Rain gutters are available in a number of common styles and shapes, plus various materials, including aluminum, vinyl, galvanized steel, copper, and zinc. These products also come in a range of color options, so you can find a gutter system that matches or accentuates the outdoor aesthetic of your home. Learn more about these types of rain gutters and get some helpful tips for deciding on the right type of rain gutter for your home. Seamed gutters are also available in half-round, K-style, box-style, and custom fascia shapes, depending on your preference. Seamed gutters are a good choice for DIY installation and are typically more affordable than seamless gutters, though the type of material can increase or decrease the overall cost. Another beneficial factor of choosing seamed gutters is that if one section gets damaged in a storm or otherwise fails, you only need to replace the damaged 10-foot section instead of trying to repair or replace an entire seamless gutter system. Professional gutter installers are able to create seamless gutters of nearly any length because they use a mobile shop to create custom gutter roll-outs specifically measured and manufactured for your home. The gutter starts out as a large roll of aluminum. The roll runs through the machine and is extruded at the other end in the shape of a gutter. This service comes at an increased cost, but the gutter system is superior to a seamed gutter system. Seamless gutters are more resistant to leaks and some companies will even agree to do a custom gutter run-out for you and let you install them yourself. A major drawback to seamless gutter systems is that they are typically only available in rolled aluminum, while seamed gutters can be made out of vinyl, aluminum, galvanized steel, copper, or zinc. If you are interested in installing gutters on a historic home, make sure to check local ordinances before proceeding because you may be required to install half-round gutters in order to help preserve the historic appearance of the home. Additionally, copper and zinc gutter products are often made with a half-round gutter shape. So if these premium materials are an attractive alternative, you might want to consider purchasing half-round gutters for the house. One downside is that K-style gutters also collect more debris than half-round gutters, making them prone to clogs caused by leaves, sticks, and dirt. The top lip can collect mold and mildew, as well. If you opt for installing K-style gutters, it’s recommended to invest in a gutter guard and regularly clean the gutters to avoid the formation of clogs and blockages. These gutters have a seamless design but need to be installed by professionals. The installers will work with you to create a custom-built gutter system made from a single piece of aluminum. Typically, fascia-style gutters have the same height as K-style gutters, but they are narrower, which can make them more difficult to clean. Custom seamless fascia gutter systems will usually cost more than seamed half-round or K-style gutters. Box-style gutters need to be installed under the roof’s shingles, so it’s recommended to have box gutters installed when the home is built or when the roof is under repair. These bulky products can be as large as 10 inches wide and 10 inches deep, allowing them to handle heavy rainfall or meltwater after a snowstorm. These gutters typically have a lifespan of about 10 to 20 years, depending on the level of care and maintenance frequency. On average, you can expect to pay about $1 to $2 per linear foot for vinyl rain gutters, though the price increases to about $5 per foot if the gutters are professionally installed. Vinyl gutters are highly durable. Unlike aluminum or steel gutters, when vinyl gutters are dented, the dent usually pops back on its own. Vinyl gutters are heavier than aluminum gutters, so they can strain the fascia, especially when the gutters are full of water. Dark-colored vinyl gutters aren’t as colorfast as painted aluminum gutters. Aluminum gutters last about 20 to 30 years and cost about $2 to $3 per linear foot for a DIY installation. You can expect to pay about $5 to $6 per linear foot for a professional seamed installation, while the cost for seamless aluminum gutters is closer to $10 to $12 per linear foot. Dent’s don’t fare well with aluminum gutters. Dents can be popped back by hand, but the gutter never quite looks like the original. Aluminum gutters caved by falling tree branches need to be replaced. Due to the need for soldering during installation, galvanized steel gutters are typically installed by a professional and cost about $8 to $10 per linear foot. You can also invest in stainless steel gutters, though the price increases to about $16 to $20 per linear foot. Steel gutters hold up against dents better than aluminum gutters, but still not as good as vinyl gutters. Zinc is a premium gutter material that costs about $10 to $22 per linear foot for a professional gutter company to install a zinc gutter system on your home. Once installed, pre-weathered zinc gutters are incredibly low-maintenance with a high level of rust resistance and a self-sealing patina that helps to prevent scratches or cracks. Expect professionally installed zinc gutters to last up to 80 years, but keep in mind that zinc isn’t the best choice for locations with salty air or cedar-shingled roofs. The top choice for a premium gutter system is copper. This durable material is commonly used to make both hot and cold water pipes for a home’s infrastructure, so you know that copper is highly resistant to water, cold, and heat. This type of gutter system doesn’t warp, bend, or rust in extreme weather conditions, and can last for up to 100 years if it is properly installed and maintained. The drawback is that copper gutters need to be professionally installed and this installation can cost as much as $15 to $25 per linear foot. Similarly, if you choose to have box-style gutters installed at your house, you will need to hire a professional that can retrofit these gutters to a residential home. For quick, easy DIY installation, it’s recommended to install aluminum or vinyl half-round or K-style gutters. This will also help to keep the price of installation down, but it’s important to note that aluminum, vinyl, and galvanized steel gutters wear out much faster than copper or zinc. Ultimately, you will need to select a style between seamed or seamless. Choose a shape from half-round, K-style, custom fascia, and box-style. Then finally decide on a material, including vinyl, aluminum, galvanized steel, zinc, and copper. Factor in the cost, ease of installation, and average lifespan of each product before making a conclusive decision.
