Which Gutters are Right for Your Home?
The first thing to ask yourself 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 only three reasons homeowners might be shopping for new gutters:
An Upgrade – Switching out the rain gutters can significantly impact the curb appeal of your house, increasing its look in a more subtle way than painting or new landscaping.
A New Home – Designing a new home comes with a lot of of decisions about appearance and functionality. Rain gutters are no exception. Choosing the gutters that go on your home is important because they should last approximately 20 years.
A Renovation – If the roof on your home is damaged, the gutters might have to be replaced, too. Or, they may just be deteriorating and need to be replaced with new ones.
You know why you are installing new rain gutters on your home, but the reason usually has underlying motivations…
You want to sell your house.
You want to renovate but not spend a lot of money.
Your landscaping is getting damaged by ineffective gutters.
Figuring out your “Why” will give you direction while you are shopping for new gutters. You’ll know if certain features are must-haves or if you can choose a more affordable product.
Here are the questions you’ll have when purchasing new gutters.
HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?
The fun part about purchasing new gutters is picking out the materials. 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 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 come in a wide variety of colors.
METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS
These mid-priced options are attractive and durable. Both of these materials come in a variety of colors too. They are fairly light and are 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, copper and stainless steel are the most expensive, but are the most stylish as well. Homeowners in Hoboken who decide on these materials are looking for an elegant touch, and that’s exactly what they’ll get!
WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?
Most of the gutter options above will offer these options below:
SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS
Sectional gutters – These types of rain gutters come in smaller sections, so they are easy to install. In fact, homeowners decide to install their own sectional gutters on their own. This type is the more affordable choice, and they have more seams, which means more areas where leaks can occur.
Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters will need to be installed by a local contractor because they need special equipment. They are more expensive to purchase and install, but 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 great with every style of home. They’re better for angled roofs, which are more common. This one of the reasons for their popularity. Plus, they are not hard to install. Most homeowners are capable enough to install their own K-Style gutters by themselves.
Half-Round – Half-Round gutters are usually made of copper and steel, and they recommended for rounded roofs, popular before 1950, so they provide homes a regal, classic curb appeal. However, more modern styles made out of vinyl and plastic offer the best of both worlds, because they are lightweight and functional. Half-Round rain gutters are a lot harder to install, but they are easier to clean, when it’s time for gutter cleaning.
DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?
The climate of your region may determine a lot about the gutters you can have. Like we already mentioned, certain materials will not hold up well in extremely cold climates.
The most important climate factor to consider is how much work the gutters will have to do. In other words, how much water are your gutters going to have to handle?
Professional gutter contractors in Hoboken are going to take a lot of factors into consideration to determine the size and the type of rain gutters that are going to work the best for your roof.
WHAT IS THE FORMULA?
Luckily, the formula professional gutter 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 is available online 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 can happen within a 5-minute span.
Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a simple length times width calculation for basic roofs. However, you have 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 roof that is less sloped. Figuring out your roof-pitch factor is going to help you calculate how much rainfall will be collected, regardless of the average rainfall statistics found online.
DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?
Snowfall is going to be included in average precipitation calculations, but you definitely want to be aware of the potential for ice dams forming on your roof. If it snows regularly in your region, you need to seek professional guidance about the type of rain gutters that help to prevent ice dams from forming, which can severely damage your home’s roof.
Of course, the last question is possibly the most important …
HOW TO INSTALL GUTTERS?
You also need to ask yourself if you’re willing to try to do the work yourself, or if you are going to enlist the services of a professional to install your gutters. Professional installation ensures efficiency, instead of doing it yourself.
Most homeowners should consider paying a little extra for professional labor, knowing that the job will be done right. Another bonus of hiring All Things Gutter to install your gutters is that we are able to help you answer all your questions about new gutters so that you are able to find the perfect style and type for your home.