Gutters & Downspouts

Report Overview

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This study analyzes US demand for gutter and downspout products (also referred to as rainware) by product, market, material, and region. Historical data for 2010, 2015, and 2020 and forecasts for 2025 and 2030 are presented in dollars and in linear feet (excluding hardware and accessories).

Gutter and downspout demand is segmented into the following product categories:

• gutters (seamless and preformed)
• downspouts (seamless and preformed)
• gutter guards
  • meshes and screens
  • hood and covers
  • foams and bristles
• hardware and accessories:
  • hardware, including elbows and other connectors, end caps, miters, outlets, brackets, hangers, and straps and other mounting hardware
  • accessories, including conductor heads; downspout drain guards, strainers, and extenders; splash guards; rain chains; rainwater harvesting equipment; and deicing systems

For the purposes of this report, gutter guards that are part of one-piece gutter systems are counted as gutters.

The gutter and downspout market segments analyzed are:

• new residential
• residential improvement and repair
• new commercial
• commercial improvement and repair

Excluded from the definition of residential buildings are housing units located in a structure whose primary purpose is something other than habitation. Thus, a small living space contained in a larger retail facility would be classified as part of a retail building and not a residential building.

The gutter and downspout materials addressed in the study are:

• aluminum
• steel
• plastic
• copper, zinc, and other materials, such as wood, fiberglass, concrete (Finlock)

Additionally, demand for gutter and downspout products is broken out for the following US geographic regions and subregions:

• Northeast (Middle Atlantic and New England)
• Midwest (East North Central and West North Central)
• South (South Atlantic, East South Central, and West South Central)
• West (Mountain and Pacific)

Demand by Product (Linear Feet)

Gutters and downspouts are the basic components of rain carrying systems. Gutters account for the majority of demand, with 59% of the market in linear feet. Since downspouts are always installed with gutters at regular intervals – usually at about every 20 feet of gutter – downspout market trends mirror those of gutters.

Gutter guard products, on the other hand, follow different market growth patterns than gutters and downspouts, since the sale of a gutter and downspout system does not necessarily result in the sale of a gutter guard system. The large majority of gutter guard sales occur several years after the purchase of a gutter system.

Demand for gutters, downspouts, and gutter guards is expected to advance an average of 0.7% annually to 2.0 billion linear feet in 2025. Gains will be affected by such factors as:

• growth in housing activity in those parts of the US – such as the southern half of the US – where homes are more often built on graded slab foundations, rather than basements, and thus do not necessarily need gutter systems
• the elevated level of weather-related reroofing activity between the second half of 2016 and 2018 and the surge in residential improvement and repair activity from mid-2020 through 2021 – those gutters and downspouts that were also repaired or replaced during that time will generally not need additional work in the near term
• only modest average growth in office, retail, and lodging construction spending in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic – many light commercial structures have steep-slope roof elements and thus feature gutters and downspouts

Demand for gutters and downspouts will be supported by:

• the large stock of residences – especially in the Northeast and Midwest regions of the US – with installed gutter systems, many of which are at or near the end of their expected product lifespans and will require eventual replacement
• design trends that call for homes to have gutters on three of four sides of the house instead of only one or two sides, thus boosting the linear footage of gutters per residence

Demand by Market

Demand for gutter and downspout products is concentrated in the aftermarket, as older buildings periodically need to replace their gutter systems, either due to normal aging or as the result of damage caused by weather or other factors.

Residential markets are the primary outlets for gutter and downspout products, accounting for 76% of value demand in 2020. Through 2025, the residential market will total 77% of absolute gains for rainware products, supported by:

• continuing growth in new housing completions
• the large stock of older residences with gutter systems at or near the end of their expected product lifestyle that will eventually require replacement
• rising homeowner interest in installing gutter guards on previously installed gutters to better protect residences against leaks while eliminating the necessity of gutter cleaning projects

Residential markets dominate because the vast majority of residential structures utilize gutter systems as the primary means of collecting water and diverting it away from the structure. Commercial structures, on the other hand, frequently do not use gutter systems, opting instead for alternatives like internal drain and pipe systems.

Preferred roof styles account for this difference:

• Over 90% of single-family residences have steep-slope roofs, with about three-quarters of these residences fitted with gutters on one (or more) sloped side to prevent runoff from damaging the foundation below.
• Many commercial structures have flat roofs that are easier to drain with scuppers and central pipes or low-slope roofs that typically have gutters installed on only one side of the building, when gutters are installed at all.

US demand for gutters and downspouts is forecast to advance an average of 2.0% annually to $5.4 billion equivalent to 2.0 billion linear feet in 2025. Growth will be supported by:

• increases in housing completions, particularly of single-family units, where the most gutters and downspouts are installed
• the replacement of older or worn roofs – gutters and downspouts are often replaced as part of roof repair and replacement projects
• rising interest in the use of gutters and downspouts to direct water away from residences and commercial structures to minimize damage to basements and building foundations

COVID-19 Pandemic Affects Residential & Commercial Markets Differently

The COVID-19 pandemic had a varying effect on demand for gutters and downspouts in 2020. The residential market did much better than expected in 2020 as home construction rebounded in the second half and strong storm activity boosted the need to replace and repair.

In contrast, the commercial market declined as many businesses – especially light commercial establishments that frequently occupy buildings with gutters and downspouts – canceled or delayed projects due to falling revenues. While demand is expected to rebound in 2021, this market will continue to be affected as fewer office buildings, restaurants, and retail outlets will be built or refurbished due to a glut of available space.

Gutter Guards Will See Most Rapid Demand Gains

Among all gutter and downspout products, gutter guards will see the fastest growth. These items – which prevent gutters from being clogged by fallen leaves, pine needles, and other debris – will see increasing use as homeowners install these items to minimize the need to periodically clean gutters, a time-consuming and potentially dangerous task. Metal gutter guards will continue to account for the largest share of demand, but plastic products will post above average gains due to their low cost and light weight, which boosts their appeal to those looking for a DIY project.

Dominance of Residential Market To Be Bolstered by Design & Construction Trends

The residential market will continue to be the leading outlet for gutters and downspouts. Not only do more than half of the residences in the US already feature gutters and downspouts – which often require replacement – more homeowners are embracing construction projects that encompass these products:

• Homeowners looking to improve drainage around their residences will repair or place gutters, either as a standalone project or as part of more comprehensive roofing work.
• Homeowners are also increasingly interested in installing systems with gutter guards to eliminate the need for periodic gutter cleaning.

Home design trends are leading to increased construction of homes with multiple gables, which both provide visual interest to a home and boost the amount of gutters required for proper drainage.