Gutters

Are you and your home prepared for the next storm that may be just around the corner? If not, then it’s best to reconsider and think about how your house is going to ride out the storm. This leads us to the subject matter – Gutters. Because gutters do their work quietly in the background, they are underrated until unless they run into a problem. Without a doubt, rain gutters are adding no beauty to your roofs, but are performing a major task – redirecting run-off water, either from melting snow or heavy rain to proper and safe evacuation outside the house.
In other words, gutters are keeping your house dry, protecting doors, siding, windows, and preventing water damage to the foundations. However, when they pose a problem, it can be pricy to fix because of additional water damage and repairs. Correct installation, timely maintenance, and quality material are all critical factors in whether your gutter system can counter the heavy toll of weather in times of need.
Since rain gutters play such a major role in safeguarding the foundation of any home, what’s noteworthy is that you make an educated and intelligent decision. When you see all the available styles and materials, you should be able to draw the best bet for your home and within your budget.

5 Different Type of Gutters – Gutter Material
• Aluminum Gutters
You have probably seen and heard of them the most as they are one of the most commonly used rain gutters. Aluminum gutters are lighter, rust-proof, and easy to handle, especially if you are a DIY person. They will not be a pain in your head during the installation process. Added benefits include being able to bear cold weather conditions and can be painted over, matching your theme of the house.
The challenge you might face with aluminum gutters is that they can be easily dented or dimpled by a collision with a ladder or if you accidentally step on it. If you plan to install aluminum gutters, we recommend going for the gutters made from primary aluminum rather than recycled aluminum. Primary aluminum is more stout and is of higher quality.
• Vinyl Gutters
The second material option you can choose is vinyl gutters. Besides being lightweight, rust-free, and economical, vinyl gutters are fairly easy to snap and install – again, construction friendly for the DIYers. Despite that, they are less prevalent. Vinyl gutters’ red flag is that there is a probability that they might not survive the cold climate for a longer time when investing in them. The aluminum and vinyl gutters are commonly used because they do the job well for the price. They are efficient and less expensive. But if you can afford stainless steel gutters, it would be beneficial to opt for those instead.
• Copper Gutters
Copper gutters are expensive due to their added benefits. These copper roof gutters never rust and do not need painting of any sort. But what’s important is to apply the sealant coat, as copper metal can get oxidized by air and changes their color to green. They are usually used in restoration projects.
• Wood Gutters
Wood gutters are not as common as others because they are expensive. Since wood comes in plenty of varieties, not all wood gutters are equally efficient in ensuring the protection from water damage. You can spot a wood gutter only on roofs where the owner is architectural idealistic and trying to restore an old house.

Different Styles of Gutters
After choosing your gutter material, the next step is to decide the style you want to install. The competition is between sectional or seamless gutters, and K-shaped or half-round shape. If you are from the western wing of the United States, you might have another option of Fascia gutters, which attached to a fascia board or the end of rafters.
With so many choices and alternatives available, it can be a bit overwhelming. The primary point to keep in mind is that you want a roof gutter that best does its job, swiftly move water away from your home and safe drainage while being long-lasting. You can judge this by knowing the amount of rainfall in your area. After considering the longevity of your gutters, you can focus on other factors like the look, style, and budgetary appropriations.
Continue reading to make up your mind about which style you want to pick out of the three.
• K-Style Gutter
K-style gutters got their name from the shape they have when viewed from the front, as it resembles the letter K. They are also known as “Ogee” gutters – ogee in an architectural context is a type of decorative curve. K-style gutters are structured to resemble the crown molding and are popular among American houses. Due to their popularity, K-style gutters are available in all materials mentioned above. They also come in various sizes; the most common are 5-inch and 6-inch trough as they are capable of bearing a heavy run-off.
• Box Gutter
Box gutters, as the name indicates, are square, having in-depth and broad troughs – lacking the curves of the K-style gutters. In the 1800s and 1900s, these were used as home roof gutters to recreate the ancient Roman and Greek vibe. But nowadays, these are mostly considered for commercial buildings that are more concerned about handling a heavy run-off rather than the style alone.
• Half-round Gutter
Half-round gutters are a classic. They are commonly made with copper; however, aluminum is also used. The downside of aluminum half-round gutters is that they are budget-friendly but less durable. These half-round gutters also have less capacity, due to smaller trough, as compared to K-style or Box gutters.

Seamless Gutters versus Sectional Gutters
Based on manufacturing, gutters are of two types; sectional gutters and seamless gutters. The design names are pretty self-explanatory. Sectional gutters are manufactured in small sections/pieces and have to be jotted down at each end to complete the boundary of the roof. On the contrary, seamless gutters are connected only at the corners; otherwise, they are smooth and continuous around the roofline. Seamless gutters have a contemporary look, whereas sectional gutters are more traditional vibe.
Note down that up till today, seamless gutter systems are only manufactured with aluminum. Seamless systems are highly customizable as they are made specific to each roof size and can be made on the spot.

Which one is better – Modern Seamless gutters or Classical Sectional gutters?
You may want to consider the following points:
• Leakage Prevention
More joints more chances of leakage! Over time the applied sealant at the joints wear-off and they leak. So, this problem is more common with sectional gutters than with seamless systems. Seamless gutters are only sealed at the corners – definitely making it less vulnerable to leakage.
• Debris Buildup Resistance
There is no gutter system developed yet that can claim a 100% debris resistance even with a gutter covering/cap. Keeping in view this fact, both sectional and seamless gutter systems have debris buildup, but seamless gutters offer better resistance against debris and are much easier to clean as they have fewer joints.
• Do you fancy it?
Any high-quality gutter system can give an aesthetic finish. Nonetheless, the seamless gutters look even sleeker as it is continuous (no joints except the corners).

DIY or Professional Gutter Installation
When it comes to having a professional install our gutter or doing it ourselves, we prefer a professional. Although doing it yourself will save you the per hour cost, don’t compromise work hours and other installation costs. You can’t replace a professional installation. Here are a few mistakes that you can/will make that professionals won’t.
1. You will install the gutters too steep or gentle that will kill its purpose
2. Wrong measurements
3. Since not all homes have regular square roofs so you might not be able to choose the right type, 4. style, or material
4. You may not be able to repair the rotting fascia board or shingles before replacing the old gutters
5. Many of you may experience a fall

How much do gutters and their installation costs?
The installation of gutters for an entire home can range anywhere between $600 and $2,400. The national average cost is between $850 and $1,000 for over 200 feet. The usual cost homeowners are paying is $575 - $1,472.

How long can the gutters last?
The life of a gutter system depends on its quality, as well as how well-maintained it is. A well-kept, high-quality system can last as long as 20 years.