Which Gutters Are Right For Your Home?

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

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

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

A New House – Designing a new home comes with a constant stream of choices about appearance and functionality. Rain gutters included. Deciding on the gutters that go on your home is important because they will need to last approximately 20 years.

A Renovation – If the roof on your home been damaged, the gutters might have to be replaced, too. Or, they could simply be deteriorating and need to be replaced.

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

You want to sell your home.

You want to renovate without spending too much money.

Your landscaping is getting damaged by ineffective gutters.

Figuring out your “Why” will often provide direction while you are shopping for new gutters. You’ll know which features are important or if you can go with a less expensive product.

Here are the major questions you’ll need to ask when it’s time to purchase new gutters.

HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?

The best part of choosing new gutters is picking out the style. Gutters will blend in or stand out against your house, depending on your personal preference.

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

VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS

Vinyl and plastic are affordable options that are durable in most cases, other than extremely cold climates, where they can deteriorate. Vinyl and plastic gutters are efficient in nearly every region of the country, and they are available in a wide variety of colors.

METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS

These mid-priced materials are stylish and durable. Both materials are available in a wide range of colors as well. They are fairly light and not difficult 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 are the most eye-catching as well. Homeowners in Westfield who choose these materials are looking for an elegant touch, and that’s what they’ll get!

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?

Almost all of the gutter options above will offer these options:

SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS

Sectional gutters – These types of gutters come in smaller sections, so they are easy 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 have more seams, which means there are more areas where leaks are going to occur.

Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters should be installed by a professional contractor because they need specialized equipment. They are more expensive to order 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 popular because they look excellent with virtually any style of home. They’re 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 usually made of copper and steel, and they recommended for rounded roofs, popular prior to 1950, so they give homes a luxurious, established appearance. However, more modern styles made out of vinyl and plastic provide the best of both worlds, because they are both lightweight and 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 city you live in will dictate a lot about what gutters you can have. Like we mentioned, certain materials don’t hold up well in cold climates.

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

Professional gutter contractors in Westfield are going to take several factors into account to get a good idea of the size and type of rain gutters that will work the best for your roof.

WHAT IS THE FORMULA?

Luckily, the formula professional roofing 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 statistic can be found on the National Weather Service or the U.S. Weather Bureau website. You should also find the maximum rainfall intensity for your area. This is the maximum amount of rain that can happen within a 5-minute span.

Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a simple length times width calculation for basic roofs. But, you will have to figure 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. Determining 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 included in average precipitation calculations, but you definitely want to be aware of the potential for ice dams. If it snows often in your region, you should seek professional guidance about the type of rain gutters that help to prevent ice dams from forming, which might severely damage your 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 do the work on your own, or if you want to pay a professional to install your gutters. Professional installation ensures efficiency, compared to doing it yourself.

Most homeowners are better off paying a little extra for professional labor, to ensure that the job will be done right. Another bonus of hiring Westfield Gutter Service to install your gutters is that we can help you answer all your questions about new gutters so that you find the best style and type.