Which Gutters Are Right For Your Home?

The very first thing to ask yourself when you are purchasing new gutters is, “Why?” This question will help you answer the following questions you’ll have before purchasing your selection.

In our experience as a local gutter service, here are just three reasons homeowners will be shopping for new rain gutters:

An Upgrade – Installing new rain gutters can drastically affect the appearance of your home, increasing its look in a more subtle way than painting or new landscaping.

A New Home – Building a new home comes with a constant stream of decisions about both appearance and functionality. Gutters included. Choosing the first gutters that go on your house is important because they should last at least 15 years or more.

A Renovation – If the roof on your home has had damage, the gutters may need to be replaced. Or, they may just be deteriorating and need to be replaced with new ones.

You know why you are installing new gutters, but the reason usually has underlying motivations…

You want to sell your home.

You want to renovate but not spend a lot of money.

Your landscaping is being damaged by ineffective gutters.

Figuring out your “Why” will help to give you direction while you are shopping. You’ll know what features are must-haves or if you can choose a more affordable product.

Here are the questions you’ll want to consider when it’s time to purchase new gutters.

HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?

The best part about installing new rain gutters is picking out the materials. Gutters will blend in or stand out against your home exterior, depending on your personal preference.

These are the options for materials, in order of lowest to highest cost:

VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS

Vinyl and plastic are economical options that are durable in most cases, besides extremely cold climates, where they will deteriorate. Vinyl and plastic gutters are sufficient in nearly every region of the country, and they come in a wide range of colors.

METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS

These mid-priced options are stylish and durable. Both materials come in a variety of colors as well. They are fairly lightweight and are not hard to install. Galvanized metals (coated with zinc to protect them) will withstand rust and corrosion even better.

COPPER & STAINLESS STEEL GUTTERS

Of all the rain gutter materials available, copper and stainless steel cost the most, but are the most attractive as well. Homeowners in Aurora who choose these materials are searching for an elegant touch, and that’s just what they’ll get!

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?

Almost all of the gutter materials above will offer these options:

SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS

Sectional gutters – These gutters are made in smaller sections, so they’re easy to install. In fact, many homeowners decide to install their own sectional gutters. This type is the more affordable choice, and they have more seams, which means more sections where leaks are going to occur.

Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters need to be installed by a professional contractor because they need special equipment. They are more expensive to order and install, but less likely to leak or wear down than sectional gutters.

K-STYLE OR HALF-ROUND GUTTERS

K-Style – K-Style gutters are popular because they look excellent with almost any style of home. They are better for angled roofs, which are more common. This one of the reasons for their popularity. Plus, they are easy to install. Most homeowners are capable enough to install their own K-Style gutters.

Half-Round – Half-Round gutters are traditionally made of copper and steel, and they are best for rounded roofs, popular prior to 1950, so they provide homes a regal, classic curb appeal. However, modern styles made out of vinyl and plastic offer the best of both worlds, because they are both lightweight and functional. Half-Round rain gutters are a lot harder to install, but much easier to clean, when the time comes for gutter cleaning.

DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?

The climate of your region will determine a lot about which gutters you should purchase. Like we mentioned, some materials will not hold up in extremely cold climates.

The most important climate factor is how much work the gutters will have to do. In other words, how much water are your gutters going to need to withstand?

Professional gutter installers in Aurora can take several factors into consideration to get a good idea of the size and the type of gutters that will work best for your home.

WHAT IS THE FORMULA?

Luckily, the formula professional gutter contractors use is not a secret. Here are the pieces of specific information you will need to decide how large your gutters should be:

Average Rainfall – This weather statistic is available online on the National Weather Service or the U.S. Weather Bureau website. You should also find the maximum rainfall intensity for the city you live in. This is the maximum amount of rain that occurs within a 5-minute span.

Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a simple length times width calculation for standard roofs. However, you want to factor in all the surfaces of multi-faceted roofs.

Roof-Pitch Factor – A roof that is steep will collect more wind-blown rain than a roof that is less sloped. Determining your roof-pitch factor is going to help to estimate how much rainfall will be collected, regardless of the rainfall statistics found online.

DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?

Snowfall will be factored into average precipitation calculations, but you definitely want to be aware of the potential for ice dams. If it snows a lot in your city, you need to seek professional guidance about the type of gutters that best prevent ice dams from forming, which might severely damage your roof.

Of course, the last question is probably the most important …

HOW TO INSTALL GUTTERS?

You also have to ask yourself if you’re willing to do the work yourself, or if you are going to pay a professional to install your new gutters. Professional installation will ensure maximum efficiency, instead of doing it yourself.

Most homeowners are better off paying a little extra for labor, knowing that the installation will be done right. Another bonus of hiring PRO Aurora Gutters to install your gutters is that we are able to help you answer all of your questions about new gutters so that you are able to find the perfect style and type.