When the rainy season hits, having good, clean gutters is a must.
Depending on what type of gutters you have on your home, it may be time to get some new ones. There are several different types of gutters and each has its pros and cons. Which material you choose will completely depend on your needs and your budget. If you’re interested at all in getting new gutters for your home, then this article is a great place to start.
When Should I Get New Gutters?
There are many ways for you to tell when it’s time to get some new gutters. Here is a quick list of 6 reasons why and when your gutters need changing. The main way to tell if it’s time for new gutters is by looking for specific types of wear and tear. Sagging, rust, chipped paint, and cracks and splits are all signs of wear and tear that you should look for. However, you should also look for signs of water damage underneath the gutters and near your foundation. This can be a sign that your gutters aren’t working properly.
Closely inspect your home at least once a year for these tall tale signs of damage. Keeping your house running properly is very important. Keeping your gutters in proper working order is an integral part of that upkeep. Gutters are designed to move rainwater off of your house in a way that minimizes water damage to your home’s structure and siding. If they aren’t working right, your home is vulnerable to water damage, so make sure they’re working.
Different Types Of Gutters
There are several different types of gutters and there are advantages and disadvantages to each one. Which type of gutter depends entirely on your budget and your needs. Are you installing them yourself, or are you paying a professional to do it? Here is a list of the most common types of gutters:
Aluminum
This type of gutter is used the most often because it is lightweight and fairly easy to install. Aluminum doesn’t rust, and you can paint it to match your house. If you’re trying to install yourself, aluminum is a good option and will cost you $2-$3 per foot, including the downspout. If you are paying for a pro install, you can expect to pay $4-$9 per foot for materials and labor.
Seamless aluminum
This is a more costly option because they are made on the job site. An installer brings a large spool of aluminum and forms it on a machine to the length that is needed for your home. This is a very common option and without seams, you eliminate the instance of seams, which can spring leaks. This is not a good option for DIY but it is only slightly more expensive than seamless aluminum at $4-$11 per foot.
Copper
Copper gutters are widely regarded as the nicest looking gutters and they add a decorative element to your home. One thing to think about when considering copper gutters is that when copper oxidizes it turns green. This can be a good thing if a green patina will look nice on your home. This is not a DIY option because the seams in the gutter need to be welded. For a pro installation, you can expect to pay $12-$25 per foot for parts and labor.
Steel
This is a good option because steel gutters are very strong. Galvanized steel resists rust for a while, but they may start rusting in 5-10 years. They come in many different colors and can be painted, so you can get them to match your house. This is not a recommended option for DIY because steel is very heavy. These gutters can be pretty pricey, at $4-$6 per foot for DIY and for a pro install will cost you $8-$10 per foot for parts and labor.
Zinc
These are very similar to copper gutters in style, but not in color. Just like copper, they require a pro installation because they need to be welded. Zinc is generally used in high-end homes and on historic restorations because it is very decorative and quite pricey. Zinc won’t rust but it will develop a patina over time, which is something to consider. At $10-$24 per foot for parts and labor, this is definitely a high-end option.
Vinyl
This is a great option for DIY because vinyl gutters are lightweight and easy to install. Although they are not highly recommended for a variety of reasons. There aren’t many colors to choose from, and the colors you can get are likely to fade in sunlight. They are not very strong and will not support a ladder leaning against them. They are also likely to crack in severely cold weather. For just materials, you can expect to pay $1-$2 per foot and for a pro install you can expect to pay $3-$5 per foot for parts and labor.
If your home has gone 15-20 years with the same gutters, it’s a good idea to look for signs of wear and tear. It’s also a good idea to look for signs of water damage around your foundation and on your siding. If you see any of these signs, you should start considering replacing your gutters.
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