Which Gutters are Right for Your Home?

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

In our experience as a local gutter service, here are just three reasons homeowners might be in the market for new rain gutters:

An Upgrade – Installing new rain gutters can drastically affect the exterior style of your house, enhancing its look in a more subtle way than painting or landscaping.

A New Home – Building a new home comes with a constant stream of choices about both appearance and functionality. Gutters included. Deciding on the gutters that go on your house is important because they will need to last approximately 15 years.

A Renovation – If the roof on your home is damaged, the gutters may need to be replaced, too. Or, they may simply be aging and need to be replaced with new ones.

You know why you are replacing the rain gutters, but the reason usually has underlying motivations…

You want to sell your home.

You want to renovate but not spend too much money.

Your landscaping is being ruined 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 less expensive product.

Here are the major questions you’ll want to consider when it’s time to install new gutters.

HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?

The best part about installing new rain gutters is choosing the style. Gutters can blend in or stand out against your house, depending on your preference.

These are the choices for materials, in order of lowest to highest cost:

VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS

Vinyl and plastic are economical options that hold up well in most cases, except in cold climates, where they will become brittle. Vinyl and plastic gutters are sufficient in most regions of the country, and they come in a wide range of colors.

METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS

These reasonably priced materials are attractive and durable. Both materials are available in a variety of colors as well. They are fairly lightweight and not hard to install. Galvanized metals (coated with zinc to protect them) are able to fend off rust and corrosion even better.

COPPER & STAINLESS STEEL GUTTERS

Of all the rain gutter materials available, copper and stainless steel are the most expensive, but the most attractive as well. Homeowners in Smithtown (Long Island) who choose these options are looking for an elegant touch, and that’s what they’ll get!

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?

Most of the gutter materials above will offer these options below:

SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS

Sectional gutters – These gutters are made in smaller sections, so they’re easy to install. In fact, many homeowners choose to install their own sectional gutters. This type is the more affordable choice, and they are made with more seams, which means more sections where leaks are going to occur.

Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters need to be installed by a local contractor because they require specialized equipment. They are more expensive to purchase and to install, but they are less likely to leak than sectional gutters.

K-STYLE OR HALF-ROUND GUTTERS

K-Style – K-Style gutters are far more popular because they look great with every style of home. They are better for angled roofs, which are far more common. This attributes to their popularity. And, they are not hard to install. Many homeowners are capable enough to install their own K-Style gutters.

Half-Round – Half-Round gutters are traditionally made of copper and steel, and they are best for rounded roofs, popular before 1950, so they provide homes a luxurious, classic appearance. However, modern styles made out of vinyl and plastic provide the best of both worlds, because they are lightweight and functional. Half-Round rain gutters are a lot harder to install, but easier to clean, when the time comes for gutter cleaning.

DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?

The climate of your region may determine a lot about the gutters you can have. Like we mentioned, certain materials will not hold up well in cold climates.

The single most important climate factor to think about is how much work the gutters will have to do. Basically, how much water are your gutters going to have to withstand?

Professional gutter installers in Smithtown (Long Island) will take several factors into account to get a good idea of the size and type of gutters that are going to work the best for your home.

WHAT IS THE FORMULA?

Luckily, the formula professional 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 weather statistic can be found on the National Weather Service or the U.S. Weather Bureau website. You can also check the maximum rainfall intensity for the city you live in. This is the max amount of rain that occurs within a 5-minute span.

Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a simple length times width calculation for residential roofs. However, you will need 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. Figuring out your roof-pitch factor will help to calculate how much rainfall will be collected, regardless of the average rainfall statistics.

DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?

Snowfall will be factored into average precipitation calculations, but you definitely want to be aware of the potential for ice dams. If it snows regularly in your state, you should seek professional guidance about the type of gutters that help to prevent ice dams, which might 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 willing to do the work on your own, or if you are going to hire a professional to install your new gutters. Professional installation will ensure maximum efficiency, versus doing it yourself.

Most homeowners are better off paying a little extra for professional labor, to ensure that the installation will be done right. An added bonus of hiring Long Island Gutter Solutions to install the gutters is that we will help you answer all your questions about new gutters so that you find the perfect style and type for your home.