Which Gutters Are Right For Your Home?

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

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

An Upgrade – Switching out the gutters can drastically impact the curb appeal of your home, increasing its look in a more subtle way than painting or landscaping.

A New House – Building a new home comes with a constant stream of decisions about both appearance and functionality. Rain gutters are no exception. Deciding on the gutters that go on your home is important because they should last at least 15-20 years or more.

A Renovation – If the roof on your home been damaged, the gutters may have to be replaced, too. Or, they might just be aging and need to be replaced with new ones.

You know why you are installing new gutters, but the reason typically has underlying motivations…

You want to sell your house.

You want to renovate without spending too much money.

Your landscaping is getting damaged by ineffective gutters.

Figuring out your “Why” will help to give you direction while you are shopping for new gutters. You’ll know what features are worth spending money on or if you can go with a less expensive product.

Here are the major questions you’ll want to consider when purchasing new gutters.

HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?

The best part about purchasing new rain gutters is picking out the materials. Gutters can blend in or stand out against your house, depending on your preference.

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

VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS

Vinyl and plastic are affordable choices that are durable in most scenarios, except in extremely cold climates, where they will wear down. Vinyl and plastic gutters are acceptable 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 of these materials are available in a wide range of colors too. They are fairly lightweight and are easy to install. Galvanized metals (coated with zinc to protect them) will fend off rust and corrosion even better.

COPPER & STAINLESS STEEL GUTTERS

Of all the rain gutter materials available, copper and stainless steel are the most expensive, but are the most attractive as well. Homeowners in Vacaville who decide on these materials are looking for an elegant touch, and that’s exactly what they’ll get!

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?

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

SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS

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

Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters will need to be installed by a local contractor because they require special equipment. 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’re better for angled roofs, which are more common. This one of the reasons for their popularity. In addition, they are not hard to install. Most 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 recommended for rounded roofs, popular before 1950, so they give homes a luxurious, established curb appeal. However, more modern styles made out of vinyl and plastic offer the best of both worlds, being both lightweight and functional. Half-Round gutters are much harder to install, but much easier to clean out, when it’s time for gutter cleaning.

DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?

The climate of your region may dictate a lot about what gutters you should purchase. Like we mentioned, certain types of materials will not hold up well in cold climates.

The most important climate factor to consider is how much work the gutters will need to do. In other words, how much water are your gutters going to have to withstand?

Professional gutter companies in Vacaville will take many factors into account to get a good idea of the size and the type of rain gutters that are going to work best for your house.

WHAT IS THE FORMULA?

Luckily, the formula professional home exterior 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 online on the National Weather Service or the U.S. Weather Bureau website. You can also check the maximum rainfall intensity for the city you live in. 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. However, you want to figure 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. Determining your roof-pitch factor will help you determine how much rainfall will actually be collected, regardless of the average rainfall statistics found online.

DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?

Snowfall is going to be factored into average precipitation calculations, but you also want to consider the potential for ice dams. If it snows a lot in your region, you need to seek professional guidance about the type of rain gutters that best prevent ice dams, which can 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 do the work on your own, or if you want to hire a professional to install your new gutters. Professional installation ensures efficiency, instead of doing it yourself.

Most homeowners should consider paying a little extra for professional labor, knowing that the installation will be done correctly. Another bonus of hiring Vacaville Gutters, Inc. to install your new gutters is that we will help you answer all your questions about gutters so that you are able to find the best style and type for your home.