What Are The Strongest Gutter Hangers? (List of Types)
Having a sound rain gutter system is crucial to keeping your home safe from water damage. A significant part of a gutter system is the hangers that support the entire thing. But how do you know if you have high-quality gutter hangers?
There are a variety of different companies that offer some of the strongest gutter hangers on the market. To ensure your money is going to good use, you should buy hangers that are made from a durable material, like aluminum. This way, the elements won’t cause it to rust or bend with excess weight from water.
If you’re installing gutters or simply adding in new hangers, you’re in the right place. We’re going to talk about the seven strongest styles of gutter hangers available. There’s even a handy price comparison chart, so you’ll know where the best deal is.
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Seven Strongest Types of Gutter Hangers
There is a myriad of different gutter hanging options available. Not every store and website has each style. It can be confusing trying to find the best product for your needs, and you don’t want to end up buying the wrong thing.
Here are the seven most popular and most robust types of gutter hangers money can buy. Hopefully, this helps you find exactly what you’re looking for.
1. Hangers Secured to the Fascia Board
The most common gutter hanger style are the ones that attach to the fascia board. These are compatible with half-round gutters and K-style gutters. What makes this one of the strongest is that they use a long screw or spike.
One end holds up the gutter by supporting the outer lip. The other end has a hollow piece where the spike or screw is driven into. The fastener takes up around half the width of the trough, providing extra support.
2. Hidden Hangers
Next are hidden hangers. These are relatively similar to any standard gutter hanger you’ll find. What sets them apart is that they’re installed at the center of the gutter trough. This makes them appear invisible, giving a more clean look once installed.
Putting them at the center of the trough also provides support throughout the entire gutter system. They’re less likely to be affected by things like extreme weather or heavy snow.
3. Spikes and Ferrules
The third option there is when it comes to the strongest gutter hangers are spikes and ferrules. Sometimes you’ll see these advertised as “Screws and Ferrules,” but rest assured, it’s the same thing.
This is one of the most simple gutter hangers available. The ferrule is driven through each side of the gutter trough. Then a spike or screw is inserted into the fascia board. The spikes must be long enough to span the gutter trough and reach the fascia.
It’s durable and straightforward, thanks to the two-hole installation method. The main downfall of this style is that there is an increase in gutter leaks with two holes. If this happens, you may see rain or water spill onto siding or windows.
4. Exposed Brackets and Straps
Exposed brackets and straps will give a more industrial look to the gutter system. This type of bracket looks like a “U,” giving the trough plenty of support underneath. It doesn’t penetrate the gutter system at all, reducing any chance of leaks.
A load-bearing strap is simply attached to the fascia board. These are some of the strongest hangers because they have a low risk of corrosion. It’s crucial to have the fasteners adequately installed, to keep it durable during heavy rainfall.
5. Hangers Secured to the Sub-Roof
Hangers that are secured to the sub-roof are a variation of the previous style. The main difference is that these aren’t attached to the fascia board but instead, the roofing structure itself.
Because it’s installed under the shingles, this isn’t an advisable method for just anybody. This style is exceptionally sturdy and should be put in by an experienced contractor.
6. T-Bar or T-Strap Hangers
T-bars look a lot like hidden hangers with the addition of a vertical metal strap that’s riveted into the center. This forms a suspension system that allows for the utmost support and durability.
The other end of the strap is fastened to the roof deck, saving you from having to secure anything to the fascia board. This is a quick and simple option that someone of any skill level could install.
7. Wrap-Around Hangers
Last but certainly not least is wrap-around hangers. These are a combination of exposed brackets, but they’re installed using t-straps. They support the gutter system from underneath, providing extra strength.
Gutter Hanger Cost
Gutter hands are relatively inexpensive. Depending on where you shop, you can get a bulk amount for an affordable price. There are alternatives to gutter systems if that’s what you’re looking for as well.
Below, you’ll find a comparison chart that gives the average cost for each style of strong gutter hangers.
Type of Hanger | Menards Price | Lowe’s Price | Home Depot Price |
Wrap-around | $10 | $9 | $8 |
T-bar / T-strap | $7.50 | $9 | $10 |
Subroof | $7 | $3 | $5 |
Exposed brackets | $5 | $8.50 | $7 |
Spikes and Ferrules | $9 | $11 | $2 |
Fascia board | $11 | $14 | $11 |
Hidden | $7 | $3 | $5 |
What to Look For in a Gutter Hanger
When you’re shopping around for a gutter hanger, it’s essential to know what you’re looking for. Everything from the color of your gutters to the installation process, we’re here to help. If you’re looking for the strongest products available, here are a few things you should keep in mind.
Material
- Aluminum is the most popular material used to make gutter hangers. It’s inexpensive, lightweight, and resistant to corrosion. Many of the strongest hangers on the market are made out of aluminum.Â
- Copper is another material that’s less commonly used to make gutter hangers. The greatest thing about this material is that it has an average lifespan of 50 years. The downfall is that they tend to be more expensive.Â
- Lastly, galvanized steel is another rugged material. It’s finished with a thin layer of zinc that protects the hangers from rusting. Eventually, this layer does fade, which can lead to corrosion down the line.Â
Size
Since gutters come in different sizes, so do the hangers. It’s crucial to know what size hangers you need for the specific gutter system you have. Most fall between five and eight inches wide.
Installation
Another thing you want to consider when choosing which gutter hang you want on your home is how easy it is to install. Depending on your expertise, you may want something more simple like spikes and ferrule options.
Gutter hanger styles like the ones that are secured to the sub-roof require expert installation. Having someone install it for you is an extra cost that you’ll want to consider.
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Related Questions
One reason why gutter hangers are an inexpensive investment is that you don’t need a lot of them. A general rule of thumb says hangers should be spaced no more than three feet away from each other. If you live in a colder climate that gets heavy snowfall, consider keeping them maximum two feet apart.
Are gutters really necessary?In general, yes. While you likely don’t need gutters in every direction all-around your house, they are necessary. It all depends on how your roof slopes and in which directions.
You should add gutters at the bottom of any slope to help water naturally trickle down. This is where the gutters do their work best. If you’re unsure of where to put them, you can have a professional come out and assess the situation.
Are wider gutters better?With gutters, the size all depends on where you live. If you reside in sunny Arizona, you won’t likely see a lot of rain, making it okay to buy smaller gutters. The opposite could be said for somewhere like northern Minnesota.
Having large rain gutters is a great thing because they can handle excess water and weight more than thinner ones. This gives your home even more protection from water damage, and they require less upkeep.
Kirstin is a passionate writer who loves helping people learn new things when it comes to home improvement. When she's not behind a keyboard, she enjoys DIY projects, crafts, spending time with her pets, and making videos. She hopes that with all she writes, someone is finding a solution to their home improvement needs.
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