Experts agree that even with regular maintenance, most homes need gutter systems. But which homes can manage with gutter alternatives like rain chains, French drains, box gutters and yard grading?
Do you need gutters on your home?
Every expert I spoke to said gutters are essential to protect your home from standing water. However, certain gutter alternatives may also work in some cases and in climates with only a moderate amount of rain. However, if your home receives abundant rainfall and severe weather, you should ignore the alternatives and instead consider installing gutters on your home.
“Your gutter system is actually one of the most important and often overlooked systems in your home. Most homes absolutely need them,” said Niki O’Brien, an operations manager at Custom Exteriors in Colorado.
“Your roof collects a tremendous amount of water during rainstorms. Without a gutter system, that water travels down the slopes of your roof and pools below. This can cause damage to siding and paint as the water flows. But more importantly, it can cause structural damage or flooding if pooled water has nowhere to drain.”
10 functional gutter alternatives
Drip edge
Average cost: $2 - $9 per linear foot
A drip edge resembles a raised piece of flashing connected to your roof. It is installed just before the roof’s edge to help protect your fascia board and soffit from potential water damage. The drip edge helps funnel rainwater and direct it safely off your roof.
“The drip [edge] forms a small lip that directs water into the gutters or away from the home’s exterior, preventing water from getting behind the gutters and potentially causing damage to the fascia boards or other structural elements,” said Derek Perzylo, a co-owner of Big 5 Exteriors Ltd., an exterior services contractor in Alberta, Canada.
Pros
- Basic water protection
- Low-cost addition to divert water
- Works with or without a gutter system
Cons
- Doesn’t manage standing water around your home
- Not good for heavy rainfall
Drip path
Average cost: $380 - $700
“A drip path is made by placing pavers or blocks along the ground under the roof. They are typically sloped away from the home to allow the water to drain away from it,” O’Brien said. “In theory, this could help with drainage. However, a properly functioning gutter system is still a better solution.”
Drip paths control the water runoff at the ground level. They are affordable and easy to install for most homeowners. They can also double as a walkable path around your home.
Pros
- Inexpensive gutter alternative
- Easy to install
- Controls water at the ground level
- Increases curb appeal
Cons
- Less effective during winter
- Pavers will require maintenance over time
Rain chain
Average cost: $27 - $86+
A rain chain is a series of cups, shapes or designs linked together that funnel water from your roof to the ground. They can be metal or other strong materials.
Rain chains can be beautiful additions, giving a waterfall effect and soothing sound during rain. However, heavy rain and severe weather are a challenge for this gutter alternative.
“When compared to regular gutters, rain chains are easier to maintain,” Perzylo said. “For the most part, this is because they are open, which lets water flow freely and prevents the buildup of debris that can happen with closed gutter systems.
“Because rain chains are built vertically, leaves and other debris are less likely to get stuck. This means that they don’t need to be cleaned and maintained as often. Also, because rain chains are visible, any problems can be seen right away and fixed right away if they need to be.”
Pros
- Affordable option
- Reusable rainwater
- Can DIY
- Adds curb appeal
Cons
- Requires a catch basin or other device
- Not good in heavy rain
French drain
Average cost: $2,930 - $10,500
French drains work similarly to drip paths and are installed around your home’s perimeter but can take up larger spaces if desired. They consist of a trench with a perforated pipe that funnels water.
They are effective in drawing water away from your home and foundation. However, they must be installed by a professional.
A French drain is a perforated drainage pipe buried in a gravel-filled trench installed around the perimeter of a basement foundation.
“It’s designed to collect water trickling down from your basement’s walls or leaking in through the wall-floor joint,” said Chad Spangler, a managing director of Groundworks, a foundation repair provider. “As water enters the trench, it flows through the gravel and into the perforated pipe and redirects it to your sump pump. French drains are effective in preventing water accumulation and foundation damage, ensuring homes remain healthy and dry.”
Pros
- Excellent drainage control
- Works without a gutter system
- Adds to a home’s aesthetic
Cons
- Needs professional installation
- More expensive alternative
- May overflow in storms or heavy rain
Box gutters
Average cost: $20 - $50 per linear foot
Box gutters are square or rectangular and larger than traditional gutters. They are concealed behind a wall and blend with your home’s exterior.
As they are partially shielded from the elements, they may require less maintenance but still have some risk of overflowing in heavy rainfall and may require gutter guards.
Pros
- Larger capacity for rainfall
- Durable design
- Customizable design
- Modern, clean look
Cons
- Complicated installation
- More expensive than other gutters
- Risk of overflow into interior
- Difficult to clean if clogged
Yard grading
Average cost: $400 - $6,000
Yard grading and landscaping help prevent water pooling around your home’s foundation. Yard graders can shape land to slope down and away from the house, allowing water to flow away. This helps a home’s foundation, which should never be exposed to large amounts of water.
“Yard grading is a good way to stop erosion because it makes a gentle slope that keeps soil from washing away,” Perzylo said. “This method … keeps water from pooling or moving too quickly, which could move the soil, thanks to the gradual slope. Yard grading helps keep the soil in good shape and keeps landscaping safe by spreading water out over a larger area and controlling how fast it flows. This method works especially well in places where it rains a lot or on properties that tend to get wet.”
