Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Gutters should be replaced almost as often as the roof on a home, so roughly every 20 years. This is a long time, but in the meantime, your gutters should do their job with very little effort on your part besides gutter cleaning and annual maintenance.
If you haven’t had to replace your home’s gutters lately, it’s probably about time to start considering the options. Chances are, your options have changed since the last time you shopped for gutters, either when building your home or the last time you had to replace them.
Styles and materials improve significantly over a period of just a few years. This means that your next rain gutters will be even more efficient, lighter and more attractive than the ones that are currently on your home.
Seamless gutters are one of the newest options available.
What are Seamless Gutters?
One of the standout improvements in rain gutters is the creation of seamless gutter systems.
Seamless gutters are installed in very long sections, as opposed to traditional gutters which are only available in sections between 10 and 20 feet long. They are made on-site in many cases with a special machine, eliminating the difficulties of transporting such long, narrow items.
Most gutter installation companies have their own machinery and are able to 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 not uncommon to have seamless gutters that stretch over 50 feet, with the longest length of a seamless rain gutter around 100 feet without joints. This gives homeowners the option to have an individual piece of lightweight aluminum in any color they choose.
Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Standard gutters have been popular for so long that it might be hard to see how another option can be more effective. To decide if seamless gutters are a good choice for your home, you need know the benefits of them 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:
More Attractive – With joints just at the corners, seamless gutters have a very sleek look. Seamless gutter fabrication machines even cut out holes for downspouts, which must be present every 20 to 30 feet, so they are smooth and perfectly sized. The custom measurements also improve the curb appeal of your home without being too overstated and obvious.
Easier Care – Less joints means there are fewer chances for debris to get hung on or get stuck within the rain gutters. Water flows through smoothly with less clogs from dirt and debris. As a homeowner, this will likely make you very happy, since it means you won’t be cleaning them out as much. Seamless gutters only need 1 yearly cleaning. In contrast, some traditional rain gutter systems have to be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year to keep them working well.
Lower Chance of Leaks – Normal gutters can leak from any joint once the gutters start pulling away from the house. Loose fasteners are also a problem that can cause gutter leaks. Getting rid of joints throughout the entire length and width of your home reduces the chance of leaks (which protects your windows, porches, and landscaping).
Prevent Pests – Buildup in your gutters will attract animals and insects that will hide inside of them or build nests with the debris that is present. From there, insects, birds, squirrels and chipmunks have easy access to your attic and can damage your roof, causing hundreds of dollars’ worth of repairs. 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 perfect size without having scrap pieces that were cut off to match the exact length of the home. This is an eco-friendly practice that reduces your home’s carbon footprint. In addition, there is no need to get rid of the excess or see it end up in a landfill.
Last Longer – Seamless gutters are built with the newest technology and the best materials available. This results in less leaks, less chance of rusting and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the home. Longer lasting rain gutters also protect your home, including the walls, windows and the soil.
Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional
Seamless gutters almost always need professional installation due to their size and the training and equipment necessary to build them. Individuals don’t have have the equipment required to produce seamless gutters, nor do they have the knowledge of how to set up these machines to make precise cuts.
Seamless gutters do cost more, but once they are installed, you will quickly see their value which pays for itself over time via fewer repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have questions about the value of seamless gutters, speak to a gutter installer who does both traditional and seamless gutter systems to decide 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 on their own, but anything longer than that will require a second person.
For gutters that are 35 feet or less, they will start in the middle and work their way to each end, fastening the gutter every few feet. For rain gutters any longer, 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. You can damage a long gutter by mishandling it. This can affect the gutter’s appearance as well as limit its effectiveness. Malden Gutter Service is proud to offer seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Malden area. Call 857-314-6755 now for more information!