Which Gutters are Right for Your Home?

The number one thing to consider when you are shopping for new gutters is, “Why?” This important question will help you answer the subsequent questions you’ll have before making your ultimate selection.

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

An Upgrade – Installing new rain gutters can really affect the exterior style of your home, enhancing its look in a more subtle way than painting or new landscaping.

A New House – Designing a home comes with a constant stream of choices about both appearance and functionality. Gutters are no exception. Deciding on the gutters that go on your home is important because they will need to last approximately 15-20 years.

A Renovation – If the roof on your home has experienced damage, the gutters may have to be replaced, too. Or, they might simply be aging and need to be replaced.

You will know why you are replacing the rain gutters, but the reason usually has underlying motivations…

You want to sell your home.

You want to renovate but not spend too much money.

Your landscaping is getting ruined by ineffective gutters.

Figuring out your “Why” will help to provide direction while you are shopping for new gutters. You’ll know which features are must-haves 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 fun part of choosing new rain gutters is choosing the style. Gutters can blend in or stand out against your house, depending on your personal preference.

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

VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS

Vinyl and plastic are affordable materials that are durable in most cases, except in cold climates, where they will deteriorate. Vinyl and plastic gutters are acceptable in most regions of the country, and they come in a wide range of colors.

METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS

These reasonably priced options are both stylish and durable. Both of these materials are available in a wide range of colors as well. They are fairly light and are easy to install. Galvanized metals (coated with zinc to protect them) are able to withstand rust and corrosion even better.

COPPER & STAINLESS STEEL GUTTERS

Of all the gutter materials, copper and stainless steel cost the most, but are the most eye-catching as well. Homeowners in Hickory who purchase these options are searching for an elegant touch, and that’s what they’ll get!

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?

Almost all of the gutter options above offer both of these options:

SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS

Sectional gutters – These types of 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 local contractor because they require specialized equipment. They are more expensive to purchase and install, but they are less likely to leak or wear down than sectional gutters.

K-STYLE OR HALF-ROUND GUTTERS

K-Style – K-Style gutters are far more popular because they look great with almost any style of home. They’re better for angled roofs, which are far more common. This speaks to their popularity. Plus, they are easy to install. Many homeowners are proficient enough to install their own K-Style gutters.

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

DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?

The climate of the city you live in may dictate a lot about what gutters you should purchase. As we mentioned, some types of materials don’t hold up in cold climates.

The most important climate factor to think about is how much work the gutters will have to do. Basically, how much water are your gutters going to have to handle?

Professional gutter contractors in Hickory will take a lot of factors into account to get a good idea of the size and the type of rain gutters that are going to work the best for your roof.

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 on the National Weather Service or the U.S. Weather Bureau website. You should also check the maximum rainfall intensity for your area. This is the max amount of rain that can happen within a 5-minute span.

Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a standard length times width calculation for residential roofs. However, you will need 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. Knowing your roof-pitch factor will help to calculate how much rainfall will actually be collected, regardless of the rainfall statistics.

DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?

Snowfall will be included in precipitation calculations, but you also want to be aware of the potential for ice dams. If it snows a lot in your state, you should seek professional guidance concerning the type of gutters that help to prevent ice dams, which could really 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 on your own, or if you are going to hire a professional to install your new gutters. Professional installation will ensure efficiency, instead of doing it yourself.

Most homeowners should consider paying a little extra for professional labor, knowing that the job will be done correctly. Another bonus of hiring Clean Home Gutters to install the gutters is that we will help you answer all of your questions about gutters so that you find the best style and type for your home.