This popular, low-cost metal won’t rust and comes in an array of colors, including ones that resemble aged copper and zinc. Available in seamless or in sections held together with rivets or screws and sealed with caulk. Lightweight (.025 inch thick) and medium-weight (.027 inch) aluminum are susceptible to denting and bending; heavyweight (.032 inch) aluminum lasts longer, about 25 years. Straight sections of vinyl or aluminum sold at home centers or online are well within a DIYer’s grasp. Call in a pro if your house is taller than one story, or if you want seamless gutters, which are custom-made on site.
If you are pressed for time or doubt your ability to work confidently on ladders, call in a professional. Second-story gutter installation is usually best handled by professional gutter installation companies. Without gutters, rain and snow roof run-off relentlessly pound the earth, creating heavy, water-logged soil that can crack the foundation. With metal or plastic gutters and downspouts, you can avoid this problem altogether. Installing gutters is a do-it-yourself job that pays off many times over, whether you intend to stay in your house for the long-term or sell at some point in the future.
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Draw a Sketch and Measure Your House Before Installing Rain Gutters
Pro installation recommended because of its high contraction and expansion rate when temperatures change. Seams are soldered, but the process is more difficult than with copper. Lasts 30 to 50 years, depending on its proximity to saltwater. The least expensive, most DIY-friendly option because the sections just snap together. Vinyl won’t rust or rot but becomes brittle in extreme cold and intense sun. Traditional Cape Cod style homes usually have light gray gutters with slate or black colored roofs. Though, black gutters are also an option for these types of homes.
Best Gutters FAQ
Record the length of the rain gutter runs and mark the downspout locations. Measure the height of downspouts and add four feet to each for the extension away from the house at the bottom. When the metal is steel or aluminum, the metal needs to be powder-coated for appearance as much as for durability. But when the metal can stand on its own, look great, and has natural properties that resist the elements, that metal is either zinc or copper.
You must also factor in additional work, such as old gutter removal and debris cleanup. While gutters can improve the look of your home, they are necessary for their function rather than their form. Gutters are indispensable components that protect your home from costly water damage and structural compromise.
You can help keep debris out of your gutters throughout the year with gutter guards, but they can’t prevent debris from entering the system completely. Put simply, half-round gutters are shaped like a tube that is cut directly in half. If you’re in the market for a type of gutter that will add to your home’s curb appeal without being too gaudy, half-round gutters might be the choice for you.
Since seamless gutters are made to order, the measurement pricing is accurate, and there is no leftover material waste. Below are the average costs for seamless gutters and the most common installation lengths. Frequent cleaning and maintenance keep your gutters from falling into disrepair. If you have gutter guards, they’ll only need to be cleaned once yearly. The average cost for gutter cleaning ranges from $120 to $225.