Is White Guttering Better Than Black?

chico

I asked a local installer for a quote to replace the fascias, soffits and guttering on my house, and said I preferred black guttering, because white gets dirtier and discolours.

However, the installer recommended white, saying that black absorbs heat and so the guttering is more prone to problems caused by the extra expansion and contraction.

I thought that guttering is fitted loose on top of the supporting clips, specifically to allow for expansion and contraction, and so wonder whether the installer is correct in saying that the white colour makes a significant difference over black.

Can someone who knows about guttering please advise?

Antispam

Black also looses its colour and goes dark grey. My neighbours have black and makes a noise on a very hot day dont get that problem with my old cast iron guttering granted needs maintenance every 5-6 years

Furts

Plastic guttering is dirt cheap, and frequently fitted to poor standards. It is a perfect example of de- skilling in the construction industry - yet the end result is often not good. The safer option is to go for white because it will not expand and contract to the extent that black does. In turn this means less wear on seals. All round less long term risks of leaks.

But if your installer is meticulous black should be fine. Expect fading from UV light - which really should be another reason to avoid it!

beaker141

Id rather have Black I think - and accept any fading as being better than dirty white - which generally looks dirty and eventually ingrained dirty.

Mr.Generous

No problem with either colour, the stuff we use ...
Copied from website
...

is manufactured to BS British Standards

and carries a 20 Year Performance and 10 year Colour Guarantee

We do find however that sq although it tends to look better is not as efficient at clearing away sludge as round profile. I suppose the flow is reduced because of the wide bed, so they do clog up slightly quicker.

Poster above is right about shoddy work on gutters too, Most jobs we go to have 1 screw per clip - the worst one the gutter clips were held up with double sided sticky pads. Uphill pipe runs not uncommon either.

need_an_answer

I've got black and it hasn't discoloured,it's also a lot cleaner looking than some of my neighbours white.

Wassa123

I wouldn’t be too fussed. Whatever blends in more with the house and roof.

If black guttering blends in with a dark roof go for that. Likewise white guttering blends in with a white conservatory.

googler

Ours is brown, and all it takes is the first glimmer of sun for the creaking noises to start...

ic

My black guttering was replaced 20 years ago, and is still black, not grey.

J_B

googler wrote: »

Ours is brown, and all it takes is the first glimmer of sun for the creaking noises to start...

Same here and ours is seriously faded after ten years.

Mr.Generous

J_B wrote: »

Same here and ours is seriously faded after ten years.

Yes the brown is horrendous for fading. Anyone who thinks it doesn't move a downpipe clip.