Benefits of Seamless Gutters

Gutters should be replaced nearly as often as the roof, so somewhere around 20 years. This is a good long while, but in the meantime, your rain gutters should do their job with little work on your part besides gutter cleaning and routine maintenance.

If you haven’t needed to replace your gutters lately, it’s probably a good time to start looking at the options. Chances are, your options have changed since you last shopped for gutters, either when you built your house or the last time you had to replace them.

Styles and materials improve significantly over a period of just a few years. This means your next rain gutters will be a lot more efficient, lighter and more attractive than the current ones on your house.

Seamless gutters are one of the new options available.

What are Seamless Gutters?

One of the major improvements in rain gutters is the invention of seamless gutter systems.

Seamless gutters are installed in long sections, opposed to standard gutters that are only available in sections between 10 and 20 feet long. They are made on-site in many situations with a special machine, removing the difficulties of transporting such long, narrow items.

Many gutter installation businesses have their own machinery and can complete the entire process on their own – measure, manufacture and install your seamless gutters – in less than one day!

Since they are built to size, it is possible to have seamless gutters that stretch over 50 feet, with the longest length of a seamless gutter at around 100 feet with no joints. This gives homeowners the option to have a single piece of lightweight aluminum in whatever color they choose.

Benefits of Seamless Gutters

Standard gutters have been popular for so long that it can be hard to believe how another option can be much more effective. To determine if seamless gutters are a good idea for your house, you need to know what sets them apart so you can understand why there is such a noticeable price difference between the two.

There are many benefits of seamless gutters over traditional gutter systems:

Better Curb Appeal – With joints only at the corners, seamless gutters have a noticeably sleek look. Seamless gutter machines even cut out holes for gutter downspouts, which have to be present every 20 to 30 feet, so that they are smooth and perfectly sized. The measurements also help the curb appeal of your home without being overstated or obvious.

Easier Care – Fewer joints means there are fewer opportunities for debris to cling on or get stuck within the gutters. Water drains through smoothly with fewer clogs from dirt and debris. As a homeowner, this should make you extremely pleased, since it means you won’t be cleaning them out as often. Seamless gutters only need 1 annual cleaning. In comparison, most regular rain gutter systems must be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year in order to keep them functioning well.

Lower Chance of Leaks – Traditional gutters can leak from any joint once the gutters start pulling away from the house. Loose fasteners are also a problem that can lead to gutter leaks. Getting rid of joints throughout the length and width of your house helps reduce the likelihood of leaks (which protects your windows, porches, and landscaping).

Prevent Pests – Buildup in your gutters will attract animals and insects that are able to hide inside of them or build a nest with the materials that are present. From there, insects, birds, squirrels and chipmunks have access to your attic and can damage your roof, causing hundreds of dollars worth of damage (at a minimum). Keeping that buildup out of your gutters makes them less attractive for pests.

Eliminates Waste – Measuring for seamless gutters and then building them on site ensures that your gutters will be the correct length without having additional pieces that were cut off to match the length of the home. This is an environmentally-friendly process that lowers your home’s carbon footprint. In addition, there is no need to destroy the excess or see it end up in a landfill.

Last Longer – Seamless gutters are designed with the newest technology and the best materials on the market. This results in fewer leaks, a smaller chance of rusting and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the home. Longer lasting gutters can also protect your house, including the exterior walls, windows and the soil below.

Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional

Seamless gutters usually need professional installation due to their size and the experience and machinery needed to manufacturer them. Individuals don’t have to own the equipment required to produce seamless gutters, nor do they have the training on how to set up these machines to make exact cuts.

Seamless gutters do cost more, but once they are professionally installed, you will quickly see their value which pays for itself because of less repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have any questions concerning the value of seamless gutters, talk with a gutter installer who provides both traditional and seamless gutter systems to determine if the price difference and benefits are worth it for your budget and needs.

Installing seamless rain gutters is not a job that a single person can handle safely. Professionals can install a section up to about 30 feet or so on their own, but anything longer than that requires a second person.

For gutters that are less than 35 feet, they will start in the middle and work their way to each end, securing the gutter every several feet. For gutters that are longer than that, the installation team will begin in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and fasten those places due to the length and weight of the seamless gutter.

Paying for professional seamless gutter installation also means that your warranty will be intact in the event of an accident or storm damages.

Seamless gutter installation is not a recommended DIY home improvement project. Homeowners can damage a seamless gutter by handling it improperly. This can damage the gutter’s appearance as well as its effectiveness. Seattle Gutter Solutions is proud to offer seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Seattle area. Call 206-593-3880 now for more information!