South Atlantic Gutters provides professional solutions for seamless gutter installation, gutter guards, and gutter cleaning for your home or business.

Gutter Installation in Savannah, GA

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Gutters Savannah, GA

You know that relatively simple fixture that runs along the edge of your roof? You may be surprised, but some homeowners aren't really aware of how important gutters are for protecting their homes. While it's true that professionally installed gutters create a clean, crisp edge around the roofline of your home, a gutter's true purpose is for much more than aesthetics.

No matter how gently rain pitter-patters on your roof, all that water eventually builds up and runs off in a powerful surge. If it's not diverted correctly, it will hammer the ground near your home's foundation - and foundations and water don't mix well. Pooling water along your home's foundation line erodes soil and seeps downward, boosting your risk of structural instability and leaks.

Gutters are essential for your house, and we've only touched on a single benefit. There are many more. It stands to reason, then, that if you need old gutters repaired or new gutter installation in cityname, state, you hire a gutter company with years of experience to get the job done right. You wouldn't want one of your home's most important features to be mishandled or improperly added to your home. That's where South Atlantic Gutters comes in.

Service Areas

We offer a wide range of gutter-related services, including:

 Gutter Cleaning Savannah, GA

Gutter Installation: When your home doesn't have gutters, water can be a big problem. Schedule your new superior gutter installation today.

 Gutter Installation Savannah, GA

Gutter Cleaning: Cleaning gutters is a hassle. Put away those dangerous ladders and let professionals with years of experience take care of this.

 Gutter Guards Savannah, GA

Gutter Repair: When your gutters are in disrepair, your home's structural integrity is on the line. Our team repairs gutters of every shape and size.

 New Gutter Installation Savannah, GA

Fascia Board Repair: Fascia boards are a structural piece of your home and roof. A rotted fascia board can cause damage, injury, or worse.

 Commercial Gutters Savannah, GA

Gutter Guards: Stainless-steel mesh, optimally sized, and substrate material are hemmed into a heavy-duty aluminum body.

 Gutter Companies Savannah, GA

Whether you're in need of hearty gutter guards, fascia board repair, or a combination of gutter services, our process keeps you informed and updated every step of the way. We strive to ensure every aspect of our gutter service is stress-free, convenient, and affordable. To accomplish that, every gutter project we accept is accompanied by an on-site consultation, a detailed estimate, professional installation, and verification of installation. That way, you can rest easy knowing your seamless gutters are installed properly and efficiently by a certified pro.

 Seamless Gutters Savannah, GA

Live Free of Debris with Gutter Cleaning in Savannah, GA

If you're like most homeowners, cleaning your gutters every year is about as fun as going to the dentist for a root canal. OK, maybe we're exaggerating, but the truth is that gutter cleaning is often the lowest on your "to-do" list. We get it - gutter cleaning is a dirty and potentially dangerous job that involves time, effort, ladders, and elbow grease. Most of our clients are too busy to risk their health and safety cleaning out gutters while on the roof of their homes. But without clean gutters, your home and family are at risk.

That's where working with South Atlantic Gutters comes into play. We're happy to handle the hard work and heavy lifting for you. That way, you can focus on completing your day-to-day obligations instead of risking your neck high up on a ladder.

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Recurring gutter cleaning and maintenance from SAG comes with a host of benefits, such as:

Preventing Water Damage

Preventing Water Damage

One of the most important jobs that gutters have is channeling water away from your home and its foundation. However, when your gutters are clogged and full of debris, they don't function properly. That means it's only a matter of time before your foundation is flooded and your home's structural integrity is at risk.

Eliminating Pests

Eliminating Pests

Squirrels, rats, insects, and other pests absolutely love turning your home's gutters into their own private residence. When your gutters are clogged with leaves, twigs, and other debris, you're basically asking for pests to nest there. Often, these pests carry harmful bacteria and diseases like West Nile Virus that put your family at risk. By having your gutters cleaned, you uproot these pests from living in your gutters. This helps prevent pests from damaging your gutters and, more importantly, protects your family.

Extending the Life of Your Roof

Extending the Life of Your Roof

During the winter months of the year, clogged gutters tend to trap ice among the debris, adding a bunch of extra stress and weight onto your roof. This additional weight often causes materials to degrade and even collapse. To make matters worse, clogged gutters won't drain water as intended. That causes water to pool on parts of your roof. In the winter, this pooled water can move your shingles apart, which leads to leaks. Having your gutters cleaned means water and ice will flow off your roof properly, eliminating pooling and excess weight.

