Which Gutters Are Right For Your Home?

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

In our experience as a local gutter service, here are three reasons homeowners might be shopping for new gutters:

An Upgrade – Installing new gutters can really impact the curb appeal of your home, improving its look in a subtler way than painting or new landscaping.

A New House – Building a new home comes with a lot of of decisions about both appearance and functionality. Rain gutters included. Choosing the first gutters that go on your house is important because they should last at least 20 years.

A Renovation – If your roof has had damage, the gutters might have to be replaced. Or, they could simply be deteriorating and need to be replaced with new ones.

You will know why you are installing new rain gutters, but the reason typically has underlying motivations…

You want to sell your home.

You want to renovate but not spend too much money.

Your landscaping is being damaged by ineffective gutters.

Figuring out your “Why” will help to provide direction while you are shopping for new gutters. You’ll know what features are must-haves or if you can choose a more affordable product.

Here are the questions you’ll want to consider when purchasing new gutters.

HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?

The fun part of installing new gutters is choosing the style. Gutters can blend in or stand out against your home, depending on your personal preference.

These are the options you will have, in order of cost:

VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS

Vinyl and plastic are economical choices that are durable in most cases, except in extremely cold climates, where they will deteriorate. Vinyl and plastic gutters are efficient in almost every region of the country, and they are available in a wide range of colors.

METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS

These mid-priced materials are attractive and durable. Both materials come in a wide range of colors as well. They are fairly light and are easy 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 available, copper and stainless steel cost the most, but are the most attractive as well. Homeowners in Redding who purchase these materials are searching for an elegant touch, and that’s exactly what they’ll get!

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?

Most of the gutter materials above offer these options below:

SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS

Sectional gutters – These 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 have more seams, which means there are more areas where leaks are going to occur.

Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters will need to be installed by a contractor because they require special equipment. They’re 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 popular because they look excellent with virtually any style of home. They are better for angled roofs, which are 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.

Half-Round – Half-Round gutters are usually made of copper and steel, and they complement rounded roofs, popular before 1950, so they give homes a regal, established appearance. However, modern styles made from vinyl and plastic provide the best of both worlds, being both lightweight and functional. Half-Round rain gutters are much harder to install, but much easier to clean, when the time comes for gutter cleaning.

DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?

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

The most important climate factor is how much work the gutters will need to do. In other words, how much water are the gutters going to need to withstand?

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

WHAT IS THE FORMULA?

Luckily, the formula professional home exterior 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 statistic can be found online 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 occurs within a 5-minute span.

Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a basic length times width calculation for residential roofs. But, you have 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. Determining your roof-pitch factor will help you estimate how much rainfall will be collected, regardless of the average rainfall statistics.

DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?

Snowfall is factored into average precipitation calculations, but you definitely want to consider the potential for ice dams forming on your roof. If it snows often in your state, you need to seek professional guidance concerning the type of rain gutters that best prevent ice dams from forming, which can really damage your roof.

Of course, the final question is possibly 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 are going to enlist the services of a professional to install your new gutters. Professional installation will ensure efficiency, instead of doing it yourself.

Most homeowners should consider paying a little extra for labor, knowing that the installation will be done right. Another bonus of hiring Redding Gutter Service to install your new gutters is that we are able to help you answer all of your questions about new gutters so that you are able to find the best style and type.