Half-round and copper gutters
We install half-round gutters in aluminum and copper with round downspouts. We also fit copper rain chains for porches and entries.
Half-round gutters
A half-round gutter is shaped like a tube cut in half, with a rolled front edge along the open side. You’ll commonly see this type of gutter on older and historic homes, and it suits limestone houses, too. The gutter hangs on brackets, and water drains through round downspouts.
Copper
Copper gutters never rust, and they develop a patina as they age. Every hanger, fastener, end cap, and bracket on a copper gutter has to be copper, bronze, brass, or stainless steel. Copper corrodes where it touches steel, aluminum, or zinc, so we keep those other metals off it.
Rain chains
A rain chain hangs from a gutter outlet in place of a downspout, and water runs down its links or cups. Rain chains don’t carry water away from the house as well as downspouts. They work under a deep roof overhang at a porch or an entry where splash won’t reach the wall. We set a basin or a bed of river rock under the chain and send the overflow away from the foundation.
What copper costs
HomeGuide’s copper gutter cost guide (dated November 2025) puts copper gutters at $15 to $40 per linear foot installed. The gutter installation cost guide has more on costs.
Questions about half-round and copper gutters
Does copper turn green?
Yes, copper turns green over time as it weathers and develops a patina. Copper never rusts.
Do half-round gutters need different downspouts?
Half-round gutters usually use round downspouts, which match their profile. A half-round gutter hangs on brackets, while a K-style gutter uses hidden hangers.
Can a rain chain replace a downspout?
Yes, a rain chain can replace a downspout at a porch or an entry under a deep overhang. On an open wall, a downspout carries water away from the house better.