Which Gutters Are Right For Your Home?
The number one thing to consider when you are planning to install new gutters is, “Why?” This pivotal question will help you answer the following questions you’ll have before purchasing your final selection.
In our experience as a local gutter service, here are three reasons homeowners might be shopping for new gutters:
An Upgrade – Installing new rain gutters can significantly impact the curb appeal of your house, enhancing its look in a more subtle way than painting or landscaping.
A New Home – Designing a home comes with a constant stream of decisions about both appearance and functionality. Rain gutters are one of them. Choosing the gutters that go on your home is important because they will need to last at least 15 years.
A Renovation – If the roof on your home has suffered damage, the gutters may have to be replaced, too. Or, they might just be wearing down and need to be replaced.
You obviously know why you are installing new gutters, but the reason typically has underlying motivations…
You want to sell your home.
You want to renovate without spending a lot of money.
Your landscaping is getting ruined by ineffective gutters.
Determining your “Why” will often give you direction while you are shopping. You’ll know what features are worth spending your money on or if you can choose a more affordable product.
Here are the major questions you’ll have when it’s time to install new gutters.
HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?
The best part of purchasing new gutters is choosing the style. Gutters can blend in or stand out against your house, depending on your preference.
These are the options you will have, in order of lowest to highest cost:
VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS
Vinyl and plastic are economical materials that are durable in most scenarios, except in extremely cold climates, where they can deteriorate. Vinyl and plastic gutters are acceptable in most regions of the country, and they come in a wide range of colors.
METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS
These mid-priced materials are both stylish and durable. Both of these materials come in a variety of colors too. They are fairly light and not hard to install. Galvanized metals (coated with zinc to protect them) are able to withstand rust and corrosion even better.
COPPER & STAINLESS STEEL GUTTERS
Of all the gutter materials available, copper and stainless steel cost the most, but the most eye-catching as well. Homeowners in Dearborn Heights who decide on these materials are searching for an elegant touch, and that’s what they’ll get!
WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?
Most of the gutter types above offer these options below:
SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS
Sectional gutters – These gutters come in smaller sections, so they are easier to install. In fact, homeowners choose to install their own sectional gutters. This type is the less expensive choice, and they are made with more seams, which means there are more sections where leaks can occur.
Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters will need to be installed by a contractor because they need special tools. They are more expensive to order 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 excellent with every style of home. They are better for angled roofs, which are far more common. This speaks to their popularity. Plus, they are not hard to install. Many homeowners are proficient enough to install their own K-Style gutters by themselves.
Half-Round – Half-Round gutters are traditionally made of copper and steel, and they recommended for rounded roofs, popular prior to 1950, so they give homes a luxurious, classic appearance. However, modern styles made from vinyl and plastic offer the best of both worlds, being lightweight and highly functional. Half-Round gutters are much harder to install, but they are easier to clean, when it’s time for gutter cleaning.
DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?
The climate of the region you live in may dictate a lot about which gutters you can have. As we mentioned, some types of materials will not hold up well in cold climates.
The most important climate factor is how much work the gutters will have to do. Basically, how much water are your gutters going to have to withstand?
Professional gutter contractors in Dearborn Heights will take many factors into consideration to get a good idea of the size and type of rain gutters that are going to work the best for your home.
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 can be found 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 max amount of rain that can happen within a 5-minute span.
Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a standard length times width calculation for standard roofs. But, you have to figure all the surfaces of multi-faceted roofs.
Roof-Pitch Factor – A steep roof will collect more wind-blown rain than a roof that is less sloped. Figuring out your roof-pitch factor is going to help to calculate how much rainfall will be collected, regardless of the average rainfall statistics.
DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?
Snowfall is included in average precipitation calculations, but you also want to consider the potential for ice dams. If it snows regularly in your state, you need to seek professional guidance concerning the type of gutters that best prevent ice dams, which could severely 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 try to do the work yourself, or if you want to enlist the services of a professional to install your gutters. Professional installation will ensure efficiency, compared to doing it yourself.
Most homeowners are better off paying a little extra for labor, to ensure that the installation will be done right. An added bonus of hiring Dearborn Heights Gutters to install the gutters is that we will help you answer all of your questions about new gutters so that you find the best style and type for your home.