As licensed and insured gutter cleaners, we know what it takes to keep your gutters clean. If you're ready to ditch the debris, contact our office today to learn more about our gutter cleaning and maintenance plans for your home.

Gutter Guards in Savannah, GA: The One-Time Investment You'll Love

Making it a point to keep your gutters clean is a great idea. But many homeowners don't have the time or patience to do so themselves. Instead of having gutter cleaning and maintenance performed twice a year, they prefer a more hands-off, one-time solution. That's where gutter guards start to make a whole lot of sense.

Gutter guards are a simple and effective way to keep twigs, leaves, and even pests out. They not only keep undesirable items out of your gutters, but they also protect your home, prevent mold, and keep your gutters in great working order.

As a one-time investment, gutter covers can also protect your home from expensive repairs, which saves you money over time. The bottom line is that the benefits of gutter guards are nearly endless, making them a savvy investment for any homeowner.

Some of the most-cited benefits of gutter guards include:

 Gutter Contractors Savannah, GA
Save Time & Money

Save Time & Money from Expensive Repairs

Clogged gutters lead to water buildup and, eventually, water backup. When water is backed up in your gutters, it leads to structural damage, resulting in costly repairs. We're talking fascia board repair, gutter replacements, and even roof damage. Gutter guards prevent debris from getting in your gutters to begin with, eliminating the cost and worry of clogged drains and downspouts.

Protect Your Property

Protect Your Property

When your gutters are clogged, and water doesn't drain properly, it leaks around the edges of your roof and spills down the sides of your home. That's great for plant growth, but it's horrible for expensive items like sidewalks, fences, landscaping, and your foundation.

Prevent Mold

Prevent Mold

If your gutters don't channel water away from your home correctly, the water doesn't magically disappear. It ends up collecting around your home, which leads to flooding. Flooding leads to mildew and mold growth - an incredibly undesirable situation that is expensive to fix at best and deadly at worst. With gutter guards, you can rest easy knowing rainwater is being channeled away from your home correctly.

If you plan on staying in your home for years to come, investing in gutter guards is a no-brainer. Contact our office today to schedule your gutter guard consultation today.

Affordable, Efficient Gutter Installation in Savannah, GA

Gutters Savannah, GA

If you're buying or building a new home or you're updating your current residence, quality gutter installation is a must-have. Having new gutters installed keeps rain and excess water off your roof and away from your home, preventing leaks and protecting your property's integrity.

At South Atlantic Gutters, we offer a selection of new gutters to choose from that perfectly accent your home, from standard to seamless gutters. Whether you need new gutter installation from start to finish or replacement gutters on your existing home, our team handles the job with expertise and efficiency.

Unlike some gutter installation companies, we use the highest quality materials and products and pride ourselves on responsive customer service. That way, you have comfort knowing your roof, gutters, and home are in confident, capable hands.


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How Do I Know if I Need New Gutter Installation?

Just like the roof of your home, with time, your gutters will need to be replaced, even if you're good about maintenance and gutter repair in Savannah, GA. If you notice any of the following signs, it might be time to call South Atlantic Gutters for a gutter installation consultation.

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 Gutter Services Savannah, GA

Separations or Splits - The seam or area where two gutter pieces connect is the weak point of any gutter system. If your gutters are pulling apart at the seams, your gutter system is likely at the end of its lifespan.

Rust or Peeling Paint - Typically, gutters are coated or painted with weatherproofing in mind. Peeling paint might not seem like the biggest of deals, but it's an indicator that your gutters are on the way out. If you notice rust or rust flakes on or near your gutters, you probably need new gutter installation ASAP.

Washed Away Dirt - The next time you're outside, take a look at the ground under your gutters. If you notice large, empty channels or ruts where dirt has been washed away, it's probably time to consider installing new gutters.

Flooded Basement - When gutters work as they should, they direct water away from your home, so it doesn't leak into your foundation. Once this happens, it's only a matter of time before water is in your basement. If your basement has pools of water every time it rains, contact SAG for a gutter installation consultation.

