When the sector of an industry reaches an epic sum, it must be important. Surely, this must mean something. The sector we are talking about is the Green Building Sector, and the industry we are talking about is construction. Well, how much has it really grown? According to the Word Resources Institute, the Green Building sector of the construction industry has grown to $38 billion and continues to grow. How does a company adapt to such a growing sector? It won’t be as difficult as it sound since to adapt to the methods, techniques, and materials of the Green Building sector the National Association of Home Builders and the Code Council have joined together to develop a set of standards for this sector (the first ever!). What are some of the features of Green building? What makes it so great? The features of Green building include sustainable, durable, and low maintenance building design and operation. Also, water and energy efficiency with a focus on indoor and outdoor control.

Why all this talk about Green building and the whole concept of ‘going green’ in general? If we are to consume, we should be responsible consumers. This premise has shifted the paradigm of industry and current mainstream thought regarding what and how we consume, and this environmentally friendly approach is catching on. More and more companies are ‘going green’ by creating more environmentally friendly products or converting their existing products into more environmentally friendly products. For example, some car companies are building hybrid cars. Not just companies, but regular people to are ‘going green’ by using public transportation more often instead of driving.

So who are we to say no to the environmentally approach? With this entry, B & B Sheet Metal introduces it’s first green gutters!

Not many people know that gutters are a green product. Gutters are metal channels that are attached to the edges of structures with down slopes. A gutter enables water to escape via leaders and downspouts, preventing water from pooling on rooftops and other sloping structures.  We carry several different types of gutters from aluminum, copper, galvanized steel, kynar aluminum and kynar galvanized, lead coated copper, and more.

The Half Round Copper Gutter System & Accessories represents a cross-section of the classical with the cutting edge. The heavy waterflow control helps drain the water to a low gradient while keeping an open and quasi-circular roofline appeal. Copper gutters leave the realm of utility and enter the arena of architectural detail, helping to accent every inch of your roof structure with the artistic detail of sculpture.

The Copper K-Style gutter, also known as the ogee gutter,  is not attached to a vertical fascia board but is hung in the way half round gutters are designed to be mounted and may need to be supported with more hangers than usual to be strong enough in such an application. We roll form copper ogee gutters in 3K or 9K to any lengths that can be shipped seamless with our 26 ft computerized brake we can match any profile copper K-Style gutter.

B-Max Gutters, which are available in 12 different styles are also seamless and available in up to 26′ in length (image on the left is B-Max 01 style). This enables us to continue our tradition of fabricating quality gutters in longer lengths. We can custom fabricate gutters to your exact specifications. A seamless gutter creates less chance for breakage, less joints to solder or caulk and makes it easier to line up joints. This results in quicker and neater installation.

The Flange Back Copper Gutter is another seamless gutter that allows you to control water flow and also eliminate the possibility for water to get behind the gutter if the tube freezes in the winter. If the tube was to clog then the water would either back up onto the roof or would overflow towards the front. However, it would not get behind the gutter as it had in the past with a typical gutter and drip cap system. The Flange Back Gutter can be manufactured from 4K to 8K up to 26 feet in length. Our technicians specifically taper the back wall to control the flow of water. When the gutter is specified to pitch either right or left it is from the top view of the roof.

So then what is the Americraft Gutter System? The Americraft Gutter System is a gutter system that is manufactured from the finest copper around. Our high grade hangers are double the weight of copper per pound of any competitor. The superior strength, flexibility and function easily outperform any other gutter system. The Americraft Gutter Complete System is also available with solderless clamping joints which eliminate the hassle of soldering end caps and gutter connections. The unique fold over design is specifically crafted for an effortless installation.

The Americraft Copper Gutter system is not our only green product, our other gutters (including the ones mentioned above) are green products as well, but what makes a gutter a ‘green product’ in the first place?

