Which Gutters are Right for Your Home?

The number one thing to consider when you are planning to install new gutters is, “Why?” This question will help to answer the following questions you’ll have before purchasing your final selection.

In our experience as a local gutter service, here are only three reasons homeowners might be in the market for new gutters:

An Upgrade – Switching out the rain gutters can significantly impact the exterior style of your home, increasing its look in a more subtle way than painting or new landscaping.

A New Home – Building a home comes with a constant stream of choices about appearance and functionality. Gutters are no exception. Deciding on the gutters that go on your house is important because they will need to last at least 15-20 years or more.

A Renovation – If the roof on your home is damaged, the gutters might need to be replaced, too. Or, they might simply be wearing down and need to be replaced with new ones.

You obviously know why you are installing new gutters on your home, but the reason usually has underlying motivations…

You want to sell your house.

You want to renovate but not spend a lot of money.

Your landscaping is being ruined by ineffective gutters.

Figuring out your “Why” will often give you direction while you are shopping. You’ll know if certain features are important or if you can choose a less expensive 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 choosing the materials. Gutters will blend in or stand out against your house, depending on your personal preference.

These are the options you will have, in order of lowest to highest cost:

VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS

Vinyl and plastic are economical options that hold up well in most cases, besides cold climates, where they can become brittle. 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 mid-priced options are both attractive and durable. Both materials come 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 fend off rust and corrosion even better.

COPPER & STAINLESS STEEL GUTTERS

Of all the rain gutter materials, copper and stainless steel are the most expensive, but the most eye-catching as well. Homeowners in Centreville who choose these materials are searching for an elegant touch, and that’s exactly what they’ll get!

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?

Almost all of the gutter types above will offer these options below:

SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS

Sectional gutters – These gutters are made in smaller sections, so they’re easy to install. In fact, many homeowners decide to install their own sectional gutters. This type is the less expensive choice, and they are made with more seams, which means there are more areas where leaks can occur.

Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters should be installed by a contractor because they require specialized 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 great with every style of home. They are better for angled roofs, which are more common. This one of the reasons for their popularity. And, they are easy to install. Many homeowners are capable enough to install their own K-Style gutters.

Half-Round – Half-Round gutters are usually made of copper and steel, and they complement rounded roofs, popular prior to 1950, so they provide homes a luxurious, established curb appeal. However, more modern styles made from vinyl and plastic provide the best of both worlds, being lightweight and functional. Half-Round rain gutters are much harder to install, but they are easier to clean out, when it’s time for gutter cleaning.

DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?

The climate of your region will determine a lot about what gutters you can have. Like we mentioned, certain types of materials will not hold up well in cold climates.

The single most important climate factor is how much work the gutters will have to do. Essentially, how much rain or water are the gutters going to need to withstand?

Professional gutter installers in Centreville will take many factors into account to get a good idea of the size and type of gutters that will work best for your house.

WHAT IS THE FORMULA?

Luckily, the formula professional home exterior contractors use is not a 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 check the maximum rainfall intensity for your area. This is the maximum amount of rain that occurs within a 5-minute span.

Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a simple length times width calculation for residential roofs. But, you will need to factor in all the surfaces of multi-faceted roofs.

Roof-Pitch Factor – A steep roof will collect more wind-blown rain than a less sloped roof. Determining your roof-pitch factor is going to help you determine how much rainfall will be collected, regardless of the rainfall statistics found online.

DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?

Snowfall is factored into precipitation calculations, but you also want to consider the potential for ice dams forming on your roof. If it snows a lot in your state, you should seek professional guidance about the type of rain gutters that best prevent ice dams from forming, which could really damage your home’s roof.

Of course, the last question is arguably the most important …

HOW TO INSTALL GUTTERS?

You also need to ask yourself if you’re willing to do the work yourself, or if you are going to hire a professional to install your gutters. Professional installation ensures efficiency, compared to doing it yourself.

Most homeowners are better off paying a little extra for labor, knowing that the job will be done right. An added bonus of hiring Classic Centreville Gutters to install your new gutters is that we can help you answer all your questions about new gutters so that you find the best style and type.