More than Just an Accent Piece: Fascia Board Repair in Savannah, GA

Also called soffit boards, the fascia board on your home is a significant part of your gutter and roofing system. Soffits or fascia are the boards covering the underside of your eaves, where the edge of your roof overhangs the exterior walls. The fascia board is easy to identify since it's the wood board nailed on the edge of your roof. Your fascia board is typically painted or stained the same color as your roof.

It's the part of your house that holds the gutters, downspouts, and ventilation for your roof. More than just an accent piece, your fascia board also protects the pipes and wiring running across and under your roof. Though typically constructed of wood, this part of your home can also be made using vinyl or other materials.

If they are damaged or not maintained properly, it can affect the aesthetic value of your home. Poorly maintained fascia boards are unsightly and can make your home look unkempt and neglected. Damaged fascia leads to additional damage to other parts of your home if it's not fixed quickly. When left unfixed, damaged fascia causes rot, mold, and damage to the flooring and other parts of your home.

That's especially concerning for the humid, windy climate found in South Carolina and across the Southeast. The bottom line? Functional soffit or fascia boards are critical in preventing moisture and animals from entering your home.

 Gutter Cleaning Savannah, GA

Keep a close eye out for the following signs of fascia board disrepair:

Signs of Animals

Signs of Animals

One of the jobs of fascia and soffits is to keep critters out of your attic and off your roof. If you notice pests sneaking in your home or have a full-blown infestation, your fascia may need repairing.

Cracks in Paint

Cracks in Paint

If you see cracks or flaking paint on your fascia boards, there's a good chance that moisture is coming into your home. Contact SAG for fascia board repair today.

No Ventilation

No Ventilation

Another role of fascia board is to give some ventilation to your attic. If your attic seems to lack any airflow, it could be due to faulty fascia board.

Water Leaks

Water Leaks

When water leaks into your home via your soffits or fascia board, it causes costly damage like rotted wood and mold growth. Consider repairing or replacing your fascia board if you notice signs of a water leak.

What Client Say About Us

 Gutter Installation Savannah, GA

South Atlantic Gutters: A Gutter Company You Can Rely On

At South Atlantic Gutters, we're committed to providing you with a stress-free, streamlined, helpful experience. When you give us the opportunity to clean, repair, or install your gutters, our team of experts will provide exemplary service at prices that won't break the bank. It's just that simple. From the time we visit your home for a consultation to the moment we complete our final walkthrough, your satisfaction is our top priority.

Is it time to get started with new gutter installation in Savannah, GA? We're ready to protect your home and family with the best gutters in town. Use the handy forms on our website or give our office a call today to schedule your estimate. We appreciate the opportunity to earn your business every step of the way.

Free Estimate phone-number 888-700-1003

Latest News in Savannah, GA

What kind of things can fans expect from the Savannah Bananas in Des Moines this weekend?

As Savannah Bananas owner Jesse Cole and his staff prepared for their trip to Des Moines this week, there was some important bit of research they needed to do.The traveling team, known for its outlandish skits and unique rules, tries to tailor bits of each game to the town they’re in. So, to get a better understanding of Des Moines, Cole did some googling. One of his searches.The Iowa State Fair.“We always search unique competitions, unique challenges, unique things we can do,” Cole said ...

As Savannah Bananas owner Jesse Cole and his staff prepared for their trip to Des Moines this week, there was some important bit of research they needed to do.

The traveling team, known for its outlandish skits and unique rules, tries to tailor bits of each game to the town they’re in. So, to get a better understanding of Des Moines, Cole did some googling. One of his searches.

The Iowa State Fair.

“We always search unique competitions, unique challenges, unique things we can do,” Cole said in a telephone interview with the Des Moines Register this week. “So, just by doing research, you can find what some of the national headline-worthy things that happen.”

It’s a slight sneak peek into one of the most anticipated shows to come to Des Moines this summer. The Bananas are scheduled to play in front of sold-out crowds at Principal Park, the home of the Iowa Cubs, on Friday and Saturday nights. The team will have its typical unusual antics which have made them world famous along with some other twists and turns.

More:Savannah Bananas baseball team sells out two games at Principal Park in Des Moines

They have their Banana Ball rules that include two-hour time limits, no stepping out of the batter's box, no bunting, no walking and no mound visits. Batters can steal first base and fans can catch foul balls for outs. Every inning is worth a point and there is a showdown tiebreaker. The Bananas are also well-known for their choreographed dances, wild walk-ups to the plate and epic scoring celebrations.

