Which Gutters are Right for Your Home?

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

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

An Upgrade – Switching out the gutters can significantly impact the curb appeal of your home, enhancing its look in a subtler way than painting or new landscaping.

A New House – Designing a home comes with a lot of of choices about both appearance and functionality. Gutters are no exception. Choosing the gutters that go on your house is important because they will need to last at least 20 years.

A Renovation – If the roof on your home has had damage, the gutters may have to be replaced. Or, they may simply be deteriorating and need to be replaced with new ones.

You obviously know why you are replacing the gutters, but the reason often has underlying motivations…

You want to sell your house.

You want to renovate but not spend too much money.

Your landscaping is being damaged by ineffective gutters.

Figuring out your “Why” will provide direction while you are shopping. You’ll know what features are worth spending money on or if you can choose a less expensive product.

Here are the major questions you’ll want to consider when it’s time to install new gutters.

HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?

The best part about installing new gutters is picking out the style. Gutters will blend in or stand out against your home exterior, depending on your preference.

These are the choices for materials, in order of cost:

VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS

Vinyl and plastic are economical options that are durable in most scenarios, except in extremely cold climates, where they can wear down. Vinyl and plastic gutters are sufficient in most regions of the country, and they come in a wide variety of colors.

METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS

These mid-priced options are stylish and durable. Both of these 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 are the most stylish as well. Homeowners in Seattle who decide on 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 will offer both of these options:

SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS

Sectional gutters – These types of rain gutters come in smaller sections, so they are easier to install. In fact, homeowners choose to install their own sectional gutters. This type is the more affordable choice, and they are made with more seams, which means more sections where leaks can occur.

Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters will need to be installed by a local contractor because they require specialized tools. They are more expensive to order and install, but 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 virtually any style of home. They are better for angled roofs, which are more common. This one of the reasons for their popularity. Plus, they are easy 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 complement rounded roofs, popular prior to 1950, so they provide homes a regal, classic appearance. However, more modern styles made from vinyl and plastic provide the best of both worlds, because they are lightweight and functional. Half-Round rain gutters are much harder to install, but much easier to clean, 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 install. As we mentioned, some types of materials will not hold up in extremely cold climates.

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

Professional gutter installers in Seattle are going to take a lot of factors into consideration to determine the size and the type of gutters that will work the best for your house.

WHAT IS THE FORMULA?

Luckily, the formula professional 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 should also check the maximum rainfall intensity for your area. This is the maximum amount of rain that will occur within a 5-minute span.

Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a simple length times width calculation for standard roofs. But, you will have to figure all the surfaces of multi-faceted roofs.

Roof-Pitch Factor – A steep roof will collect more wind-blown rain than a roof that is less sloped. Knowing your roof-pitch factor will 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 included in precipitation calculations, but you also want to consider the potential for ice dams forming on your roof. If it snows regularly in your region, you need to seek professional guidance concerning the type of rain gutters that help to prevent ice dams, which can really damage your roof.

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

HOW TO INSTALL GUTTERS?

You also need to ask yourself if you’re willing to do the work on your own, or if you are going to pay a professional to install your gutters. Professional installation will ensure maximum efficiency, compared to doing it yourself.

Most homeowners are better off paying a little extra for labor, to ensure that the job will be done correctly. Another bonus of hiring Seattle Gutter Solutions to install your 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.