A Guide to the Different Types of Rain Gutters

It’s great to have own a home – in fact it’s one of the things that people dream of. But there are many things that you have to consider when it comes to your home. One of the most important things that you have in your home are rain gutters. They help with protecting your home from any elements and they gather runoff from the roof that caused by melting snow and rain. Gutters then divert the water from your foundation and siding. That means your house is less likely to be damaged by the water. Since rain gutters will help you with maintaining your home’s integrity, you should make a decision that’s informed and educated when it comes to choosing the materials and styles for your budget and home.

Below are the materials that are often used when it comes to gutters, along with their drawbacks and benefits. This will you help you with choosing the one that is best.

Vinyl Gutters

These kinds of gutters are one of the most popular types because they are easy to install and they last a long time because they won’t corrode or rust. They also are inexpensive. Since they’re really lightweight and the sections are easy to put together, they can be managed and installed by the homeowner.

When you are using them in a milder climate they will function much like the other materials, particularly when they have been correctly installed. If they’re poorly installed, it can mean that your sections will sag. If you are in an extremely cold climate, vinyl gutters may become brittle and crack as time goes by. These types of home gutters will be a great choice when you’re low on money and you need new gutters.

Aluminum Gutters

Another choice when it comes to cost efficient gutters are rain gutters made of aluminum. Just like the vinyl ones, they are light in weight, pretty simple to put together, and rust-proof. The advantage that they have over vinyl is that they’re resistant to all weather and they will work in the cold climates. They are also great at holding paint, which is something that they have over the vinyl covers, and they also can be manufactured in the seamless models. These types of gutters are preferred both by gutter contractors and homeowners alike.

The only drawback that aluminum gutters has is that they aren’t very strong when compared to other types of material. They have a tendency to dent and they can also be damaged by ladders and other things. If you want to still use aluminum gutters, you can use the gutters made from primary aluminum. This is higher quality and thicker when you compare it with secondary aluminum since it’s made of recycled material.

Copper and Steel Gutters

Just like it is with the aluminum gutters, gutters made of steel are available in several varieties. The gutters made from galvanized steel are very popular since they are affordable and they are much sturdier when compared to aluminum regarding damage from falling ladders and branches. The biggest drawback when it comes to galvanized steel is they will rust. When you choose galvanized steel, there is going to be rust.

Stainless Steel

Gutters made from stainless steel are so strong and virtually indestructible. They also won’t rust, look great for years, and stainless steel is high on the list of strong materials. The biggest problems is the price. The gutter is 2-4 times more expensive as the gutters that are made from other materials. So if you want to buy stainless steel gutters, you will be spending a lot of money.

If you choose copper gutters, they are really beautiful. These are also very strong. But copper gutters are also very expensive.

Wood Gutters

These are the types of gutters that were used centuries ago. But with mass produced material that is cheaper becoming the norm and now that they are more resistant to the weather, they aren’t as popular as they used to be. But you can still get rain gutters made from redwood, fir and cedar and they are often used when renovating historic houses. This is because using the original types of building materials is more important than longevity. But you are also going to spend a lot of money on them.

Sectional Versus Seamless

When you are considering gutters, you also have to figure out whether you’ll want to buy seamless or sectional gutters. Most of the materials only come in sections which you join and then fasten it together as you install them.

But aluminum gutters now are available in the seamless variety, and they’re customized for your home out of a long, single metal sheets. There are many advantages here. When a gutter becomes old and falls apart, it’s at its seams and joints. When you have a gutter that is seamless it won’t have this kind of problem, so it’s great for the people who are able to afford the price.

Whether you are looking to save a lot of money or you’re concerned with a great look, there are many different types of gutters that you can choose from. Speak with someone who installs gutters professionally so that you can find out which of the gutter materials will work best for your budget and home. This will also ensure that you have correctly installed gutters. This will ensure that you aren’t going to have to deal with problems anytime soon.

About Gulf Coast Exteriors

GCE Gutters is a residential and commercial gutter service committed to providing professional quality service at a competitively low prices in Fort Myers and Cape Coral Florida. Let GCE Gutters show you how we are becoming the area’s finest gutter cleaning, repair and installation company in Lee County.