Pros
- Helps prevent soil erosion
- Naturally forces water away from your home
- May add to curb appeal
Cons
- Requires professional landscaping
- Doesn’t protect your roofline or top portion of your home
- Can be problematic for existing landscape if improperly graded
Built-in gutters
Average cost: $11 - $21+ per linear foot
Built-in gutters are part of your home’s roofline. Home builders install these seamless gutters during construction to match a home’s design and style.
“Because they are hidden, built-in gutters last longer because they don’t get worn down over time,” Perzylo said. “Built-in gutters are built into the roof, unlike external gutters that are out in the elements and could be damaged by falling branches or other debris.”
Pros
- Provides a clean look
- Less likely to clog
- Durable design
Cons
- Expensive to install
- Difficult to repair
- Limited water capacity
Rain dispersal system
Average cost: $3 - $6 per linear foot
A rain dispersal system consists of curved louvers made from aluminum, composite, fiberglass or vinyl. These slats attach along your roof’s edge. Water disperses as it flows over the louvers and onto the landscape below.
Pros
- Low maintenance system
- Evenly distributes water
- Waters landscape below
- Helps prevent erosion
Cons
- Difficult to install
- Effectiveness depends on roof
- Low rainfall capacity
Permeable pavers
Average cost: $13 - $35 per square foot
Permeable pavers are paving stones with gaps between them that let rainwater wash through and soak into the ground. You can use them to prevent pooling water and keep your home’s foundation dry. They also give a pleasing look to your property.
Pros
- Low cost gutter alternative
- Easy to install
Cons
- Does not provide roof protection
- Must sweep, vacuum and inspect often
Rain garden
Average cost: $8 - $14 per square foot
Proponents of rain gardens plant them on a slope so they can receive water runoff during a storm. The garden includes flowers and shrubs that thrive on rainwater. It also removes pollutants and chemicals from the water before it enters ponds and streams.
“Managing water is easier with rain gardens. By putting them in places where water naturally flows or gathers, you can use them to temporarily store and collect extra runoff, which will keep it from flooding drainage systems or causing erosion,” Perzylo said. These gardens can also soak up water runoff from driveways and other places where water won’t soak in.
Pros
- Helps extract pollutants from water runoff
- Beautifies lawn and landscape
- Vegetation provides a home for insects and birds
- Helps maintain water flow levels of rivers and streams
Cons
- Does not protect roof and upper level of home
- Relies on yard grading to be effective
Do gutter alternatives work?
In the same way gutters work best when paired with gutter guards, downspouts, extenders and French drains, gutter alternatives can function well when included as part of a larger system. However, gutter alternatives may fail when used in incompatible climates or when they are not supported by mechanisms like water basins, yard grading or similar options.
Take rain chains, for example.
“The [success] of rain chains depends largely on where you are located,” O’Brien said. “Colorado has a relatively dry climate. Rain chains can typically function just as well as a downspout during moderate to light rain.
She recently visited Costa Rica and witnessed a rain chain that did not work.
“[It is a] tropical climate prone to heavy downfalls, [and] the rain chain could not direct that water away from [a] foundation,” she says. “Water was flowing through the hole in the gutter and spilling everywhere, including pooling around the foundation of the building.”
In this case, O’Brien said, even though there is an alternative to a gutter system, a properly functioning gutter system is a much better way to drain water away from a home.
Gutter alternatives vs. traditional gutters
Deciding between gutter alternatives and traditional gutters depends on the amount of rainfall and severe weather you receive during the year, the cost of a system and personal preferences. This table may help you determine which one best suits you or if a combination of the two is best.
|
|
Traditional gutters
|
|---|---|
| Cost to install | $600 - $4,500 |
| DIY-friendly | No |
| Protects roof and attic | Yes, with gutter systems (gutters, guards, downspouts and splash pads) |
| Protects foundation and basement | Yes, with splash pads |
| Can it handle heavy rain? | Yes — gutter systems can handle heavy rain |
| Maintenance | Low — requires biannual cleaning |
|
|
Gutter alternatives
|
|---|---|
| Cost to install | $200 - $10,500+ |
| DIY-friendly | Depends |
| Protects roof and attic | These alternatives will protect roof and attic: Rain chains Rain dispersal system Built-in gutters Box gutters Drip edge |
| Protects foundation and basement | These alternatives will protect foundation and basement: French drain Rain garden Yard grading Rain dispersal system Permeable pavers Drip path |
| Can it handle heavy rain? | Not many types; only the following can handle heavy rain: French drain Yard grading Rain garden |
| Maintenance | Depends on the systems, but overall low maintenance |
Bottom line
When comparing gutter alternatives and traditional gutter systems, traditional gutter systems win. Conventional gutters are more costly to install (about $2,300 on average) and require $75 to $450 in maintenance per year, but the benefits outweigh having to deal with water and mold damage and other repairs.
Many gutter alternatives function best in concert with a gutter system. This allows you flexibility to implement cost savings, add curb appeal and improve the environment while protecting your home from water damage.