Gutter vs. Rhone — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 16, 2024
A gutter is a channel attached to roofs to collect rainwater, while a rhone is a similar channel used mainly in Scottish terminology for the same purpose.
Difference Between Gutter and Rhone
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A gutter is a trough or channel attached to the edge of a roof to collect and divert rainwater away from the building's foundation. Gutters are essential for preventing water damage to a building's structure by managing roof runoff. A rhone, on the other hand, is a term used primarily in Scotland to describe the same type of drainage channel found along the edge of a roof. While functionally identical to gutters, rhones are part of regional terminology.
While gutters are commonly used in American English, rhone is the term more frequently used in Scottish English. Both terms refer to components of a building's rainwater management system, ensuring that water is properly collected and diverted.
Gutters are often found in various architectural styles and are a standard feature in most residential and commercial buildings. In contrast, rhones, being a regional term, are more commonly referenced in Scottish contexts but may be understood in broader British English.
The installation process and maintenance for gutters and rhones are similar, involving regular cleaning to prevent clogs from leaves and debris. Both systems require proper sloping to ensure effective water flow to the downspouts and away from the building's foundation.
Gutters and rhones serve the same function of managing rainwater runoff from roofs but differ mainly in their regional terminology and usage.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Roof edge channel for rainwater
Scottish term for roof edge rainwater channel
Common Material
Aluminum, steel, vinyl
Aluminum, steel, vinyl
Terminology
American English
Scottish English
Usage
Widespread in residential and commercial buildings
Common in Scottish contexts
Maintenance
Regular cleaning and slope adjustment
Regular cleaning and slope adjustment
Compare with Definitions
Gutter
Roof channel for rainwater.
The house has new aluminum gutters installed last week.
Rhone
Scottish term for roof gutter.
The old cottage had rusted rhones needing replacement.
Gutter
Component of rainwater management.
Gutters help prevent water damage to the house.
Rhone
Equivalent to gutters.
The contractor explained the need for regular rhone maintenance.
Gutter
A shallow trough fixed beneath the edge of a roof for carrying off rainwater.
Rhone
Roof drainage in Scottish buildings.
The rhone system ensured proper water flow from the roof.
Gutter
The blank space between facing pages of a book or between adjacent columns of type or stamps in a sheet.
Rhone
Installed along roof edges.
Rhones are essential in preventing water damage to Scottish homes.
Gutter
(of a candle or flame) flicker and burn unsteadily.
Rhone
Rainwater channel in Scotland.
The rhone was leaking at the joint.
Gutter
Make channels or furrows in (something)
My cheeks are guttered with tears
Rhone
(Scotland) A horizontal section of guttering, collecting rainwater from a roof.
Gutter
A channel at the edge of a street or road for carrying off surface water.
Rhone
A major French river; flows into the Mediterranean near Marseilles;
The valley of the Rhone is famous for its vineyards
Gutter
A trough fixed under or along the eaves for draining rainwater from a roof. Also called regionally eaves trough, rainspout, spouting.
Gutter
A furrow or groove formed by running water.
Gutter
A trough or channel for carrying something off, such as that on either side of a bowling alley or that almost level with the water in some swimming pools.
Gutter
(Printing) The white space formed by the inner margins of two facing pages, as of a book.
Gutter
A degraded and squalid class or state of human existence.
Gutter
To form gutters or furrows in
Heavy rain guttered the hillside.
Gutter
To provide with gutters.
Gutter
To flow in channels or rivulets
Rainwater guttered along the curb.
Gutter
To melt away through the side of the hollow formed by a burning wick. Used of a candle.
Gutter
To burn low and unsteadily; flicker
The flame guttered in the lamp.
Gutter
Vulgar, sordid, or unprincipled
Gutter language.
The gutter press.
Gutter
A prepared channel in a surface, especially at the side of a road adjacent to a curb, intended for the drainage of water.
Gutter
A ditch along the side of a road.
Gutter
A duct or channel beneath the eaves of a building to carry rain water; eavestrough.
The gutters must be cleared of leaves a few times a year.
Gutter
(bowling) A groove down the sides of a bowling lane.
You can decide to use the bumpers to avoid the ball going down the gutter every time.
Gutter
A large groove (commonly behind animals) in a barn used for the collection and removal of animal excrement.
