Which Gutters are Right for Your Home?
The first thing to ask yourself when you are purchasing new gutters is, “Why?” This question will help to answer many of the questions you’ll have before purchasing your selection.
In our experience as a local gutter service, here are only three reasons homeowners might be shopping for new gutters:
An Upgrade – Switching out the gutters can significantly affect the appearance of your home, increasing its look in a subtler way than painting or landscaping.
A New House – Building a new home comes with a constant stream of decisions about both appearance and functionality. Gutters are one of them. Deciding on the first gutters that go on your home is important because they should last at least 15-20 years.
A Renovation – If your roof has had damage, the gutters may have to be replaced. Or, they might simply be aging and need to be replaced with new ones.
You will 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 provide direction while you are shopping for new gutters. You’ll know if certain features are important or if you can choose a more affordable 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 installing new 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 you will have, in order of lowest to highest cost:
VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS
Vinyl and plastic are affordable options that are durable in most cases, except in cold climates, where they will wear down. Vinyl and plastic gutters are sufficient in almost every region of the country, and they are available in a wide range of colors.
METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS
These reasonably priced options are stylish and durable. Both of these materials are available in a wide range of colors too. They are fairly light and are not hard to install. Galvanized metals (coated with zinc to protect them) resist rust and corrosion even better.
COPPER & STAINLESS STEEL GUTTERS
Of all the gutter materials, copper and stainless steel are the most expensive, but are the most eye-catching as well. Homeowners in Taylor who purchase these options are looking for an elegant touch, and that’s exactly what they’ll get!
WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?
Most of the gutter types above offer these options below:
SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS
Sectional gutters – These types of rain gutters come in smaller sections, so they are easier to install. In fact, many homeowners choose to install their own sectional gutters on their own. This type is the less expensive choice, and they have more seams, which means more sections where leaks can occur.
Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters should be installed by a contractor because they need special tools. They’re more expensive to order 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 great with every style of home. They’re better for angled roofs, which are far more common. This one of the reasons for their popularity. Plus, they are easy 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 luxurious, classic appearance. However, modern styles made from vinyl and plastic offer the best of both worlds, being both lightweight and functional. Half-Round rain gutters are harder to install, but easier to clean out, when it’s time for gutter cleaning.
DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?
The climate of your region may dictate a lot about what gutters you should purchase. As we already mentioned, certain materials don’t hold up well in cold climates.
The single most important climate factor is how much work the gutters will have to do. In other words, how much rain or water are the gutters going to need to handle?
Professional gutter contractors in Taylor will take several factors into account to get a good idea of the size and the type of rain gutters that are going to work best for your home.
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 statistic is available online on the National Weather Service or the U.S. Weather Bureau website. You should also look into 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 simple length times width calculation for standard roofs. However, you 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 is going to help you determine how much rainfall will be collected, regardless of the rainfall statistics.
DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?
Snowfall is factored into average precipitation calculations, but you definitely want to consider the potential for ice dams forming on your roof. If it snows regularly in your city, you should seek professional guidance about the type of rain gutters that best prevent ice dams from forming, which can really damage your home’s roof.
Of course, the final question is arguably the most important …
HOW TO INSTALL GUTTERS?
You also have to ask yourself if you’re going to try to do the work on your own, or if you want to enlist the services of a professional to install your gutters. Professional installation will ensure maximum efficiency, versus doing it yourself.
Most homeowners are better off paying a little extra for professional labor, to ensure that the installation will be done correctly. Another bonus of hiring True Clean Gutters to install your new 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.