Which Gutters Are Right For Your Home?
The number one thing to ask yourself when you are purchasing new gutters is, “Why?” This pivotal question will help you answer the questions you’ll have before making your selection.
In our experience as a local gutter service, here are three reasons homeowners might be shopping for new rain gutters:
An Upgrade – Installing new gutters can significantly impact the appearance of your home, increasing its look in a more subtle way than painting or new landscaping.
A New Home – Designing a home comes with a constant stream of choices about both appearance and functionality. Gutters included. Deciding on the gutters that go on your house is important because they should last approximately 20 years.
A Renovation – If the roof on your home been damaged, the gutters may need to be replaced. Or, they could simply be deteriorating and need to be replaced.
You know why you are installing new gutters, but the reason often has underlying motivations…
You want to sell your house.
You want to renovate without spending a lot of money.
Your landscaping is being damaged by ineffective gutters.
Figuring out your “Why” will provide direction while you are shopping for new gutters. You’ll know what features are important or if you can choose a less expensive product.
Here are the major questions you’ll need to ask when it’s time to purchase new gutters.
HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?
The fun part about choosing new rain gutters is choosing the style. Gutters can blend in or stand out against your home, depending on your personal preference.
These are the options for materials, in order of lowest to highest cost:
VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS
Vinyl and plastic are affordable options that hold up well in most scenarios, other than extremely cold climates, where they will deteriorate. 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 materials are attractive and durable. Both materials are available in a variety of colors too. They are fairly light and easy to install. Galvanized metals (coated with zinc to protect them) are able to resist rust and corrosion even better.
COPPER & STAINLESS STEEL GUTTERS
Of all the gutter materials, copper and stainless steel cost the most, but the most stylish as well. Homeowners in Roswell who decide on these materials are looking for an elegant touch, and that’s just what they’ll get!
WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?
Almost all of the gutter types above offer these options below:
SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS
Sectional gutters – These rain gutters come in smaller sections, so they’re easy to install. In fact, most homeowners choose to install their own sectional gutters on their own. This type is the more affordable choice, and they have more seams, which means more sections where leaks can occur.
Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters will need to be installed by a local contractor because they require special equipment. They’re more expensive to buy and 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 excellent with almost any 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 easy to install. Many homeowners are capable enough to install their own K-Style gutters by themselves.
Half-Round – Half-Round gutters are usually made of copper and steel, and they recommended for rounded roofs, popular before 1950, so they provide homes a luxurious, established curb appeal. However, more modern styles made from vinyl and plastic offer the best of both worlds, because they are lightweight and functional. Half-Round gutters are harder to install, but easier to clean, when it’s time for gutter cleaning.
DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?
The climate of the region you live in may determine a lot about what gutters you can havecontractors 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 can be found 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 will occur within a 5-minute span.
Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a standard length times width calculation for standard roofs. However, you will 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. Figuring out your roof-pitch factor will help you estimate 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 concerning the type of rain gutters that best prevent ice dams, which can really damage your roof.
Of course, the last question is possibly the most important …
HOW TO INSTALL GUTTERS?
You also have to ask yourself if you’re willing 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 ensures efficiency, compared to doing it yourself.
Most homeowners should consider paying a little extra for professional labor, to ensure that the job will be done correctly. Another bonus of hiring PRO Roswell Gutters to install your new gutters is that we can help you answer all of your questions about gutters so that you find the perfect style and type for your home.