Is it better to have gutters or not?
Sarah Garza
Updated on May 28, 2026
Prevent Erosion
If rain flows off your roof because you have no gutters, the water causes massive erosion, washing away more and more soil each time it rains. This causes your carefully sloped landscape to wear down, allowing runoff to flow toward your home instead of away from it.Is it worth putting gutters on a house?
Gutters control the water that hits your roof, directing it into a single flow that moves away from your house. Without gutters, it's possible that water runoff will build up around your home, getting into your foundation and causing water damage over time.Why would you not put gutters on a house?
Some homes — homes with particular qualities — do not need gutters. A home with no basement or a home with excellent landscaping drainage may not even need gutters. Rain can roll off the roof all around your home and drain away from your walls, thanks to gravity.Do gutters make a house look better?
Gutters may not be there to improve the aesthetics of your home, but they are there to maintain the look. Without gutters, water will find the path of least resistance to the ground. On the way, it often abuses your trim and siding. This can cause peeling paint, rotting wood, and much more.What can I use instead of gutters?
9 Gutter Alternative Ideas You Should Consider for Your Home
- Drip Path.
- Ground Gutters.
- Box Gutters.
- Drip Edge.
- Copper Gutters.
- Underground Rain Chain.
- Above Ground Rain Chain.
- Grading.