looking for suggestions on gutterrs...

Hello, I'm new to the DIY thing. I live in VT where we get a lot of ice and snow, and am wondering what the best type of gutter is that would stand up to this kind of weather, and/or how to prevent them from being torn off by the snow and ice (I have a shingle roof, but with about a 2-foot tin edge). I've also read a little about french drains, but not sure if it's worth the time (in the ground around my house there appears to be what used to be a french drain, I can see the end of one pipe sticking out the front yard, I found it when I cut down a large pine shrub that had grown over it). Should I bother with gutters and just try replacing the old french drain?

 

I have a trick for installing 5" seamless aluminum eavestrough on a house with the tin edge like you described.
I start on the end opposite my downspout, and I hold a straight edge like my level down the roof. This simulates the path that ice would take as it rockets down your roof. I know that as long as I put the eavestrough beneath this imaginary line the ice will (generally) be able to clear it.



This technique seems to work fine where I install in northern ontario. I'm not sure how much snow you get where you are, but I would imagine it's comparable.

A few things to think about concerning ice buildup:
-A poorly insulated attic will cause extra ice to build up on your roof
-Where possible, try to knock down any big snow drifts, as they will tear the eavestrough off your house

On a steel roof I install steel eavestrough with heavy steel brackets and special strapping that stands up to any amount of ice, but for the cost I would recommend you stick with aluminum in the method I described, maybe space your brackets around 12" if you want to beef it up a little more.