Downspout: A pipe made to carry the rain water from a gutter system away from the house and toward the ground

Drainage: A system of gutters and downspouts designed to carry water away from the house

Drip-edge extension: An extended edge on a gutter that keeps water from washing over the fascia of your home and potentially rotting it

Drop outlet: The section of gutter that has a hole in the bottom for water to travel to the downspout or a storage tank

Eaves gutter: Any gutter that is attached to an eaves overhang

End cap: A piece of formed plastic that is fitted over the end of a run of gutter

Fall: The slope of a stretch of gutter measured by the vertical rise to the horizontal distance

Gauge: The thickness of the gutter material, which can range from .019 to .032 inches with .032 inches being the optimum

Gutter: The trough or pipe system that catches and directs water coming off the roof

Gutter hanger: The strip of material used to hold the gutter in place

Leader: Any pipe that carries the water from the gutter to the ground, such as a downspout

Linear feet: The length measurement for a system of gutters. 12-inches of length is one linear foot; the width or thickness of the gutters does not influence the linear length of the material

Mitres: Mitres are corners for the gutter system manufactured by the same company that makes the rest of the system; they are designed to turn corners seamlessly in the system for a cleaner look

Offset: A pipe that directs the downspout under the eaves toward the house, then down the length of the house

Rain barrel: A water storage unit installed at the end of a downspout to collect water caught in the gutters

Rain chain: A decorative chain used in place of a downspout to direct water away from the house

Run: Any horizontal length of roof gutter

Run Height: The run height refers to the height at which the gutters are installed, such as on a second story or third story of a house

Soaker: Any small amount of gutter installed on the upper portion of a chimney

Sole: The bottom of the internal area of a length of roof gutter

Spike and Ferrule: A metal tube that is placed inside the roof gutters to keep them from bending

Splashblock: A plastic, metal, or concrete pad used at the end of the downspouts to further direct water away from the house

Strap: A hanger that is used to secure the downspout to the side of the house