Cole guarantees fans that no matter what stop on the tour they go to a game, they’re assured to see something different. Even opening night in Des Moines will have some wrinkles that the second night won’t. And vice versa. The only constant, he said, is the majority of the team’s pre-game activities. Other than that, everything else is a wild ride of craziness that he assures will keep even frequent fans on the edge of their seats.

“We have some fans traveling,” Cole said. “It’s almost like Deadheads, back in the day and you went to different Grateful Dead shows because they were doing different set lists every single night.”

Keeping everything fresh is vital and difficult. But the Bananas have done it and become YouTube stars and must-see action wherever they’ve gone this summer. Cole credits their weekly OTT (over-the-top) meetings with their creative team. He said players have also come up with their own ideas, some of which they've discovered online, that they try to mix into the evening.

More:Excitement is building for the Savannah Bananas' Des Moines stop. Here's what to know

The ideas have led to a wide range of entertainment on the field this summer. The Bananas lit a ball on fire, turned off the stadium lights for a special hitting entrance and even had a player, who used to play hockey, go to the plate with a stick.

In the past, they've enlisted the help of celebrities with pitcher Jake Peavy pitching in a game with his Gold Glove. Cole said they haven't lined up any celebrities for their stop in Iowa yet. They will, however, tap into Iowa's world-famous fair as part of the festivities.

“I think we’re going to have some fun with some unique competitions,” Cole said. “We know the Iowa State Fair is known for some of their unique competitions. I think we’re going to play on that with some of the promotions and some of the things the guys will be doing, some of the fans will be doing.”

Coming up with the ideas is just the first part of the plan. Finding a way to work them into games is the next hurdle. The team traveling party, which consists of around 150 people including players from the Bananas and their opponent the Party Animals, the front office staff, the ticket and entertainment team and the broadcast crew, arrives in Des Moines Thursday. They'll spend two hours every game day doing rehearsal for the skits.

"There's some promotions that we're going to do that I think will be fitting to Iowa," Cole said. "But in regards to player stuff, we're still crafting that. We've got a lot of opportunities, a lot of things we haven't done that we've had on our wish list that will probably come out as we're nearing the end of the tour."

If things go well this weekend, Des Moines could be back on the Bananas' tour. Cole said the city is already on his radar for a possible return because of the size of the stadium and the strong interest from fans. But how the entire experience goes will play a big role in the decision.

More:Savannah Bananas bringing 'Banana Ball' to Principal Park in Des Moines. Here's what you need to know.

So far, he likes what he sees, especially the outpouring of support the team has heard from fans gearing up for this weekend's games. The excitement was so strong that the Bananas, who originally scheduled only one night in town, added a second date.

"There's a lot going for Des Moines for the future and we hope that we can come back," Cole said. "That would be our goal."

Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018 and 2020 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468.

Today's Forecast for Tybee Island, GA

Today's Forecast for Tybee Island, GA87°Partly Cloudy...

Today's Forecast for Tybee Island, GA

87°

Partly Cloudy

Chance of Rain15%

86°

Partly Cloudy

Chance of Rain15%

Clear Night
Clear Night

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Weather Today in Tybee Island, GA

High / Low

88°/76°

Wind

72%

30.00 in

Visibility

9 mi

Don't Miss

Vote for who will be the 2023 Savannah-area football player of the year — 50 nominees

Here's a chance for local high school football fans to cast their vote in a reader's poll selecting the Greater Savannah Area Player of the Year — ...

Here's a chance for local high school football fans to cast their vote in a reader's poll selecting the Greater Savannah Area Player of the Year — a week after the season got started in Georgia.

Here are 50 players to choose from with at least one from each team playing in the Greater Savannah area. The winner is decided by the poll of readers.

Voting will conclude on Thursday, Aug. 24, with the winner announced Friday.

52 Breakout Players to watch in SavannahHere are 52 breakout football players to watch in the Greater Savannah-area entering 2023

BC/Jenkins opener disrupted by fans'Absolutely embarrassing:' Benedictine-Jenkins football game ends early due to unruly fans

Savannah area region football breakdownsRegion outlooks for Savannah area high school football programs. How they'll play out in 2023

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Elijah Griffin, Savannah Christian, DL, jr.

Luke Kromenhoek, Benedictine, QB, sr.

