Which Gutters Are Right For Your Home?

The very first thing to consider when you are shopping for new gutters is, “Why?” This pivotal question will help to answer many of the questions you’ll have before purchasing your ultimate selection.

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

An Upgrade – Installing new rain gutters can significantly impact the exterior style of your house, improving its look in a more subtle way than painting or landscaping.

A New Home – Building a new home comes with a lot of choices about both appearance and functionality. Rain gutters included. Deciding on the gutters that go on your home is important because they should last approximately 20 years.

A Renovation – If your roof is damaged, the gutters might need to be replaced, too. Or, they may simply be wearing down 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 getting ruined by ineffective gutters.

Determining your “Why” will provide direction while you are shopping. You’ll know if certain features are must-haves or if you can choose a more affordable product.

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

HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?

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

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

VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS

Vinyl and plastic are economical materials that are durable in most scenarios, other than extremely cold climates, where they will become brittle. Vinyl and plastic gutters are efficient in most regions of the country, and they are available 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 variety of colors too. They are fairly light and are not difficult to install. Galvanized metals (coated with zinc to protect them) will withstand rust and corrosion even better.

COPPER & STAINLESS STEEL GUTTERS

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

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?

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

SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS

Sectional gutters – These rain gutters come in smaller sections, so they’re easy to install. In fact, 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 there are more sections where leaks can occur.

Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters should be installed by a contractor because they require specialized tools. They’re more expensive to purchase and to install, but 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 are better for angled roofs, which are far more common. This one of the reasons for their popularity. Plus, they are not hard to install. Many homeowners are proficient enough to install their own K-Style gutters by themselves.

Half-Round – Half-Round gutters are traditionally made of copper and steel, and they recommended for rounded roofs, popular prior to 1950, so they provide homes a luxurious, classic curb appeal. However, more modern styles made from vinyl and plastic offer the best of both worlds, because they are lightweight and highly functional. Half-Round rain gutters are harder to install, but easier to clean, 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, certain materials will not hold up well in cold climates.

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

Professional gutter companies in Waltham are going to take several factors into account to get a good idea of the size and the type of gutters that are going to work the best for your home.

WHAT IS THE FORMULA?

Luckily, the formula professional roofing 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 online on the National Weather Service or the U.S. Weather Bureau website. You should also check the maximum rainfall intensity for the city you live in. This is the maximum amount of rain that will occur within a 5-minute span.

Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a standard length times width calculation for basic 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. Figuring out your roof-pitch factor will help to calculate how much rainfall will be collected, regardless of the average rainfall statistics.

DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?

Snowfall is going to be included in precipitation calculations, but you also want to be aware of the potential for ice dams forming on your roof. If it snows a lot in your city, you need to seek professional guidance about the type of gutters that help to prevent ice dams from forming, which can really damage your home’s roof.

Of course, the last question is arguably 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 maximum efficiency, instead of 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 Waltham Gutters, Inc. to install your gutters is that we are able to help you answer all of your questions about new gutters so that you are able to find the perfect style and type for your home.