Gutter Installation in New Orleans, LA

Local know-how

Gutters in New Orleans: what local homeowners should know

New Orleans is one of the wettest major cities in the country, with around 60 inches of rain a year and intense tropical downpours. In a city where drainage is everything, gutters and downspouts that move roof water efficiently are a big part of keeping homes dry.

Historic shotguns, Creole cottages and raised homes in neighborhoods like Uptown, Mid-City and the Marigny often feature half-round or copper gutters. After hurricane seasons, many homes also need new gutters along with roof replacements.

Key facts: gutters in New Orleans, LA

• Typical cost: HomeGuide puts seamless aluminum gutters at about $6 to $12 per linear foot installed nationally; local prices vary.
• Does a gutter contractor need to be registered in Louisiana? For residential projects of $7,500 to under $50,000, home improvement contractors must register with the State Licensing Board for Contractors and carry liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
• How much rain does New Orleans get? About 63 inches a year on average at the airport under the 1991–2020 normals, far more than most U.S. cities.
• 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.

One of the rainiest cities in the country

New Orleans averages about 63 inches of rain a year at Louis Armstrong International Airport (NOAA 1991–2020 normals), far more than most of the country. Summer brings almost daily thunderstorms, and tropical systems can bring several inches in a day. Much of the city sits at or below sea level, so every drop of roof water that is not managed ends up somewhere it causes trouble: against piers and foundations, under raised homes, across walkways and into already-busy drainage systems.

Gutters in New Orleans work harder than almost anywhere. Undersized 5-inch gutters overflow in ordinary afternoon storms. Most installers recommend 6-inch gutters with 3x4-inch downspouts on larger roofs, and more outlets than a home in a drier climate would need. See downspout size and placement.

Raised homes, shotguns and historic districts

The city’s housing is unlike anywhere else: shotgun houses, double-galleries, Creole cottages and raised center-hall homes, many a century old or more, often with built-in gutters behind parapets, half-round gutters or decorative cornices. Neighborhoods such as the French Quarter, Marigny, Treme, the Garden District and Uptown include historic districts where visible exterior changes need review. Half-round gutters with round downspouts and copper suit many of these homes. See half-round vs. K-style and box gutters on old homes.

On raised homes, where downspouts discharge matters: water dumped under the house keeps the crawl space wet. Extensions to the yard or connections to approved drainage keep it drier.

Hurricanes and salt air

The New Orleans area has a long hurricane history, from Katrina in 2005 to Ida in 2021, and every season brings the risk of wind and flying debris. Gutters are among the first things damaged in a storm. Hidden hangers screwed into sound fascia at close spacing, heavier-gauge aluminum, corrosion-resistant fasteners and secure downspout straps make gutters far sturdier. Near Lake Pontchartrain and the coast, salt air corrodes thin metal and plain steel fasteners. Read gutters near the coast and gutters in hurricane season.

Typical costs in New Orleans

These are published cost figures for orientation only, not quotes. City averages include smaller jobs such as partial runs; a full seamless system on a large or two-story home usually lands at the upper end of the range or above. The installer you are connected with measures your home and gives you the actual price.

We did not find a reliable published local average for New Orleans. Historic profiles and copper cost more. More detail: cost guide.

Termites, moisture and wood

New Orleans’ warm, wet climate is hard on wood. Fascia boards, rafter tails and trim that stay wet from overflowing or leaking gutters rot quickly and attract insects. Before new gutters go up, the installer should check the fascia along every run and replace soft boards. Gutters that stay clear and drain well are one of the best ways to keep the roof edge dry.

Louisiana contractor rules

In Louisiana, home improvement contractors must register with the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors when a residential project is worth $7,500 or more but less than $50,000, including labor and materials. Registration requires proof of general liability insurance of at least $100,000 and workers’ compensation coverage. Larger projects require a residential building contractor license. Many full gutter replacements with guards fall into the registration range, so ask for the registration number and check it with the Board.

After storms, the state regularly warns about unlicensed contractors. Get a written contract, never pay in full up front, and verify registration before any work starts.

Choosing gutters for a New Orleans home

• 6-inch gutters and 3x4-inch downspouts for heavy rain: 6-inch gutters.
• Half-round and copper on historic homes: copper and half-round gutters.
• Hurricane-ready attachment: gutter hangers explained.
• Guards under live oaks: gutter guards.

Independent installers take calls from across the New Orleans area, including New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Gretna, Harvey, Marrero, Westwego, Belle Chasse, Arabi, Chalmette, Meraux, Destrehan, Luling, Hahnville, Boutte, Des Allemands, LaPlace, Garyville, Gramercy and Lutcher.

Sources

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