1. Energy saving

Properly installed gutter and downspout systems help to prevent leaking and soaking of the insulation between walls through windows. This will eliminate high energy bills.

2. Water conservation

Rainfall is caught and collected by a gutter system. With the correct gutter system, water will be saved in a collection or properly directed to storage. For example, water gets recycled by being redirected into a sprinkler system.

3. Contribution to a safe and healthy indoor environment

Uncontrolled rainwater from roofs without a gutter or with a gutter that is clogged and overflowing is a big contributor to mold inside a home. When there is rain, there is usually wind that forces that rain through soffit vents into attics. The moisture produced through this course of action causes mold to start and migrate to the structure’s interiors. This will cause unhealthy air in the home. When a gutter is properly installed, it can provide the protection needed against this. A leaf protector can also be used. A leaf protector is very effective for preventing clogging of the gutter systems from accumulated leaves. A Leaf Protector is imperative for a house sitting in an area full of trees, which would require gutter clearance every few weeks without some kind of leaf-protection. Leaf Protectors help to block out leaves and reduce maintenance to a bi-annual project as opposed to a bi-monthly affair. The perforated circular holes help to accept only water and not leaves or branches.

4. Protection of natural resources

Typically, metals used for seamless or specialty gutters are recycled aluminum, copper, or galvalume steel. In copper installations, lead free solder should be used or simply choose our Americraft Copper Gutter System which does not need any soldering at all. Also, unnecessary repairs can be avoided by installing compatible metal drip edge flashings with new gutters. This flashing keeps wood fascia from rotting which causes mold and unnecessary repairs. This is something that is overlooked by many builders, and many homeowners remain unaware.

5. Reduce the impact of building on the community

Storm water has a negative effect, but gutter systems can lessen this effect with proper down spouting and drainage. With gutters, landscaping and plantings are protected and saved for future enjoyment and continued air quality. Gutters that are clean and free flowing are very good for the environment. This prevents erosion and cracks in the foundation.

6. $aving money

With the proper gutter, constant replacement is a non-factor. Not only will you save money through saving energy and water conservation, but also having the proper gutter in a geographic location relative to rainfall amount. If you have any concerns when choosing the proper gutter, check out our gutters brochure for sizing gutter and downspout.

It is important for us to focus on educating ourselves, our employees, and our customers about Green Building. Some consumers do not think that a gutter is a green product unless this issue is brought up during a sale. It is therefore both important and practical to bring up this issue to the customer. Our salespeople should be fully aware of Green Building and effectively communicate this concept to our customers so that they can understand the need for a full gutter system and not simply just a piece of gutter over the front door. Customers (especially the younger generations) will find the Green Building concept appealing and will be more likely to buy the product.

Some people ask the question is the ‘going green’ trend something that is temporary or permanent. Well, there have been many trends in the past - yo-yo’s, starting a website, and all types of diet fads (Atkins diet, grapefruit diet), but this trend is different because it actually has a purpose..a somewhat noble purpose. In the bigger picture, ‘going green’ requires one to look beyond themselves and realize that a complex and incredible natural environment exists around us and we can only abuse it for so long. At some point, we have to start doing something about it. Going green and concern for the environment will continue and the concept will spread. Simply out of growing popularity, if for no other reason. As more and more people and companies become environmentally conscious, the consensus towards an environmentally friendly humanity grows. This is not just another come-and-go trend, going green is here to stay!

As more and more people become conscious of the impact their carbon footprint is having on the planet, the ‘going green’ trend will continue. And indeed more and more people are becoming more and more aware. Not just more people, but more products as well will become environmentally friendly. In the future, B & B Sheet Metal will be rolling out more green products and we are glad to be part of all of this!

Remember, we can make any custom gutter to your specifications. Just send us a shop drawing or tell us how you want it to look and we will fabricate it.

Tags: aluminum gutters, americraft gutters, copper gutters, custom gutters, go green, going green, going green gutters, gutters oozing with greenness
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