Which Gutters Are Right For Your Home?
The first thing to consider when you are purchasing new gutters is, “Why?” This pivotal question will help to answer many of the following questions you’ll have before making your ultimate selection.
In our experience as a local gutter service, here are three reasons homeowners will be shopping for new gutters:
An Upgrade – Switching out the rain gutters can really impact the curb appeal of your home, improving its look in a more subtle way than painting or landscaping.
A New Home – Building a new home comes with a lot of of choices about appearance and functionality. Rain gutters are one of them. Deciding on the first gutters that go on your home is important because they will need to last approximately 15 years.
A Renovation – If the roof on your home has suffered damage, the gutters might need to be replaced. Or, they may just be getting too old and need to be replaced.
You obviously know why you are replacing the rain gutters on your home, 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 getting ruined by ineffective gutters.
Figuring out your “Why” will help to provide direction while you are shopping. You’ll know which features are must-haves or if you can go with a more affordable product.
Here are the major questions you’ll need to ask when purchasing new gutters.
HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?
The fun part about installing new rain gutters is picking out the materials. 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 options that hold up well in most cases, except in cold climates, where they will deteriorate. Vinyl and plastic gutters are acceptable in almost every region of the country, and they come in a wide range of colors.
METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS
These reasonably priced materials are stylish and durable. Both of these materials are available in a variety of colors as well. They are fairly lightweight and not difficult 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 Malden who decide on these options 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 these options below:
SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS
Sectional gutters – These types of rain gutters come in smaller sections, so they’re easier to install. In fact, most homeowners decide 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 are going to occur.
Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters need to be installed by a local contractor because they require special tools. They are more expensive to purchase and to install, but less likely to leak than sectional gutters.
K-STYLE OR HALF-ROUND GUTTERS
K-Style – K-Style gutters are far more popular because they look excellent with virtually any style of home. They’re better for angled roofs, which are more common. This speaks to their popularity. And, they are not hard to install. Most homeowners are capable enough to install their own K-Style gutters.
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 luxurious, classic appearance. However, modern styles made from vinyl and plastic provide the best of both worlds, because they are both lightweight and functional. Half-Round rain gutters are much harder to install, but easier to clean, when the time comes for gutter cleaning.
DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?
The climate of the city you live in will determine a lot about what gutters you can have. Like we already mentioned, some materials will not hold up in cold climates.
The most important climate factor to think about is how much work the gutters will need to do. Essentially, how much rain or water are the gutters going to have to handle?
Professional gutter contractors in Malden can take many factors into account to get a good idea of the size and the type of gutters that are going to work the 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 is available on the National Weather Service or the U.S. Weather Bureau website. You can also look into the maximum rainfall intensity for your area. This is the max amount of rain that occurs within a 5-minute span.
Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a standard length times width calculation for residential roofs. However, you will want to figure 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 will help to determine how much rainfall will be collected, regardless of the rainfall statistics found online.
DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?
Snowfall is factored into precipitation calculations, but you definitely want to be aware of the potential for ice dams forming on your roof. If it snows regularly in your city, you should seek professional guidance concerning the type of gutters that help to prevent ice dams, which could really damage your roof.
Of course, the last question is probably the most important …
HOW TO INSTALL GUTTERS?
You also need to ask yourself if you’re going to do the work yourself, or if you want to pay a professional to install your new gutters. Professional installation ensures maximum efficiency, versus doing it yourself.
Most homeowners should consider paying a little extra for labor, to ensure that the installation will be done correctly. Another bonus of hiring Malden Gutter Service to install the gutters is that we will help you answer all of your questions about new gutters so that you are able to find the perfect style and type for your home.