Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Rain gutters have to be replaced nearly as often as the roof, so roughly every 20 years. This is a good long while, and in the meantime, your gutters should do their job with very little effort on your part besides gutter cleaning and annual maintenance.
If you haven’t had to replace your home’s gutters recently, it’s probably a good time to begin considering the options. Odds are, your options have changed since you last shopped for new gutters, either when you built your home or the last time you replaced them.
Styles and materials improve drastically over a period of only a few years. This means your next rain gutters will be much more efficient, lighter and more attractive than the current ones on your house.
Seamless gutters are one of the newest options available.
What are Seamless Gutters?
One of the standout improvements in home gutters is the creation of seamless gutter systems.
Seamless gutters are installed in very long sections, opposed to standard gutters that only come in sections between 10 and 20 feet long. They are made on-site in many cases with a special machine, eliminating the difficulties of transporting long, narrow materials.
Most gutter installation services own their own machinery and can do the entire process on their own – measure, manufacture and install your seamless gutters – in just one day!
Because they are built to size, it is possible to have seamless gutters that stretch over 50 feet, with the maximum length of a seamless gutter at around 100 feet without joints. This offers homeowners the choice to have an individual piece of lightweight aluminum in whatever color they choose.
Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Traditional gutters have been used for so long that it can be hard to realize how another option can be much more effective. To decide if seamless gutters are a good choice for your house, you need know the benefits of them so you can also understand why there is such a noticeable price difference for them.
There are many benefits of seamless gutters over traditional gutter systems:
More Attractive – With joints just at the corners, seamless gutters have a sleek look. Seamless gutter machines cut out holes for downspouts, which should be present every 20 to 30 feet, so that they are smooth and correctly sized. The custom measurements also increase the curb appeal of your house without being too overstated or obvious.
Easier Care – Less joints mean there are less chances for debris to get hung on or get stuck within the rain gutters. Water flows through smoothly with less clogs. As a homeowner, this should make you extremely happy, since it means you won’t be cleaning them out nearly as often. Seamless gutters usually only need 1 yearly cleaning. In comparison, most regular gutter systems have to be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year in order to keep them functioning well.
Lower Chance of Leaks – Traditional gutters can leak from any joint once the gutters start to pull away from the house. Loose fasteners are another problem that cause gutter leaks. Getting rid of joints throughout the entire length and width of your home reduces the risk of leaks (which protects your windows, porches, and landscaping).
Prevent Pests – Buildup in your gutters will attract animals and insects that can hide within them or build nests with the materials that are present. From there, insects, birds, squirrels and chipmunks have access to your attic and are able to damage your roof, causing hundreds of dollars’ worth of repairs (at a minimum). Keeping that buildup out of your rain gutters makes them less appealing for pests.
Eliminates Waste – Measuring for seamless gutters and then building them on site means that your gutters will be the perfect length without having extra pieces that were cut off to match the exact length of the home. This is an eco-friendly practice that reduces your home’s carbon footprint. In addition, there is no need to get rid of the excess (which can result in harmful chemicals) or see it end up in a landfill.
Last Longer – Seamless gutters are made with the latest technology and the best materials available. This results in fewer leaks, a smaller chance of rust and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the home. Longer lasting gutters also protect your home, including the exterior walls, windows and the soil.
Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional
Seamless gutters usually require professional installation due to their size and the training and equipment necessary to manufacturer them. Most homeowners don’t have access t the equipment needed to make seamless gutters, nor do they have the knowledge of how to set up these machines to make exact cuts.
Seamless gutters do cost more, but once they are professionally installed, you will immediately see their value which pays for itself because of fewer repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have any questions concerning the value of seamless rain gutters, speak to a gutter installer who does both standard and seamless gutter systems to determine if the cost difference and benefits are a good fit for your budget and needs.
Installing these extra-long rain gutters is not a project that a homeowner can handle safely. Professionals can install a section up to about 35 feet or so by themselves, but anything longer requires a second person.
For gutters that are less than 35 feet, they will start in the middle and work their way to each end, fastening the gutter every several feet. For gutters any longer than that, the installation team will need to begin in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and fasten those sections due to the length and the weight of the seamless gutter.
Paying for professional seamless gutter installation also means that your warranty will be intact in the event of an accident or storm damages.
Seamless gutter installation is not a recommended DIY home improvement project. Homeowners can damage a long gutter by handling it improperly. This can affect the gutter’s appearance as well as limit its effectiveness. Schaumburg Gutter Service is proud to provide seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Schaumburg area. Call 847-443-5262 now for more information!