Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Rain gutters have to be replaced nearly as often as the roof, so roughly every 20 years. This is a good long while, and in the meantime, your home’s rain gutters need to do their job with little work on your part besides gutter cleaning and routine maintenance.
If you haven’t replaced your gutters recently, it’s probably a good time to start looking at the options. Chances are, your options have changed a lot since the last time you shopped for new gutters, either when you built your home or the last time you replaced them.
Styles and types of materials improve a lot over a period of just a few years. This means your next rain gutters will be much more efficient, lighter and offer better curb appeal than the ones that are currently on your home.
Seamless gutters are one of the newest options available.
What are Seamless Gutters?
One of the most revolutionary enhancements in home gutters is the invention of seamless gutter systems.
Seamless gutters are installed in long sections, opposed to traditional gutters that only come in sections between 10 and 20 feet. They are made on-site in most situations with a custom machine, removing the difficulties of transporting such long, narrow materials.
Most gutter installation services own their own machinery and are able to do the whole process – measure, manufacture and installing your seamless gutters – in only one day!
Because they are built to size, it is possible to have seamless gutters that extend over 40 feet, with the longest length of a seamless gutter around 100 feet without joints. This offers homeowners the option to have a single piece of lightweight aluminum in whatever color they choose.
Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Standard gutters have been popular for so long that it can be difficult to realize how another choice can be much more effective. To decide if seamless gutters are a good idea for your home, you will want to understand the benefits of them so you can understand why there is such a noticeable price difference between the two.
There are many benefits of seamless gutters over traditional gutter systems:
More Attractive – With joints just at the corners, seamless gutters have a very sleek look. Seamless gutter machines even cut out holes for downspouts, which have to be present every 20 to 30 feet, so that they are smooth and correctly sized. The custom measurements also help the curb appeal of your home without being too overstated or obvious.
Easier Care – Less joints means there are less chances for debris to get hung on or get stuck within the gutters. Water flows through smoothly with fewer clogs. As a homeowner, this should make you extremely happy, as it means you won’t need to clean them out nearly as often. Seamless gutters usually only need 1 yearly cleaning. In contrast, some traditional gutter systems have to be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year to keep them working well.
Lower Chance of Leaks – Normal gutters can leak at any joint once the gutters start to pull away from the house. Loose fasteners are another problem that can lead to gutter leaks. Getting rid of joints throughout the entire length and width of your house reduces the risk of leaks (which protects your windows, porches, and landscaping).
Discourages Pests – Clogged gutters will attract animals and insects that will hide within them or build nests with the debris that is present. From that point, insects, birds, squirrels and chipmunks have access to your attic and will destroy your roof, causing hundreds of dollars worth of damage. Keeping that buildup out of gutters makes them less appealing for pests.
Eliminates Waste – Measuring for seamless gutters and then cutting them on site ensures that your gutters will be the correct size without having extra pieces that were cut off to match the exact length of the home. This is an eco-friendly practice that lowers your home’s carbon footprint. Plus, there is no need to eliminate the excess or see it end up in a landfill.
Last Longer – Seamless gutters are made with the latest technology and the best materials available. This results in less leaks, less chance of rusting and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the home. Longer lasting rain gutters can also protect your home, including the exterior walls, windows and the soil below.
Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional
Seamless gutters usually need professional installation due to their size and the experience and machinery necessary to manufacturer them. Most homeowners don’t have access t the machinery needed to produce seamless gutters, nor do they have the training on how to set up these machines to make exact cuts.
Seamless gutters do cost more, but once they are installed, you will see their value which pays for itself over time via fewer repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have any questions about the value of seamless rain gutters, talk with a gutter installer who provides both standard and seamless gutter systems to decide if the price difference and benefits are worth it for your budget and needs.
Installing these extra-long rain gutters is not a project that a homeowner can handle safely. Professionals can install a section up to about 35 feet or so on their own, but anything longer will require a second person.
For seamless gutters that are 35 feet or less, they will start in the middle and work their way to each end, securing the gutter every several feet. For rain gutters any longer than that, the installation team will need to begin in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and fasten those sections because of the length and the weight of the seamless gutter.
Paying for professional seamless gutter installation also means that your warranty will be intact in the event of an accident or storm damages.
Seamless gutter installation is not a recommended DIY home improvement project. Homeowners can damage a long gutter by mishandling it. This can damage the gutter’s appearance as well as limit its effectiveness. Long Island Gutter Solutions is proud to provide seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Smithtown (Long Island) area. Call 516-550-5905 now for more information!