Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Rain gutters need to be replaced almost as often as the roof, so somewhere around 20 years. This is a good long while, and in the meantime, your gutters need to do their job with little work on your part besides gutter cleaning and annual maintenance.
If you haven’t replaced your home’s gutters lately, it’s probably about time to begin looking at the options. Odds are, your options have changed since you last shopped for gutters, either when building your home or the last time you had to replace them.
Styles and materials improve a lot over a period of only a few years. This means your next gutters will be much more efficient, lighter and more attractive than the current ones on your home.
Seamless gutters are one of the new options available.
What are Seamless Gutters?
One of the standout improvements in residential gutters is the creation of seamless gutter systems.
Seamless gutters are installed in long sections, opposed to standard gutters that only come in sections between 10 and 20 feet. They are made on-site in many cases with a custom machine, eliminating the difficulties of transporting such long, narrow materials.
Most gutter installation businesses have their own machinery and are able to do the entire process on their own – measure, manufacture and install your seamless gutters – in only one day!
Since they are manufactured to size, it is possible to have seamless gutters that stretch over 50 feet, with the maximum length of a seamless rain gutter around 100 feet with no joints. This offers homeowners the choice to have a single piece of lightweight aluminum in any color they choose.
Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Standard gutters have been used for so long that it can be hard to see how another option can be a lot more effective. To determine if seamless gutters are a smart choice for your home, you need understand the benefits of them so you can understand why there is a noticeable price difference between the two.
There are many benefits of seamless gutters over traditional gutter systems:
Better Curb Appeal – With joints just at the corners, seamless gutters have a very sleek look. Seamless gutter fabrication machines even cut out holes for downspouts, which must be present every 20 to 30 feet, so they are smooth and perfectly sized. The measurements also increase the curb appeal of your house without being too overstated and obvious.
Easier Care – Less joints mean there are less opportunities for debris to get hung on or get stuck within the gutters. Water drains through smoothly with fewer clogs from dirt and debris. As a homeowner, this should make you extremely happy, as it means you don’t need to clean them out as often. Seamless gutters only need 1 yearly cleaning. In comparison, some regular rain gutter systems must be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year to keep them working well.
Lower Chance of Leaks – Standard gutters can leak at any joint as soon as the gutters start pulling away from the house. Loose fasteners are also a problem that can lead to gutter leaks. Getting rid of joints throughout the length and width of your home reduces the likelihood of leaks (which protects your windows, porches, and landscaping).
Prevent Pests – Buildup in your gutters will attract animals, rodents and insects that are able to hide within them or build nests with the debris that is present. From that point, insects, birds, squirrels and chipmunks have access to your attic and will destroy your roof, resulting in hundreds of dollars’ worth of repairs. Keeping that buildup out of your gutters makes them less appealing for pests.
Eliminates Waste – Measuring for seamless gutters and then cutting them on site means that your gutters will be the perfect size without having scrap pieces that were cut off to match the exact length of the house. This is an eco-friendly practice that reduces your home’s carbon footprint. Also, there is no need to eliminate the excess or see it end up in a landfill.
Longer Lifetime – Seamless gutters are built with the newest technology and the best materials on the market. This results in less leaks, a smaller chance of rusting and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the house. Longer lasting rain gutters can also protect your home, including the walls, windows and the soil.
Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional
Seamless gutters usually need professional installation because of their size and the training and machinery necessary to manufacturer them. Individuals don’t have have the equipment necessary to produce seamless gutters, nor do they have the knowledge of how to set up these machines to make exact cuts.
Seamless gutters do cost more, but once they are installed, you will immediately see their value which pays for itself due to fewer repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have questions about the value of seamless gutters, talk with a gutter installer who provides both traditional and seamless gutter systems to determine if the price difference and benefits are worth it for your budget and needs.
Installing these extra-long rain gutters is not a project that a homeowner can handle safely. Professionals can install a section up to about 30 feet or so on their own, but anything longer will require a second person.
For gutters that are less than 35 feet, they will start in the middle and work their way to each end, securing the gutter every few feet. For gutters longer, the installation team will need to start in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and attach those sections due to the length and weight of the seamless gutter.
Paying for professional seamless gutter installation also means that your warranty will be intact in the event of an accident or storm damages.
Seamless gutter installation is not a recommended DIY home improvement project. You can damage a long gutter by handling it improperly. This can damage the gutter’s appearance as well as its effectiveness. Blaine Gutters is proud to offer seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Blaine area. Call 763-265-6337 now for more information!