Difference Between Gutter and Floor Drain
Both gutters and floor drains are used to collect and direct surface water towards the sewage system. However, there are differences between these two products, which we will discuss below. First, we will introduce gutters and floor drains and then outline their differences.
Both gutters and floor drains are used to collect and direct surface water towards the sewage system. However, there are differences between these two products, which we will discuss below. First, we will introduce gutters and floor drains and then outline their differences. With this information, you can make a better choice and select the best product for floor coverage, considering the space and sanitary fixtures you use.
Understanding Floor Drains
A floor drain is essentially a vent that connects the sewer pipe to the surface. Floor drains are typically designed with a narrow width but a long length. Their depth ranges between two or three centimeters. In spaces like bathrooms, kitchens, and showers, using a floor drain is essential. When water from sanitary fixtures spills onto the surface, the floor drain directs the water to the sewage system through the slope it creates. The interior part of the floor drain may feature a grille, be entirely stainless steel, or accommodate stone or ceramic. We will discuss the material of floor drains in more detail later.
Today, floor drains come in various types and are selected based on their intended use. Since this article aims to highlight the differences between floor drains and gutters, we will examine linear floor drains, which resemble gutters. Linear floor drains are also known as linear shower drains. These products are typically available in various lengths but have consistent widths and come in either ABS or full stainless steel. Most manufacturers also produce custom-sized floor drains with specific thicknesses, lengths, and widths to meet customer preferences.
Understanding Gutters
Gutter is actually a type of pre-fabricated channel used for collecting and directing water. If we want to translate the meaning of “gutter” into Persian, we could say that gutters are a kind of trough. Gutters are commonly used for building entrance ramps, pools, parking lot floors, boiler rooms, roof gardens, factories, terraces, industrial kitchens, and other technical and industrial spaces.
The constructed channels are mostly made of polyamide, while the grilles are usually made of polyamide, steel, or cast iron. Gutters are generally categorized based on the material of the cover or grille. Nowadays, gutters in the market are divided into cast iron grilles, ceramic grilles, slim-line grilles, steel grilles, and polyamide grilles.
What Are the Differences Between Gutters and Floor Drains?
When planning to use different products for a space, it’s important to understand their differences and select the appropriate one. Just as selecting the right sanitary fixtures for a space is crucial, choosing the right floor covering is also important. In this section, we will discuss the differences between floor drains and gutters.
Based on what was discussed above, linear floor drains can be considered a type of gutter. However, it is not correct to say that every linear floor drain is a gutter. Gutters generally have larger vents compared to floor drains and also feature more channels. Despite this, some articles and sources may refer to both gutters and linear floor drains simply as linear floor drains.
Material
Another significant difference between gutters and floor drains is the type of material used in their construction. Gutters are typically used in spaces like pools, open areas, parking lots, and large spaces. Additionally, gutters are generally made of cast iron, polyamide, composite polyamide, and steel.
In contrast, linear floor drains are made from stainless steel. There are various types of gutters available in the market, including PVC gutters, boiler room gutters, pre-fabricated gutters, industrial gutters, parking lot and ramp gutters, etc. Using the right floor covering along with high-quality kitchen fixtures can significantly optimize your space and reduce final costs.
Weight Capacity
Weight capacity is another important difference between gutters and floor drains. Gutters are much more resistant to bearing weight and pressure. To put it in numerical terms, linear floor drains can support a maximum weight of one ton, while gutters can withstand up to 25 tons.
To better understand the difference between these two, consider the following example: imagine a parking lot in a residential complex where the floor covering is a gutter. Throughout the day, a large number of cars pass over the gutters.
Therefore, the gutter must have a high weight capacity. On the other hand, in spaces like bathrooms, kitchens, or restrooms, using linear floor drains is common. Linear floor drains in these types of spaces only need to support the weight of one or a few individuals at most. With this explanation, it is clear that just as you are meticulous about installing sanitary fixtures, you should also be cautious about installing floor coverings.
Different Installation
Another difference between these two products is related to their installation method. These two products differ significantly in their installation. The installation method for linear floor drains is usually much simpler than that of gutters and does not involve much hassle. Products measuring 150 cm are generally among the largest floor drains, but they are still smaller than gutters. This explanation makes it clear that the size difference between gutters and floor drains clearly indicates the difference in their application and ease of installation.
Final Thoughts
If we look back at the past years, we will see that most buildings used square or point drains. However, the floor slope design in older buildings was not ideal, which required architects to slightly tilt the slope towards the center of the floor. But with the advent of linear floor drains and gutters, this situation changed, and simply sloping the floor in one direction became sufficient.
In this article, we discussed various types of floor drains and gutters and explained their differences. Remember that just as choosing the right sanitary fixtures is important for a building, choosing the right type of floor covering is also crucial. Therefore, try to select the appropriate type of floor covering by understanding the differences.
Source: shouder
