Which Gutters are Right for Your Home?
The first thing to consider when you are shopping for new gutters is, “Why?” This important question will help you answer most of the following questions you’ll have before purchasing your ultimate selection.
In our experience as a local gutter service, here are only three reasons homeowners might be shopping for new rain gutters:
An Upgrade – Installing new rain gutters can drastically impact the appearance of your home, improving its look in a more subtle way than painting or landscaping.
A New House – Designing a new home comes with a lot of of decisions about both appearance and functionality. Rain gutters included. Choosing the first gutters that go on your home is important because they should last approximately 20 years or more.
A Renovation – If your home’s roof has had damage, the gutters may have to be replaced, too. Or, they could just be deteriorating and need to be replaced with new ones.
You will know why you are installing new rain gutters on your home, but the reason typically has underlying motivations…
You want to sell your home.
You want to renovate but not spend a lot of money.
Your landscaping is getting ruined by ineffective gutters.
Determining your “Why” will help to provide direction while you are shopping for new gutters. You’ll know what features are must-haves or if you can go with a more affordable product.
Here are the questions you’ll have when purchasing new gutters.
HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?
The best part about installing new rain gutters is picking out the materials. Gutters will blend in or stand out against your home, depending on your personal preference.
These are the choices you will have, in order of cost:
VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS
Vinyl and plastic are affordable options that are durable in most scenarios, other than extremely cold climates, where they will wear down. Vinyl and plastic gutters are sufficient in almost every region of the country, and they are available in a wide variety of colors.
METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS
These mid-priced materials are attractive and durable. Both of these materials are available in a wide range of colors as well. They are fairly light and are easy to install. Galvanized metals (coated with zinc to protect them) will withstand rust and corrosion even better.
COPPER & STAINLESS STEEL GUTTERS
Of all the rain gutter materials, copper and stainless steel cost the most, but the most stylish as well. Homeowners in Suffolk who purchase 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 offer both of these options:
SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS
Sectional gutters – These gutters come in smaller sections, so they’re easier to install. In fact, many homeowners decide to install their own sectional gutters. This type is the more affordable choice, and they have more seams, which means there are more sections where leaks are going to occur.
Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters should be installed by a professional contractor because they require special tools. They are more expensive to order 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 virtually any style of home. They are better for angled roofs, which are far more common. This speaks to their popularity. Plus, they are not hard to install. Most homeowners are capable 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 regal, classic appearance. However, modern styles made out of vinyl and plastic provide the best of both worlds, because they are lightweight and highly functional. Half-Round rain gutters are much harder to install, but they are easier to clean out, when the time comes for gutter cleaning.
DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?
The climate of the city you live in may dictate a lot about which gutters you can have. Like we already mentioned, some materials will not hold up well in cold climates.
The most important climate factor is how much work the gutters will have to do. Essentially, how much rain or water are your gutters going to need to handle?
Professional gutter installers in Suffolk are going to take several factors into consideration to determine the size and the type of rain gutters that are going to work best for your home.
WHAT IS THE FORMULA?
Luckily, the formula professional roofing contractors 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 is available on the National Weather Service or the U.S. Weather Bureau website. You can also find the maximum rainfall intensity for the city you live in. 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 residential roofs. But, you 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 less sloped roof. Figuring out your roof-pitch factor is going to help to determine how much rainfall will be collected, regardless of the average rainfall statistics found online.
DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?
Snowfall will be factored into average 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 concerning the type of gutters that help to prevent ice dams from forming, which could really damage your home’s roof.
Of course, the last question is probably the most important …
HOW TO INSTALL GUTTERS?
You also have to ask yourself if you’re willing to try to do the work yourself, or if you want to pay a professional to install your gutters. Professional installation will ensure efficiency, instead of doing it yourself.
Most homeowners should consider paying a little extra for professional labor, knowing that the job will be done right. Another bonus of hiring Suffolk Gutter Service to install the new gutters is that we can help you answer all of your questions about new gutters so that you are able to find the best style and type for your home.