Which Gutters are Right for Your Home?

The very first thing to consider when you are planning to install new gutters is, “Why?” This important question will help to answer the questions you’ll have before making your ultimate selection.

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

An Upgrade – Installing new gutters can really impact the curb appeal of your home, enhancing its look in a subtler way than painting or new landscaping.

A New Home – Designing a new home comes with a lot of of decisions about both appearance and functionality. Rain gutters are no exception. Choosing the first gutters that go on your house is important because they will need to last approximately 15 years.

A Renovation – If your roof is damaged, the gutters may have to be replaced, too. Or, they could simply be getting too old and need to be replaced with new ones.

You obviously know why you are replacing the gutters, but the reason often has underlying motivations…

You want to sell your house.

You want to renovate but not spend a lot of money.

Your landscaping is being ruined by ineffective gutters.

Determining 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 questions you’ll want to consider when purchasing new gutters.

HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?

The fun part of installing new gutters is picking out the materials. Gutters will blend in or stand out against your home, depending on your preference.

These are the choices you will have, in order of lowest to highest cost:

VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS

Vinyl and plastic are affordable materials that hold up well in most scenarios, other than extremely cold climates, where they can wear down. Vinyl and plastic gutters are sufficient in most regions of the country, and they are available in a wide range of colors.

METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS

These mid-priced options are both stylish and durable. Both materials are available in a variety of colors too. They are fairly light and are not difficult to install. Galvanized metals (coated with zinc to protect them) withstand rust and corrosion even better.

COPPER & STAINLESS STEEL GUTTERS

Of all the gutter materials available, copper and stainless steel cost the most, but are the most attractive as well. Homeowners in Eugene who choose these materials are looking for an elegant touch, and that’s just what they’ll get!

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?

Almost all of the gutter types above offer both of these options:

SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS

Sectional gutters – These types of rain gutters are made in smaller sections, so they’re easier to install. In fact, many homeowners decide to install their own sectional gutters on their own. This type is the less expensive choice, and they are made with more seams, which means more sections where leaks are going to occur.

Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters should be installed by a local contractor because they need special tools. They are more expensive to purchase and to install, but they are less likely to leak or wear down 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. Plus, they are easy to install. Many homeowners are proficient enough to install their own K-Style gutters.

Half-Round – Half-Round gutters are traditionally made of copper and steel, and they recommended for rounded roofs, popular before 1950, so they give homes a luxurious, classic appearance. However, more modern styles made from vinyl and plastic offer the best of both worlds, because they are both lightweight and highly functional. Half-Round gutters are harder to install, but easier to clean out, when it’s time for gutter cleaning.

DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?

The climate of the city you live in may dictate a lot about what gutters you should install. As we already mentioned, some types of materials don’t hold up in extremely cold climates.

The most important climate factor is how much work the gutters will have to do. Essentially, how much water are your gutters going to have to handle?

Professional gutter contractors in Eugene can take many factors into account to determine the size and type of gutters that will work best for your house.

WHAT IS THE FORMULA?

Luckily, the formula professional gutter 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 is available on the National Weather Service or the U.S. Weather Bureau website. You can also look into the maximum rainfall intensity for the city you live in. This is the max amount of rain that will occur within a 5-minute span.

Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a standard length times width calculation for standard roofs. But, you need to factor in 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 will help to estimate how much rainfall will actually be collected, regardless of the average rainfall statistics.

DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?

Snowfall is factored into precipitation calculations, but you definitely want to consider the potential for ice dams. If it snows regularly in your city, you need to seek professional guidance about the type of rain gutters that best prevent ice dams, which can really damage your home’s roof.

Of course, the final question is possibly the most important …

HOW TO INSTALL GUTTERS?

You also have to ask yourself if you’re willing to try to do the work on your own, or if you want to pay a professional to install your gutters. Professional installation ensures maximum efficiency, compared to doing it yourself.

Most homeowners are better off paying a little extra for professional labor, knowing that the job will be done correctly. Another bonus of hiring EZ Eugene Gutters to install your gutters is that we are able to help you answer all your questions about new gutters so that you find the best style and type.