Jake Merklinger, Calvary Day, QB, sr.

Zo Smalls, Savannah Christian, RB, jr.

Nick Bliss, Richmond Hill, ATH, sr.

Jayden Evans, Effingham County, RB, sr.

Doopah Coleman, Calvary Day, ATH, jr.

Malachi Lonnon, New Hampstead, WR, sr.

Michael Smith, Calvary Day, TE, sr.

Nate Hayes, Effingham County, QB, sr.

Ron Golden, Liberty County, WR/DB, sr.

Jacobe Ward, Benedictine, OL, jr.

Zach Pearson, New Hampstead, OL, sr.

Thomas Zimbalatti, Richmond Hill, OL, jr.

Elyjah Thurmon, Bradwell Institute, OL, sr.

Camron Thompson, Jenkins, OL, soph.

Rooster Bing, Savannah Country Day, OL/DL, sr.

Carlos Singleton, Liberty County, QB, sr.

Thomas Blackshear, Calvary Day, WR, jr.

Logan Brooking, Savannah Christian, TE/DL, jr.

Jaylen Hampton, New Hampstead, WR, sr.

Josh Washington, Savannah Country Day, WR. soph.

Kenry Wall, Savannah Christian, ATH, jr.

Wilkes Albert, Benedictine, LB, sr.

Na'Seir Samuel, Benedictine, RB, sr.

Walter "Buddy" Mathis, Calvary Day, DL, jr.

David Bucey, Savannah Christian, LB/WR, sr.

Lorenzo Cowan, Jenkins, LB/DE, sr.

Bryce Baker, Benedictine, LB/RB, sr.

Tyler Scott, Savannah Country Day, LB, jr.

Tanner Ennis, Bryan County, DB/RB, sr.

A.J. Butts, Effingham County, LB/RB, sr.

Herbert "Third" Scroggins, Benedictine, LB, jr.

Jordan Davis, Calvary Day, LB, sr.

Caden Arnold, Calvary Day, WR, sr.

Cash Ramirez, Savannah Country Day, K, soph.

Stephen Fox Jr., Savannah High, RB/ATH, jr.

Triston Randall, Bethesda, QB/LB, sr.

Tyler Kindle, Memorial Day, QB, sr.

Noah Jenkins, Bethesda, RB, sr.

Jeremiah Washington, South Effingham, LB, sr.

Charles Chappell, Memorial Day, WR, sr.

Zayden Edwards, St. Andrew's, QB, jr.

Rakari Harrison, St. Andrew's, DE/TE, sr.

Kaden De Genaro, South Effingham, QB, sr.

Hyers Holland, Savannah Country Day, RB, jr.

Jayden Sutton, Islands, WR, jr.

Demetrius Holloway, Beach, QB, soph.

Trenton Tukes, Groves, QB, sr.

Isaiah Scott, Johnson, LB/RB, jr.

Vic Walker, Windsor Forest, RB, sr.

Austin Clemons, Bryan County, RB/LB, sr.

Damion Guyton, Savannah Christian, DE, fresh.

Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN

Vote for the Greater Savannah area Week 1 Football Player of the Week

The high school football season is underway in the Greater Savannah area — and there were plenty of big-time performances as teams made their debuts this week....

The high school football season is underway in the Greater Savannah area — and there were plenty of big-time performances as teams made their debuts this week.

Here's the candidates for the Savannah Morning News Football Player of the Week for Week 1. The voting for the winner is based on a poll of readers. Voting concludes at 6 p.m. Wednesday night.

Unruly fans:'Absolutely embarrassing:' Benedictine-Jenkins football game ends early due to unruly fans

Emerging player:How Hyers Holland made transition from soccer to football to lead Savannah Country Day to win

The best:Here are the 35 best Greater Savannah-area high school football players entering 2023

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Hyers Holland, Savannah Country Day

The junior rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown in his first start in the Hornets win over Windsor Forest.

Zo Smalls, Savannah Christian

The junior running back racked up 160 yards rushing and four touchdowns, including an 86-yard score, and had two catches for 45 yards in the Raiders win over Hilton Head Christian.

Nick Bliss, Richmond Hill

The senior scored three touchdowns — on an 86-yard kickoff return, a 55-yard blocked punt return and a 4-yard run — in a win at Efffingham County. He rushed for 52 yards on 10 carries and had three catches for 42 yards in the win.