Gutter
Any narrow channel or groove, such as one formed by erosion in the vent of a gun from repeated firing.
Gutter
(typography) A space between printed columns of text.
Gutter
(printing) One of a number of pieces of wood or metal, grooved in the centre, used to separate the pages of type in a form.
Gutter
(philately) An unprinted space between rows of stamps.
Gutter
(British) A drainage channel.
Gutter
The notional locus of things, acts, or events which are distasteful, ill bred or morally questionable.
Gutter
(figuratively) A low, vulgar state.
Get your mind out of the gutter.
What kind of gutter language is that? I ought to wash your mouth out with soap.
Gutter
(comics) The spaces between comic book panels.
Gutter
One who or that which guts.
Gutter
To flow or stream; to form gutters.
Gutter
(of a candle) To melt away by having the molten wax run down along the side of the candle.
Gutter
(of a small flame) To flicker as if about to be extinguished.
Gutter
(transitive) To send (a bowling ball) into the gutter, not hitting any pins.
Gutter
(transitive) To supply with a gutter or gutters.
Gutter
(transitive) To cut or form into small longitudinal hollows; to channel.
Gutter
A channel at the eaves of a roof for conveying away the rain; an eaves channel; an eaves trough.
Gutter
A small channel at the roadside or elsewhere, to lead off surface water.
Gutters running with ale.
Gutter
Any narrow channel or groove; as, a gutter formed by erosion in the vent of a gun from repeated firing.
Gutter
Either of two sunken channels at either side of the bowling alley, leading directly to the sunken pit behind the pins. Balls not thrown accurately at the pins will drop into such a channel bypassing the pins, and resulting in a score of zero for that bowl.
Gutter
To cut or form into small longitudinal hollows; to channel.
Gutter
To supply with a gutter or gutters.
Gutter
To become channeled, as a candle when the flame flares in the wind.
Gutter
A channel along the eaves or on the roof; collects and carries away rainwater
Gutter
Misfortune resulting in lost effort or money;
His career was in the gutter
All that work went down the sewer
Pensions are in the toilet
Gutter
A worker who guts things (fish or buildings or cars etc.)
Gutter
A tool for gutting fish
Gutter
Burn unsteadily, feebly, or low; flicker;
The cooling lava continued to gutter toward lower ground
Gutter
Flow in small streams;
Tears guttered down her face
Gutter
Wear or cut gutters into;
The heavy rain guttered the soil
Gutter
Provide with gutters;
Gutter the buildings
Gutter
Water drainage system for roofs.
The gutters were clogged with leaves after the storm.
Gutter
Roof-edge trough.
The gutter directs rainwater away from the foundation.
Gutter
Attached to roof edges.
He climbed the ladder to clean the gutters before winter.
Common Curiosities
What is a gutter?
A gutter is a channel attached to the edge of a roof to collect and divert rainwater.
Where is the term rhone used?
Rhone is used primarily in Scotland and in broader British English contexts.
Do gutters and rhones have the same function?
Yes, both are designed to manage rainwater runoff from roofs.
What is a rhone?
A rhone is a Scottish term for a gutter, serving the same function of collecting and diverting rainwater from roofs.
Are gutters and rhones made from the same materials?
Yes, both are typically made from materials like aluminum, steel, and vinyl.
Where are gutters commonly used?
Gutters are commonly used in American English and are found on residential and commercial buildings.
How often should gutters be cleaned?
Gutters should be cleaned regularly, especially after storms or in the fall.
Do rhones have specific styles unique to Scotland?
While styles may vary, the basic function and design are similar to gutters elsewhere.
Can I install gutter guards on rhones?
Yes, gutter guards can be installed on both gutters and rhones to prevent debris buildup.
Can rhones and gutters be installed on all types of buildings?
Yes, they can be installed on various building types to manage rainwater.
Is there a difference in design between gutters and rhones?
The design is generally similar, but terminology and slight regional preferences may vary.
Why is it important to maintain rhones?
Maintaining rhones is crucial to prevent water damage and ensure proper drainage.
Do gutters and rhones require professional installation?
Professional installation is recommended for proper fitting and functionality.
What happens if gutters or rhones are not maintained?
Without maintenance, they can clog, leading to water overflow and potential damage.
What is the primary purpose of a gutter or rhone?
The primary purpose is to direct rainwater away from a building's foundation to prevent damage.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
