Which Gutters are Right for Your Home?
The number one thing to consider when you are planning to install new gutters is, “Why?” This pivotal question will help to answer most of the questions you’ll have before making your ultimate selection.
In our experience as a local gutter service, here are only three reasons homeowners will be in the market for new rain gutters:
An Upgrade – Installing new rain gutters can drastically impact the curb appeal of your house, enhancing its look in a more subtle way than painting or landscaping.
A New Home – Building a home comes with a constant stream of choices about both appearance and functionality. Gutters are no exception. Deciding on the gutters that go on your house is important because they should last approximately 15 years.
A Renovation – If your roof been damaged, the gutters might need to be replaced, too. Or, they might simply be wearing down and need to be replaced.
You will know why you are installing new gutters on your home, 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 getting damaged by ineffective gutters.
Determining your “Why” will often provide direction while you are shopping. You’ll know what features are important or if you can go with a less expensive product.
Here are the questions you’ll have when it’s time to install new gutters.
HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?
The best part about installing new 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 for materials, in order of cost:
VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS
Vinyl and plastic are economical materials that are durable in most cases, besides extremely cold climates, where they will become brittle. Vinyl and plastic gutters are sufficient in nearly every region of the country, and they are available 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 as well. They are fairly lightweight and are easy to install. Galvanized metals (coated with zinc to protect them) will fend off rust and corrosion even better.
COPPER & STAINLESS STEEL GUTTERS
Of all the gutter materials available, copper and stainless steel are the most expensive, but the most eye-catching as well. Homeowners in Lee’s Summit who decide on these options are searching for an elegant touch, and that’s just what they’ll get!
WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?
Most of the gutter types above offer these options:
SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS
Sectional gutters – These rain gutters come in smaller sections, so they’re easier to install. In fact, homeowners choose to install their own sectional gutters on their own. This type is the less expensive choice, and they are made with more seams, which means there are more sections where leaks are going to occur.
Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters need to be installed by a professional contractor because they need special equipment. They are more expensive to order and install, but 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 almost any style of home. They’re better for angled roofs, which are far more common. This speaks to their popularity. Plus, they are easy to install. Many homeowners are proficient 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 before 1950, so they give homes a luxurious, classic appearance. However, more modern styles made out of vinyl and plastic offer the best of both worlds, because they are lightweight and functional. Half-Round gutters are much harder to install, but easier to clean, when the time comes for gutter cleaning.
DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?
The climate of your region will determine a lot about which gutters you can have. Like we already mentioned, certain materials will not hold up in extremely cold climates.
The most important climate factor to consider is how much work the gutters will need to do. Essentially, how much water are the gutters going to have to handle?
Professional gutter contractors in Lee’s Summit are going to take several factors into consideration to get a good idea of the size and type of gutters that will work best for your roof.
WHAT IS THE FORMULA?
Luckily, the formula professional roofing contractors use is not a 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 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 basic length times width calculation for basic roofs. But, you have to factor in 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. Determining your roof-pitch factor will help to determine 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 definitely want to consider the potential for ice dams. If it snows regularly in your state, you should seek professional guidance about the type of rain gutters that best prevent ice dams from forming, which could really damage your home’s roof.
Of course, the final 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 enlist the services of a professional to install your gutters. Professional installation ensures maximum efficiency, versus 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 Lee’s Summit Gutter Service to install your gutters is that we can help you answer all of your questions about gutters so that you find the perfect style and type.