Which Gutters are Right for Your Home?

The number one thing to ask yourself when you are planning to install new gutters is, “Why?” This pivotal question will help to answer most of the subsequent questions you’ll have before purchasing your final selection.

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

An Upgrade – Switching out the gutters can really impact the curb appeal of your home, increasing its look in a subtler way than painting or new landscaping.

A New House – Building a home comes with a constant stream of choices about appearance and functionality. Rain gutters are no exception. Deciding on the gutters that go on your house is important because they will need to last at least 20 years or more.

A Renovation – If your home’s roof been damaged, the gutters might need to be replaced, too. Or, they might just be wearing down and need to be replaced with new ones.

You obviously know why you are installing new gutters on your home, but the reason often has underlying motivations…

You want to sell your home.

You want to renovate but not spend too much money.

Your landscaping is being damaged by ineffective gutters.

Determining your “Why” will often give you direction while you are shopping. You’ll know if certain features are worth spending your money on or if you can choose a less expensive product.

Here are the questions you’ll have when it’s time to install new gutters.

HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?

The best part about installing new gutters is choosing the style. Gutters can blend in or stand out against your house, depending on your personal preference.

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

VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS

Vinyl and plastic are economical choices that are durable in most scenarios, except in extremely cold climates, where they can deteriorate. Vinyl and plastic gutters are efficient in most regions of the country, and they come in a wide range of colors.

METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS

These reasonably priced materials are stylish and durable. Both of these materials come in a wide range of colors too. They are fairly lightweight and are easy 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 the most attractive as well. Homeowners in Blaine who decide on these options are searching for an elegant touch, and that’s just what they’ll get!

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?

Most of the gutter options above will offer both of these options below:

SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS

Sectional gutters – These types of rain gutters are made in smaller sections, so they’re easier to install. In fact, most homeowners decide to install their own sectional gutters on their own. This type is the less expensive choice, and they are made with more seams, which means there are more areas where leaks can occur.

Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters should be installed by a professional contractor because they require special tools. They’re more expensive to buy and to install, but they are less likely to leak than sectional gutters.

K-STYLE OR HALF-ROUND GUTTERS

K-Style – K-Style gutters are popular because they look excellent with every style of home. They are better for angled roofs, which are far more common. This one of the reasons for their popularity. And, they are easy to install. Many homeowners are proficient enough to install their own K-Style gutters.

Half-Round – Half-Round gutters are usually made of copper and steel, and they recommended for rounded roofs, popular prior to 1950, so they provide homes a luxurious, classic appearance. However, modern styles made out of vinyl and plastic provide the best of both worlds, being lightweight and highly functional. Half-Round rain gutters are much harder to install, but easier to clean, when it’s time for gutter cleaning.

DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?

The climate of the region you live in may determine a lot about the gutters you should purchase. As we mentioned, some types of materials will not hold up well in extremely cold climates.

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

Professional gutter installers in Blaine are going to take a lot of factors into consideration to determine the size and type of gutters that are going to work best for your house.

WHAT IS THE FORMULA?

Luckily, the formula professional home exterior 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 can be found online on the National Weather Service or the U.S. Weather Bureau website. You can also find the maximum rainfall intensity for your area. This is the maximum amount of rain that can happen within a 5-minute span.

Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a standard length times width calculation for standard roofs. However, you will need to figure all the surfaces of multi-faceted roofs.

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

DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?

Snowfall is included in precipitation calculations, but you definitely want to be aware of the potential for ice dams forming on your roof. If it snows often in your state, you need to seek professional guidance concerning the type of rain gutters that best prevent ice dams, which could severely damage your home’s roof.

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

HOW TO INSTALL GUTTERS?

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

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