In the Midwest, gutters clogged with leaves, ice or snow are common problems. More than just an unsightly mess, clogged gutters allow water and snow to submerge the fascia board (the trim that is mounted along the edge of the roof), leading to wood rot at the roof edge. According to Aimee Demerath, Director of Marketing for Frey Construction & Home Improvement in Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin, the Absolute Gutter system is the perfect solution. Demerath, whose company offers construction services and roofing installation in Madison and the surrounding areas, explains that the Absolute Gutter system is available to Madison homeowners exclusively through Frey Construction & Home Improvement. Designed by the company’s owner, Scott Frey, and marketed as “the ultimate water dispersing system,” the Absolute Gutter system is intended to prevent the possibility of wood and fascia rot forever.
What Is the Absolute Gutter System?
The Absolute Gutter system, Demerath says, is a seamless, custom bent gutter system designed for superior protection against roof rot. According to Demerath, each Absolute Gutter is made from a single piece of metal, which eliminates the need for box miters (corner pieces made of two gutter sections seamed together) and strip miters (corner pieces that adjoin two pieces of gutter that have been cut to 45 degree angles). “Even the end caps are from the same piece of metal,” she explains. Larger than standard gutters and designed to prevent ice and snow build-up from clogging gutters and damaging the underlying wood, Absolute Gutters, Demerath says, are a smart choice for Madison homeowners.
Why Was the Absolute Gutter System Developed?
Demerath says that the Absolute Gutter system was developed by her company’s owner, Scott Frey, as a way to prevent the rotten fascia board he encountered nearly every time he installed a new roof. “Roof rot is a huge problem in our area,” she says, “because we experience harsh winters with lots of snow and ice.” Traditional gutters, she says, allow snow and ice build-up to submerge the fascia board. While gutter protection systems designed to keep out leaves and other debris are helpful, they can’t prevent ice damming and snow build-up along the fascia board. “The Absolute Gutter is the ultimate preventative,” Demerath says.
What Are the Advantages?
According to Demerath, the vast majority of Frey Construction’s roof replacement customers opt for the Absolute Gutter system over traditional gutters. “The benefits are obvious,” she says. “Nearly everyone has experienced problems with clogged gutters and woot rot.” The Absolute Gutter offers a number of advantages over standard gutters.
- Extra capacity: Absolute Gutters are 40% larger than standard case style gutters.
- Leak reduction: Because each gutter system is made from a single piece of metal, far fewer seams are necessary than in a traditional gutter installation. Fewer seams mean a smooth look and reduced potential for leaks. Fewer seams also mean less caulking, which makes installation quicker and easier.
- Improved protection: “Nearly any roof we take off,” Demerath says, “has wood rot at the edge.” The Absolute Gutter system is specifically designed to prevent it from occurring. Absolute Gutters are 1 ¼” higher in the back to prevent ice and snow build-up from submerging the fascia board.
- Versatility: Demerath says that the Absolute Gutter system is designed to accommodate any of the gutter protection systems that are on the market today. The system can be installed without even having to the adjust existing gutter protection system. Absolute Gutters are available in three face profiles to complement any style of home.
- Great looks: Absolute Gutters offer aesthetic benefits as well. Thanks to their smooth corners and minimal seams, Absolute Gutters create a sleek look along the edge of any roof.
“The Absolute Gutter is a completely new and innovative system,” Demerath says. “The finished product looks beautiful and simply performs better than traditional gutters. It’s no surprise that our customers absolutely love them.”
