Which Gutters Are Right For Your Home?
The first thing to ask yourself when you are planning to install new gutters is, “Why?” This pivotal question will help you answer most of the subsequent 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 gutters:
An Upgrade – Switching out the gutters can really impact the curb appeal of your house, increasing its look in a subtler way than painting or landscaping.
A New Home – Building a new home comes with a lot of of decisions about appearance and functionality. Rain gutters included. Choosing the first gutters that go on your home is important because they will need to last at least 15-20 years or more.
A Renovation – If the roof on your home has experienced damage, the gutters may have to be replaced, too. Or, they may simply be aging and need to be replaced.
You obviously know why you are replacing the rain gutters, 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 damaged by ineffective gutters.
Determining your “Why” will help to provide direction while you are shopping. You’ll know if certain features are important or if you can choose a less expensive product.
Here are the questions you’ll need to ask when purchasing new gutters.
HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?
The best part about choosing new gutters is choosing the style. Gutters can blend in or stand out against your house, depending on your preference.
These are the choices you will have, in order of cost:
VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS
Vinyl and plastic are economical materials that are durable in most scenarios, except in extremely cold climates, where they will deteriorate. Vinyl and plastic gutters are acceptable in nearly every region of the country, and they come in a wide range of colors.
METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS
These mid-priced materials are attractive and durable. Both materials come in a variety of colors too. They are fairly lightweight 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 gutter materials, copper and stainless steel cost the most, but the most attractive as well. Homeowners in Highlands Ranch who choose these materials are looking for an elegant touch, and that’s what they’ll get!
WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?
Almost all of the gutter types above offer both of these options:
SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS
Sectional gutters – These types of rain gutters are made in smaller sections, so they’re 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 there are more sections where leaks are going to occur.
Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters will need to be installed by a professional contractor because they require specialized equipment. They are more expensive to purchase and install, but they are 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 every style of home. They are better for angled roofs, which are far more common. This one of the reasons for their popularity. Plus, they are not hard to install. Most 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 prior to 1950, so they provide homes a regal, established curb appeal. However, more modern styles made from vinyl and plastic provide the best of both worlds, being both lightweight and functional. Half-Round gutters are harder to install, but they are easier to clean, when the time comes for gutter cleaning.
DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?
The climate of your region will dictate a lot about which gutters you should purchase. Like we already mentioned, certain materials will not hold up in extremely cold climates.
The single most important climate factor is how much work the gutters will need to do. Basically, how much rain or water are the gutters going to need to handle?
Professional gutter installers in Highlands Ranch will take many factors into consideration to get a good idea of the size and the type of rain gutters that are going to work the best for your roof.
WHAT IS THE FORMULA?
Luckily, the formula professional 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 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 standard length times width calculation for residential roofs. But, you want to factor in all the surfaces of multi-faceted roofs.
Roof-Pitch Factor – A roof that is steep will collect more wind-blown rain than a less sloped roof. Determining your roof-pitch factor is going to help to determine how much rainfall will actually be collected, regardless of the average rainfall statistics found online.
DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?
Snowfall is included in precipitation calculations, but you also want to be aware of the potential for ice dams forming on your roof. If it snows often in your city, you should seek professional guidance concerning the type of rain gutters that best prevent ice dams, which could really damage your roof.
Of course, the last question is arguably the most important …
HOW TO INSTALL GUTTERS?
You also need to ask yourself if you’re going to do the work on your own, or if you want to enlist the services of a professional to install your gutters. Professional installation will ensure maximum efficiency, versus doing it yourself.
Most homeowners should consider paying a little extra for professional labor, to ensure that the job will be done correctly. Another bonus of hiring Highlands Ranch Gutters to install the new gutters is that we will help you answer all of your questions about new gutters so that you find the perfect style and type for your home.