Gutter Installation in Louisiana

Local know-how

Gutters and gutter guards in Louisiana

Louisiana is one of the wettest states in the US, and hurricanes regularly damage roofs and gutters. Many homeowners install new gutters with roof replacements after storms.

Oversized gutters and downspouts help handle intense tropical rain, and secure attachment is important for wind. Live oaks and pines make guards a practical addition.

In Lafayette, Lake Charles and Baton Rouge, installers often recommend larger downspouts and extensions that carry water away from slab and pier foundations, where standing water can cause trouble.

Key facts: gutters in Louisiana

• Typical cost: HomeGuide puts seamless aluminum gutters at about $6 to $12 per linear foot installed nationally; local prices vary.
• Do gutter installers need to register in Louisiana? For residential projects of $7,500 to under $50,000, home improvement contractors must register with the State Licensing Board for Contractors.
• How much rain does New Orleans get? About 63 inches a year on average at the airport under NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
• Common choice: seamless aluminum K-style gutters in 5- or 6-inch sizes; 6-inch with 3x4-inch downspouts for large roofs and heavy rain.
• How to get connected: call the number on this page and you are connected with an independent local installer who serves your ZIP code. The call is free and there is no obligation.

Updated November 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.

Among the wettest places in the country

New Orleans averages about 63 inches of rain a year at the airport under NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals, far more than most U.S. cities, and much of South Louisiana is similarly wet. Rain falls year-round, with intense summer thunderstorms and tropical systems from the Gulf. Flat land, high water tables and heavy clay soils mean water does not drain away easily once it reaches the ground.

For gutters, that means sizing for intense rain, carrying water away from foundations and raised homes, and getting it to drainage that can take it. See 5-inch vs. 6-inch gutters and downspout size and placement.

Hurricanes and wind

Louisiana sees hurricanes and tropical storms most years. Gutters should be firmly attached with hidden hangers screwed into sound fascia, downspouts strapped at every joint and guards that fasten down. After storms, check for bent sections and loose hangers, document damage with photos and be cautious with out-of-area crews. See gutters in hurricane season and gutter damage and homeowners insurance.

Raised homes, piers and crawl spaces

Many Louisiana homes are raised on piers or have crawl spaces, from historic shotguns and Creole cottages in New Orleans to newer homes elevated for flood protection. Roof water that pools under or beside raised homes keeps the ground soft around piers and the crawl space damp. Downspouts should discharge away from piers and toward drainage, and should not block flood vents. See downspouts and your foundation.

Termites, moisture and wood

Warm, humid South Louisiana is prime termite territory, including Formosan subterranean termites in parts of the region. Overflowing gutters soak fascia and siding, and roof water at the foundation keeps soil damp. Clear, correctly sized gutters and downspouts that carry water away reduce the moisture that termites and rot depend on. See gutters and pests.

Historic homes

New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and small towns across the state have historic homes with built-in gutters, half-round copper and decorative details. Historic districts may review visible changes. See gutters on historic homes and copper and half-round gutters.

Louisiana registration

For residential projects of $7,500 or more but less than $50,000, home improvement contractors must register with the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors, with proof of general liability insurance and workers’ compensation. Larger projects require a residential building contractor license. After storms, the state regularly warns about unlicensed contractors; verify registration before signing.

Louisiana areas we cover

• New Orleans: 63 inches of rain, raised homes, historic districts, termites.

Independent installers also take calls from other parts of Louisiana; enter your ZIP code to check coverage.

Costs and choices

HomeGuide puts seamless aluminum gutters at about $6 to $12 per linear foot installed nationally; HouseLogic puts 6-inch half-round gutters at about $10 to $24 per foot. In Louisiana, 6-inch gutters and 3x4-inch downspouts, strong attachment, corrosion-resistant fasteners near the coast and guards under live oaks are the main choices. See our cost guide.

Live oaks and Spanish moss

Live oaks drop leaves heavily in spring rather than fall, and Spanish moss, catkins and twigs end up in gutters year-round. Pines in North Louisiana add needles. Fine-mesh metal guards keep most of this out and reduce how often anyone needs to climb a ladder in the heat. See are gutter guards worth it?

Choosing an installer in Louisiana

After hurricanes, Louisiana regularly warns homeowners about unlicensed contractors and up-front payment schemes. Before you sign, verify the company’s registration or license with the State Licensing Board for Contractors, ask for a certificate of insurance sent directly by the insurer and get a written contract that lists gutter size and gauge, hanger type and spacing, downspout size and discharge points, how fascia repairs will be priced and when payment is due. Avoid paying large deposits in cash. On raised homes, ask how the downspouts will be routed down tall walls and piers and where the water will go at ground level, because a downspout that ends at a pier is a common mistake. In New Orleans historic districts, check whether visible changes need approval before work starts, especially on front elevations. See how to choose a gutter contractor and gutter warranties explained.

Sources

• Current Results: New Orleans annual precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020)
• Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors: rules (home improvement registration)
• HomeGuide: Seamless gutters cost
• HouseLogic (National Association of Realtors): Types of gutters and costs
• Angi: How much do gutter guards cost?