Which Gutters are Right for Your Home?

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

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

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

A New House – Building a new home comes with a lot of of choices about both appearance and functionality. Rain gutters are no exception. Deciding on the first gutters that go on your home is important because they will need to last at least 15 years.

A Renovation – If your roof has suffered damage, the gutters might have to be replaced, too. Or, they may simply be getting too old and need to be replaced with new ones.

You know why you are replacing the rain gutters, 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 provide direction while you are shopping for new gutters. You’ll know which features are must-haves or if you can go with a more affordable product.

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

HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?

The fun part of purchasing new gutters is picking out the materials. Gutters will blend in or stand out against your home, depending on your personal preference.

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

VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS

Vinyl and plastic are affordable options that hold up well in most scenarios, besides extremely cold climates, where they can become brittle. Vinyl and plastic gutters are acceptable in most regions of the country, and they come in a wide range of colors.

METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS

These reasonably priced options are attractive and durable. Both materials come in a variety of colors too. They are fairly lightweight and are easy to install. Galvanized metals (coated with zinc to protect them) will withstand rust and corrosion even better.

COPPER & STAINLESS STEEL GUTTERS

Of all the gutter materials, copper and stainless steel are the most expensive, but are the most stylish as well. Homeowners in Coon Rapids who choose these materials are searching for an elegant touch, and that’s what they’ll get!

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?

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

SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS

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

Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters need to be installed by a local contractor because they need special equipment. They’re more expensive to buy 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 great with every style of home. They’re better for angled roofs, which are more common. This one of the reasons for their popularity. And, they are not hard 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 are best for rounded roofs, popular before 1950, so they provide homes a regal, classic appearance. However, modern styles made out of vinyl and plastic provide the best of both worlds, being lightweight and functional. Half-Round rain gutters are a lot harder to install, but they are easier to clean, when the time comes for gutter cleaning.

DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?

The climate of your region may determine a lot about the gutters you should install. Like we already mentioned, certain materials will not hold up well in extremely cold climates.

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

Professional gutter contractors in Coon Rapids will take several factors into account to determine the size and type of gutters that are going to work best for your house.

WHAT IS THE FORMULA?

Luckily, the formula professional gutter 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 can be found on the National Weather Service or the U.S. Weather Bureau website. You should also look into the maximum rainfall intensity for the city you live in. This is the max amount of rain that can happen within a 5-minute span.

Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a basic length times width calculation for basic roofs. However, you want to factor in all the surfaces of multi-faceted roofs.

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

DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?

Snowfall is included in precipitation calculations, but you also want to be aware of the potential for ice dams forming on your roof. If it snows often in your region, you need to seek professional guidance about the type of 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 try to do the work yourself, or if you want to hire a professional to install your gutters. Professional installation will ensure maximum efficiency, versus doing it yourself.

Most homeowners are better off paying a little extra for professional labor, knowing that the job will be done right. Another bonus of hiring Swift Gutter Cleaning to install your gutters is that we are able to help you answer all of your questions about gutters so that you are able to find the perfect style and type for your home.