Which Gutters are Right for Your Home?

The number one thing to consider when you are shopping for new gutters is, “Why?” This pivotal question will help you answer the subsequent questions you’ll have before purchasing your final 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 – Installing new gutters can really impact the curb appeal of your home, improving its look in a subtler way than painting or landscaping.

A New Home – Designing a new 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 15-20 years.

A Renovation – If the roof on your home been damaged, the gutters may have to be replaced, too. Or, they could simply be wearing down and need to be replaced.

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

You want to sell your house.

You want to renovate without spending too much money.

Your landscaping is being damaged by ineffective gutters.

Figuring out your “Why” will often provide direction while you are shopping. You’ll know if certain features are must-haves or if you can choose a more affordable product.

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

HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?

The fun part about installing new gutters is choosing the style. Gutters can blend in or stand out against your house, depending on your personal preference.

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

VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS

Vinyl and plastic are economical choices that hold up well in most cases, other than extremely cold climates, where they will deteriorate. Vinyl and plastic gutters are sufficient in most regions of the country, and they are available in a wide range of colors.

METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS

These reasonably priced options are both attractive and durable. Both materials are available in a wide range of colors too. They are fairly light and are easy to install. Galvanized metals (coated with zinc to protect them) 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 eye-catching as well. Homeowners in Lancaster who purchase these options are looking for an elegant touch, and that’s exactly what they’ll get!

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?

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

SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS

Sectional gutters – These rain gutters come in smaller sections, so they’re easy to install. In fact, most homeowners choose to install their own sectional gutters on their own. This type is the less expensive choice, and they have more seams, which means there are more sections where leaks can occur.

Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters should be installed by a local contractor because they require special equipment. They are more expensive to purchase and to install, but they are less likely to leak or wear down than sectional gutters.

K-STYLE OR HALF-ROUND GUTTERS

K-Style – K-Style gutters are popular because they look excellent with every style of home. They are better for angled roofs, which are far more common. This one of the reasons for their popularity. Plus, they are easy to install. Many 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 recommended for rounded roofs, popular prior to 1950, so they give homes a regal, established curb appeal. However, modern styles made out of vinyl and plastic provide the best of both worlds, because they are lightweight and highly functional. Half-Round rain gutters are harder to install, but they are easier to clean out, when it’s time for gutter cleaning.

DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?

The climate of the city you live in will determine a lot about the gutters you can have. As we mentioned, some types of materials will not hold up in extremely cold climates.

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

Professional gutter companies in Lancaster will take a lot of factors into consideration to get a good idea of the size and the type of gutters that are going to work the best for your home.

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 weather 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 can happen within a 5-minute span.

Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a simple length times width calculation for standard roofs. However, 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. Figuring out your roof-pitch factor is going to help to determine how much rainfall will be collected, regardless of the average 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 help to prevent ice dams from forming, which could severely 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 going to try to do the work yourself, or if you want to hire a professional to install your new gutters. Professional installation will ensure efficiency, versus doing it yourself.

Most homeowners should consider paying a little extra for professional labor, to ensure that the job will be done right. An added bonus of hiring Lancaster Gutter Service to install your gutters is that we can help you answer all your questions about new gutters so that you are able to find the perfect style and type for your home.