

I've sure enjoyed the ideas and back & forth with everyone.

When is the drawing, I think I remember reading the 26th or 28th?

Phil #33 sounding off from Cary/Raleigh, NC