Rain gutters are often an overlooked aspect in home improvement but are one of your home’s most important protections against the elements. Gutters are used to protect your property from water damage from rain and snow collected from your roof and diverting it away from your siding and foundation. Since gutters play an important role in maintaining the integrity of any home, it’s important that you have the knowledge of the available styles and materials to make the best choice for your home and budget.
Here is a list of the most
common gutter materials used in homes to help you make an informed decision on your gutter purchase and home improvement.
Vinyl Gutters
Vinyl gutters are most common and popular with homeowners because of their simple installation, they don’t rust or corrode, and their inexpensive price. With their lightweight, vinyl sections easily snap together, making them easy to manage and install.
Additionally, when they are used and installed correctly in milder climates they function just as well as other materials. However, vinyl gutters are known to become brittle and crack over time in extreme cold. These home gutters offer a good solution if new gutters are needed while on a tight budget.
Aluminum Gutters
The next level of cost efficiency is aluminum gutters. They also have the benefits of being lightweight, rust-proof, and easy to install. They are weather-resistant across the climate board and maintain their integrity in cold climates, unlike vinyl. In addition, they hold paint well and can be manufactured in seamless models (more on this later).
The only drawback with aluminum gutters is that they aren’t as strong as other materials, which can cause them to dent. This can be prevented to some extent by purchasing a higher quality primary aluminum that is thicker than secondary aluminum which is made mostly of recycled materials.
Galvanized Steel Gutters
Steel gutters come in a few different varieties. Galvanized steel gutters are the most popular because they are very competitive cost-wise and are sturdier than other counterparts when it comes to damage from impact by falling branches or ladders.
Their main drawback is the rust factor. Eventually, rust takes its toll on galvanized steel and will rust through. However, with proper maintenance, this material can still last for a very long time.
Stainless Steel and Copper Gutters
Stainless steel gutters are virtually indestructible, will shine for years, are rust-proof, and are known as one of the strongest materials in the industry. Their only drawback is their price. Stainless steel gutters run two-to-four times more than gutters manufactured from lesser materials, so if you opt for this option be prepared to shell out more money. Finally, the most beautiful gutters on the market are copper gutters. Like stainless steel, they are virtually indestructible but again their barrier is their price as well. Copper wins first place in the “most expensive gutter material” category. However, copper gutters are the longest-lasting material, making them a cost-effective option.
Sectional vs. Seamless
Once you have chosen the
gutter material, the final option to consider is sectional or seamless gutters for home improvement. Some materials are only available in sectional gutters which are joined and fastened together when installed. Seamless gutters are long sections that are custom fit to your home. The most common place gutters fail is at the joints and seams, making seamless gutters a better choice without this problem.
If you’re in the market for new gutters, there’s a rain gutter out there to meet your specific needs and budget. Call Legacy Gutters today and speak to our experts to find out which option is going to work best for your home and your budget. We’ll ensure that your gutters are installed quickly and efficiently so they function properly and last for years.