Which Gutters Are Right For Your Home?

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

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

An Upgrade – Installing new rain gutters can drastically 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 constant stream of decisions about appearance and functionality. Rain gutters are no exception. Choosing the first gutters that go on your house is important because they should last at least 15 years.

A Renovation – If the roof on your home is damaged, the gutters may need to be replaced. Or, they could 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 typically has underlying motivations…

You want to sell your house.

You want to renovate without spending too much money.

Your landscaping is being ruined by ineffective gutters.

Determining your “Why” will often provide direction while you are shopping for new gutters. You’ll know which features are must-haves or if you can choose a more affordable product.

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

HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?

The fun part of purchasing new gutters is picking out 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 materials that hold up well in most cases, except in cold climates, where they will deteriorate. Vinyl and plastic gutters are acceptable in nearly every region of the country, and they are available in a wide variety of colors.

METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS

These reasonably priced options are both stylish and durable. Both of these materials are available in a wide range of colors too. They are fairly lightweight and easy to install. Galvanized metals (coated with zinc to protect them) resist 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 stylish as well. Homeowners in Peoria who purchase these options are searching for an elegant touch, and that’s just what they’ll get!

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?

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

SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS

Sectional gutters – These rain gutters are made in smaller sections, so they are easy to install. In fact, most homeowners choose to install their own sectional gutters. This type is the more affordable choice, and they are made with more seams, which means there are 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 buy and 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’re better for angled roofs, which are far more common. This attributes to their popularity. And, they are not hard to install. Most homeowners are proficient enough to install their own K-Style gutters.

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

DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?

The climate of the region you live in will dictate a lot about the gutters you should install. Like we already mentioned, certain materials don’t 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 rain or water are the gutters going to have to withstand?

Professional gutter companies in Peoria can take several factors into consideration to determine the size and type of gutters that are going to work the best for your house.

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 on the National Weather Service or the U.S. Weather Bureau website. You can also find 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 basic length times width calculation for standard roofs. However, 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 less sloped roof. Determining your roof-pitch factor will help you determine 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 factored into average precipitation calculations, but you also want to be aware of the potential for ice dams. If it snows a lot in your region, you need to seek professional guidance concerning the type of rain gutters that help to prevent ice dams, which can really damage your roof.

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

HOW TO INSTALL GUTTERS?

You also have to ask yourself if you’re going to do the work on your own, or if you are going to enlist the services of a professional to install your new gutters. Professional installation will ensure maximum efficiency, compared to doing it yourself.

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