Which Gutters Are Right For Your Home?

The number one thing to ask yourself when you are purchasing new gutters is, “Why?” This question will help you 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 might be in the market for new rain gutters:

An Upgrade – Installing new gutters can really impact the appearance of your home, improving its look in a subtler way than painting or landscaping.

A New Home – Building a home comes with a lot of of choices about appearance and functionality. Rain gutters are one of them. Deciding on the first gutters that go on your home is important because they will need to last approximately 20 years or more.

A Renovation – If your home’s roof has had damage, the gutters may have to be replaced. Or, they could simply be wearing down and need to be replaced with new ones.

You obviously know why you are installing new rain gutters on your home, 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 being damaged by ineffective gutters.

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

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

HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?

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

These are the choices you will have, in order of lowest to highest cost:

VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS

Vinyl and plastic are economical materials that are durable in most cases, other than cold climates, where they will become brittle. Vinyl and plastic gutters are acceptable in most regions of the country, and they are available in a wide range of colors.

METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS

These mid-priced options are both attractive and durable. Both materials are available in a wide range of colors as well. They are fairly light and are not hard to install. Galvanized metals (coated with zinc to protect them) are able to fend off rust and corrosion even better.

COPPER & STAINLESS STEEL GUTTERS

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

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?

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

SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS

Sectional gutters – These types of gutters come in smaller sections, so they are easier to install. In fact, many homeowners decide to install their own sectional gutters. This type is the less expensive choice, and they have more seams, which means there are more sections where leaks are going to occur.

Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters need to be installed by a contractor because they need specialized equipment. They’re more expensive to order 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 popular because they look excellent with every style of home. They are better for angled roofs, which are more common. This speaks to their popularity. In addition, they are not hard to install. Many 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 recommended for rounded roofs, popular prior to 1950, so they give homes a regal, classic curb appeal. However, modern styles made out of vinyl and plastic offer the best of both worlds, because they are lightweight and highly functional. Half-Round rain gutters are much harder to install, but they are easier to clean out, when it’s time for gutter cleaning.

DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?

The climate of the city you live in may determine a lot about which gutters you can have. As we mentioned, some materials will not hold up in cold climates.

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

Professional gutter companies in Greenwood will take a lot of factors into account to determine the size and type of gutters that will work best for your roof.

WHAT IS THE FORMULA?

Luckily, the formula professional roofing contractors use is no secret. Here are the pieces of specific information you will need to decide how large your gutters should be:

Average Rainfall – This statistic is available online on the National Weather Service or the U.S. Weather Bureau website. You can also check the maximum rainfall intensity for your area. This is the maximum amount of rain that occurs within a 5-minute span.

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

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

DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?

Snowfall is included in average precipitation calculations, but you definitely want to be aware of the potential for ice dams forming on your roof. If it snows regularly in your city, you should seek professional guidance concerning the type of rain gutters that help to prevent ice dams, which might severely damage your home’s roof.

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

HOW TO INSTALL GUTTERS?

You also need to ask yourself if you’re willing to do the work yourself, or if you are going to enlist the services of a professional to install your new gutters. Professional installation ensures maximum efficiency, compared to doing it yourself.

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