Barton Mixon, Savannah Country Day

The junior rushed for 52 yards and a pair of scores and was 10 of 13 passing for 135 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Windsor Forest.

Jake Merklinger, Calvary Day

The Tennessee-bound senior threw for 199 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Islands.

Rocky Top:Why Calvary Day 4-star quarterback Jake Merklinger made commitment to play for Tennessee

Sean Kelly Hill, Bryan County

The senior had a touchdown run, a scoring pass and also played well defensively at linebacker in an impressive road win at Lincoln County.

Noah Jenkins, Bethesda

The senior rushed for 150 and five touchdowns on 19 carries, including a 65-yard strike, in the Blazers win over Hilton Head Prep.

Richaard Williams, St. Andrew's

The senior rushed for 101 yards and three scores on eight carries in a win over Thomas Jefferson.

Tyler Kindle, Memorial Day

The senior threw for more than 400 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Palmetto Christian.

Luke Kromenhoek, Benedictine

The senior ran for 59 yards and a score on six carries and was 6 of 11 passing for 96 yards and a touchdown in the win over Jenkins.

Where does Luke Kromenhoek go from here?He already won a state title & committed to FSU.

Charles Chappell, Memorial Day

The senior had eight catches for 162 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Palmetto Christian.

Bubba Frazier, Benedictine

In his first varsity start, the sophomore had a touchdown run and a touchdown catch in a win over Jenkins.

Stephen Fox Jr., Savannah High

The junior ran back two kickoffs for touchdowns in a loss to Josey.

Austin Clemons, Bryan County

The senior rushed for 181 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries and had 11 tackles, including two for losses, with a sack and an interception in the win at Lincoln County.

Thomas Blackshear, Calvary Day

Blackshear had five receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Islands.

Damion Guyton, Savannah Christian

In his first high school game, Guyton had 3.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for losses in the win over Hilton Head Christian.

Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@zdennisow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN

On the Menu: Squirrel's Eastern Wharf gets Detroit-ish pizza right slice by slice

For the Savannah Morning NewsThis one is a bit of a road trip, but stay with me. It ends with a unique and tasty pizza at Squirrel’s new Eastern Wharf outpost.Not long after I left my hometown outside of Rochester, I realized that it was useless and maddening to tell people that I was “from New York.” To the rest of the world, that prepositional phrase invariably meant that I grew up taking ...

For the Savannah Morning News

This one is a bit of a road trip, but stay with me. It ends with a unique and tasty pizza at Squirrel’s new Eastern Wharf outpost.

Not long after I left my hometown outside of Rochester, I realized that it was useless and maddening to tell people that I was “from New York.” To the rest of the world, that prepositional phrase invariably meant that I grew up taking the 7 out to Shea and saw at least one Broadway show a month.

While I talk fast, know every episode of Seinfeld verbatim, and will watch the originals of The Odd Couple and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three any time they are on TV, that is where my 212-ness ends.

Having lived closer to Toronto or in Baltimore for the majority of my life, I hate the Yankees with a passion, and do not get me started on Billy Joel. Too late: he is the worst.

The separation between The Big Apple and the parts of its namesake state that actually grow apples is, for the most part, a cultural chasm whose expanse includes certain culinary customs.

Take, in this instance, the pizza. All over the country, folks seem familiar with the “New York-style” pie, a hand-tossed crust that is as thin as four pages of The Village Voice with a slightly more rotund edge, its flaccid slices requiring folding just to reach one’s mouth.

Fuhgeddaboudit. That kind of pizza is not what we Western New Yorkers grew up gobbling down. From Buffalo to Syracuse, family parlors have abounded for decades, the majority serving a thicker, breadier, chewier crust, far more Sicilian than Neapolitan. In Rochester’s suburbs, Pontillo’s was a favorite, and our little town of Penfield boasted as many as three other mom-and-pop pizzerias at any one time.

During our two decades living in Baltimore and craving Western New York-style slices, Matthew’s Pizza was our mainstay. Opened in 1943, I think that, as of 2015, its crew was using the original gloriously charred round metal pans to churn out high-walled pies with cheese and sauce pushed to their crispy edges. Technically, these ‘pan pizzas’ were not what we knew from our Rochester youth, nor were they true Chicago deep-dishers. They were just damn good, hon.

