A seamless gutter will never have this problem, making it a popular choice for those who can afford the extra cost. The most common place a gutter fails after years of wear is at the joints and seams. Aluminum gutters, however, are now available in seamless varieties, custom made to fit your home out of single, long sheets of metal. Most materials are only available in sections that are joined and fastened together as they are installed. The final thing to consider is whether you want sectional versus seamless gutters. Be prepared to spend a bundle as well if you choose this classic house gutter material. Wood rain gutters made of cedar, redwood, and fir are still available however, and are most often used in renovations of older, historic houses, where staying true to the original building materials takes precedence over longevity. Wood gutters used to be the norm a hundred years past, though with the advent of cheaper, mass-produced materials that are more weather resistant, this home gutter material has mostly dropped out of favor. The only barrier here is price as well, as copper would easily win first place if there was a “most expensive gutter material” category at the county fair. Finally, copper gutters are perhaps the most beautiful rain gutters on the market, and like stainless steel are virtually indestructible. These gutters will run two-to-four times as much as gutters manufactured from lesser materials, so be prepared to shell out a few more peanuts if you go this route. These puppies are virtually indestructible, shine for years on end, won’t rust, and are pretty well accepted as one of, if not the, strongest materials in the industry. Eventually rust will take its toll with this brand of steel and they will rust through, though with proper maintenance they can still last for a very long time. The main drawback of galvanized steel is the rust factor. Galvanized steel rain gutters are by the far most popular as they are very competitive cost-wise and are sturdier than their aluminum counterparts when it comes to damage incurred by falling branches and ladders. Steel and Copper GuttersĪs with aluminum gutter products, steel gutters come in a few different varieties. This can be mitigated to some extent by purchasing gutters made of primary aluminum, which is thicker and of a higher quality compared to secondary aluminum products made mostly of recycled materials. Their only drawback is that they aren’t structurally as strong as many other materials, they will dent, and they can be misshapen by poorly placed ladders and the like. Add to that the fact that they hold paint well (again something that vinyl gutters can’t claim) and can be manufactured in seamless models (we’ll talk more about this later), and it’s clear why many homeowners and gutter contractors prefer aluminum home gutters over all other materials. Unlike vinyl, however, they are weather-resistant across the board and maintain their integrity in cold climates. Like vinyl gutters, aluminum house gutters also have the advantages of being lightweight, rust-proof, and relatively easy to work with. Next on the list of cost efficiency are aluminum rain gutters. These home gutters are a good solution if you’re in need of new gutters while on a tight budget. Poor installation can result in sagging sections, however, and vinyl gutters do have a reputation for growing brittle and cracking over time and in extreme cold. Because they are so lightweight and sections easily snap together, they are very easy for the do-it-yourselfer to manage and install.įurthermore, when used in milder climates they function just as well other materials, especially when installed correctly. Vinyl gutters have quickly become a homeowner favorite because of their ease of installation, the fact that they never rust or corrode, and due to their cheap purchase price. Because rain gutters are such an important aspect in maintaining the integrity of any home, it’s important that you make an educated and informed decision as you look at available styles and materials so that you can make the best choice for your home and budget.īelow is a list of the most common gutter materials, as well as their benefits and drawbacks, so that you can move ahead with your next rain gutter purchase with confidence. Gathering the runoff from your roof caused by rain and melting snow and diverting it away from your siding and foundation to where it will do the least amount of harm. Rain gutters are one of your home’s most important protections against the elements.
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