01
Older homes
Bob Vila calls half-round the traditional style on homes built before 1960. Its curve suits the eave detail of an older house better than a molded front.
Rated by Our Satisfied Customers
Half-Round Gutters in New Orleans
Here at Big Easy Gutter, we install half-round gutters in New Orleans for homes where the roofline is part of the character. We size them for heavy rain, hang them level and offer them in copper, aluminum, galvanized steel or vinyl.
- Free estimatesSizing included
- Traditional profileOlder and historic homes
- Four materialsCopper, aluminum and more
- Mon - Fri8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Half-round gutters in New Orleans
The rounded profile for traditional rooflines
Half-round gutters are open, semicircular troughs hung just under the roof edge. They're the traditional profile on older homes, and the city's historic district guidelines name them as an option for buildings that don't have gutters yet. The trade-off is capacity, so sizing matters more than it does with other profiles.
If you want gutters that suit an older home without overflowing in a storm, contact us for a free estimate.
Where it fits
Which New Orleans homes suit half-round gutters?
Homes where the gutter should look like part of the original design. Half-round is the traditional style on older houses, and the HDLC guidelines for local historic districts list it, alongside K-style, for buildings that need new gutters. It also pairs naturally with copper.
02
Historic district projects
Gutter work in a local historic district needs a Certificate of Appropriateness. The HDLC also asks owners to reproduce any special strap or bracket that held the old gutter.
03
Copper finishes
Copper weathers to a patina that suits a traditional roofline. Read more about copper gutters.
Water handling
Can half-round gutters handle New Orleans rain?
Yes, when they're sized for it. A half-round gutter holds less than a K-style of the same width, and Fine Homebuilding puts a 5 inch half-round at roughly half the flow of a 5 inch K-style. With about 63 inches of rain a year here, a larger size or extra downspouts may be the answer.
- 1
Go a size up
A 6 inch half-round carries more water than a 5 inch, which helps on larger roofs.
- 2
Add an outlet
More downspouts means each one drains a smaller part of the roof.
- 3
Move the water away
Extensions send the flow at least 4 feet from the foundation.
Capacity: Fine Homebuilding, hanging half-round gutters. Rainfall: NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals for New Orleans (63.4 in.), via Current Results. Downspout distance: This Old House.
How it's hung
How are half-round gutters hung?
On brackets or hangers, because the curved back can't sit flat against the fascia. Those hangers show from the street, so they have to be evenly spaced and in a straight line. Fine Homebuilding cites manufacturer guidance of no more than 36 inches between hangers, with each run set at the correct slope.
- 1
Check the eave
We assess the fascia and roof edge.
- 2
Set the hangers
Evenly spaced and level, so the row reads clean from the ground.
- 3
Slope each run
The trough is set with the correct slope toward its outlet so water doesn't sit.
- 4
Connect the downspouts
Downspouts and extensions carry the water away from your foundation.
Side by side
Half-round or K-style gutters?
Pick half-round for character and a smooth trough, K-style for the most capacity per inch of width. On an older New Orleans home where looks matter, a properly sized half-round is often the right call. On a large, modern roof, K-style usually does the job with less fuss.
| What matters | Half-round | K-style |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Open semicircle | Flat back, molded front |
| Capacity at the same width | Less | More |
| Mounting | Visible brackets or hangers | Fastens flat to the fascia |
| Inside corners | None, a smooth curve | Angles that can hold debris |
| Historic district fit | Traditional profile | Also listed by the HDLC |
General comparison based on This Old House, Bob Vila and the HDLC Guidelines for Roofing. More on K-style gutters.
Myth or fact
What do people get wrong about half-round gutters?
Mostly its capacity, its materials and its brackets. Half-round gets written off as too small for this climate, as copper only, or as held up by decorative hardware, and each of those ideas leaves out part of the story for a New Orleans home.
Myth
Half-round is too small for New Orleans rain.
Fact
It holds less than K-style at the same width, but a larger size and more downspouts close the gap.
Myth
Half-round only comes in copper.
Fact
We install it in copper, aluminum, galvanized steel and vinyl.
Myth
The brackets are just decoration.
Fact
They carry the gutter. The HDLC guidelines even ask owners to reproduce original straps and brackets.
Get started
Book a free half-round gutter estimate in New Orleans
Here at Big Easy Gutter, we look at your roofline, recommend a size and material for half-round gutters and give you a free estimate.
Tell us about your home and what you'd like it to look like, or call 504-208-2247, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Question not here?
Call us at 504-208-2247 and we will walk you through it.
Request a FREE QuoteWhat are half-round gutters?
Half-round gutters are open troughs shaped like a semicircle, hung just under the roof edge on brackets or hangers. They're the traditional gutter profile on older and historic homes. We install them in copper, aluminum, galvanized steel and vinyl, sized for your roof and the rain it has to handle.
Do half-round gutters hold less water?
Yes, at the same width. Fine Homebuilding puts a 5 inch half-round at roughly half the flow of a 5 inch K-style, and This Old House says K-style handles more than twice the volume. That's why a half-round system in New Orleans may call for a larger size or extra downspouts.
Are half-round gutters good for historic homes in New Orleans?
They're a natural fit. The HDLC Guidelines for Roofing list half-round, along with K-style, for buildings that don't have gutters, and they ask owners to reproduce any original straps or brackets. Work in a local historic district needs a Certificate of Appropriateness first, so start that conversation early.
What material is best for half-round gutters?
It depends on the look you want and your budget. Copper weathers to a patina and suits traditional homes, while aluminum and vinyl are lighter and come in a variety of colors. Galvanized steel adds strength. We'll walk you through the trade-offs for your home during the free estimate.
How far apart should half-round gutter hangers be?
Fine Homebuilding cites manufacturer guidance of no more than 36 inches apart for half-round gutters. Because the hangers are visible, they also need to be evenly spaced and set in a straight, level line. We fasten each run securely and install it with the correct slope toward its downspout.
Do half-round gutters clog less than K-style?
They tend to collect less buildup, because the smooth curve has no inside corners for leaves to catch in. They still clog under heavy tree cover, so plan on cleaning them at least twice a year. A leaf guard system can cut down on clogs between cleanings.
Can you replace my old gutters with half-round?
Yes. We can replace an existing system with half-round gutters if the profile suits your home. We assess the fascia and roof edge, recommend a size and material, and give you a free estimate before any work starts. In a historic district, check with the HDLC before work begins.
What our clients say
What our customers have to say
Client review
Big Easy Gutter transformed my gutter system with its innovative leaf guard system. It has saved me countless hours of cleaning and maintenance. I'm truly impressed with their product and service.
Client review
The gutter leaf guard system from Big Easy Gutter is a game changer. It's incredibly effective at keeping my gutters clear, especially during the fall. Their attention to detail in the installation was commendable.
Client review
I can't thank them enough for installing my gutter leaf guard system. It's like a shield against leaves and debris. Now I have peace of mind knowing that my gutters are protected.