Which Gutters Are Right For Your Home?
The number one thing to consider when you are shopping for new gutters is, “Why?” This important question will help to answer most of the following questions you’ll have before making your ultimate selection.
In our experience as a local gutter service, here are only three reasons homeowners might be in the market for new rain gutters:
An Upgrade – Switching out the gutters can significantly impact the appearance of your house, increasing 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 no exception. Choosing the first gutters that go on your house is important because they should last at least 15-20 years or more.
A Renovation – If the roof on your home been damaged, the gutters might need to be replaced, too. Or, they may simply be wearing down and need to be replaced.
You know why you are installing new gutters on your home, but the reason typically has underlying motivations…
You want to sell your home.
You want to renovate but not spend a lot of money.
Your landscaping is being ruined by ineffective gutters.
Determining your “Why” will help to give you 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 questions you’ll need to ask when purchasing new gutters.
HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?
The fun part of installing new rain gutters is choosing the style. Gutters will blend in or stand out against your house, depending on your 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 scenarios, other than extremely cold climates, where they can 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 materials are both stylish and durable. Both of these materials are available in a wide range of colors as well. They are fairly lightweight and are not hard to install. Galvanized metals (coated with zinc to protect them) are able to resist rust and corrosion even better.
COPPER & STAINLESS STEEL GUTTERS
Of all the rain gutter materials, copper and stainless steel cost the most, but the most attractive as well. Homeowners in Topeka who purchase 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 types above will offer these options below:
SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS
Sectional gutters – These gutters come in smaller sections, so they are easy to install. In fact, 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 areas where leaks can occur.
Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters should be installed by a professional contractor because they need special equipment. They are more expensive to buy and to install, but less likely to leak than sectional gutters.
K-STYLE OR HALF-ROUND GUTTERS
K-Style – K-Style gutters are popular because they look excellent with virtually any style of home. They’re better for angled roofs, which are far more common. This one of the reasons for their popularity. Plus, they are easy to install. Most homeowners are capable enough to install their own K-Style gutters by themselves.
Half-Round – Half-Round gutters are usually made of copper and steel, and they recommended for rounded roofs, popular before 1950, so they give homes a luxurious, established appearance. However, modern styles made out of vinyl and plastic provide the best of both worlds, being both lightweight and functional. Half-Round gutters are a lot harder to install, but they are easier to clean out, when it’s time for gutter cleaning.
DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?
The climate of your region may dictate a lot about which gutters you can have. Like we already mentioned, some materials will not hold up well in extremely cold climates.
The single most important climate factor is how much work the gutters will have to do. In other words, how much rain or water are your gutters going to have to handle?
Professional gutter contractors in Topeka can take many factors into account to determine the size and the type of gutters that are going to work best for your roof.
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 online on the National Weather Service or the U.S. Weather Bureau website. You can also check the maximum rainfall intensity for the city you live in. This is the maximum amount of rain that occurs within a 5-minute span.
Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a standard length times width calculation for standard roofs. But, you have to figure all the surfaces of multi-faceted roofs.
Roof-Pitch Factor – A roof that is steep will collect more wind-blown rain than a roof that is less sloped. Figuring out your roof-pitch factor will help to calculate how much rainfall will be collected, regardless of the rainfall statistics.
DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?
Snowfall is factored into precipitation calculations, but you also want to be aware of the potential for ice dams. If it snows often in your city, you need to seek professional guidance concerning the type of gutters that help to prevent ice dams, which can really damage your roof.
Of course, the last question is probably the most important …
HOW TO INSTALL GUTTERS?
You also have to ask yourself if you’re willing to do the work on your own, or if you want to hire a professional to install your new gutters. Professional installation will ensure 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. An added bonus of hiring TruClean Topeka Gutters to install your new gutters is that we will help you answer all your questions about gutters so that you find the perfect style and type.