Cool Bites:Honeysuckle Gelato opens at Savannah's Eastern Wharf

'We're still open':Back in the Day Bakery building listed for sale

The chemistry behind Detroit-ish pizza

Which brings us back to Savannah ― by way of Detroit: what Chris Dickerson dreamed up and his Squirrel’s Eastern Wharf team is now dishing out is a pizza of yet another area code, one that smacks of what we have seen but once since we moved to the 912. Only the scrumptious grandma slice at Big Bon Pizza has come close to replicating what we love most about the Western New York-style when it comes to structure and slightly airy crumb.

When Dickerson kicked open his patio parlor’s wraparound shipping container windows in early May, another particular pie joined the city’s plethora of yummy options: the Detroit-ish, his mad pizzaiolo’s take on a higher-hydration dough.

“I wanted to grow and expand my knowledge base but also bring something to Savannah that I thought would be appreciated,” he said. “Personally, I think a Detroit is typically too soggy. Our Detroit-style is a crispier version.”

The discrete differences are down to science. First, this higher-protein dough is 10% double-ground semolina, which “makes it extra-crispy and absorbs more liquid,” and the mass undergoes a three-day fermentation.

The second change is the pan. A standard Detroit pizza pan is 2.5” deep. Calling on his days as a chef and learning about microclimates, Dickerson’s experimentation concluded that the deep pan leads to less convection because the “air currents can’t circulate as much.”

Squirrel’s rendition is called ‘Detroit-ish’, in part, due to the use of a Sicilian pan, a full inch shallower than its Motor City cousin. The crust is parbaked for eight minutes and is then chilled, which causes it to shrink in the pan. Before the to-order final bake, the gap is filled with cheese to create the frico, that crusty outer crust, the main reason that the 8” x 10” pie is cut into four slices: two edges for everyone.

“We’re very intentional about getting the cheese to the edge and pushing it down,” Dickerson explained. “When we bake it, it melts down the sides. The butterfat coats it, and we get that frico.”

Instead of the traditional Wisconsin brick cheese for this final toothy touch, a brined part whole-part skim mozzarella seals the deal.

“For somebody who knows Detroit, I think they’ll be happy with it because it references Detroit, but they’ll understand the subtle differences,” Dickerson said, who has kept the ‘sauce-on-cheese’ convention.

Globetrotting through pizza preps

The Squirrel’s Eastern Wharf menu features four pizza preparations, each offered either as red or white, including the big round NY-ish, the thin-and-crispy Tavern Style, and the Detroit-ish, which can be made gluten-free. The same dough is used for all three pies, the product of Dickerson’s substantial R&D, as well as Bianco di Napoli tomato sauce, made from organic California tomatoes picked at the peak of ripeness.

Though the NY-ish pizza our lovely server set down at the family seated next to us looked fantastic, I already know that my wife and I always will order the Detroit-ish. Our friends ordered a gluten-free white and happily could not tell the difference between it and the other crust, though the sauceless white pizza needed some savory dipping sauce.

The Tavern Style is a Chicago-thin, which Dickerson calls Squirrel's “most technical” pizza, cooked three-quarters of the way on a pre-seasoned shovel before it is slid directly onto the stone. The pie is crispy and chewy and party-cut into squares.

“That, actually, has become our most popular pizza,” Dickerson said.

Dining at this Squirrel’s is just as delightful as a visit to the Starland Yard original, but by design, these are two distinct destinations. Underneath sailcloth awnings and steel container panels, patrons at the Eastern Wharf eatery can enjoy the frico in the al fresco atmosphere, and seats at the peninsular bar afford ample views of flatscreen TVs and the riverfront.

More importantly, the pizzas are not the same. If you want a more Roman-style cracker crust, head to Bull Street. If you want to chew on each bite, drive downtown.

Now, we can alternate our pizza patronage among our three favorite local joints: grandma slices at Big Bon, the most righteous Neapolitan at Vittoria, and a Detroit-ish at Squirrel’s Eastern Wharf.

Like it says on those generic brown delivery boxes: “Pizza: It’s the Greatest!”

Squirrel’s Pizza Eastern Wharf (100 Port Street) is open seven days a week: Monday through Thursday (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.), Friday (5 p.m. to 10 p.m.), Saturday (12 p.m. to 10 p.m.), and Sunday (12 p.m. to 9 p.m.).

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