Which Gutters Are Right For Your Home?
The very first thing to ask yourself when you are planning to install new gutters is, “Why?” This question will help to answer the following questions you’ll have before purchasing your ultimate selection.
In our experience as a local gutter service, here are only three reasons homeowners might be shopping for new gutters:
An Upgrade – Installing new rain gutters can really impact the appearance of your home, improving its look in a more subtle way than painting or landscaping.
A New House – Building a new home comes with a lot of of decisions about both appearance and functionality. Gutters included. Choosing the gutters that go on your house is important because they should last approximately 15-20 years or more.
A Renovation – If the roof on your home been damaged, the gutters might have to be replaced, too. Or, they could just be deteriorating and need to be replaced.
You will know why you are installing new rain gutters on your home, but the reason often has underlying motivations…
You want to sell your house.
You want to renovate but not spend too much money.
Your landscaping is being damaged by ineffective gutters.
Figuring out your “Why” will help to provide direction while you are shopping. You’ll know if certain features are worth spending money on or if you can choose a less expensive product.
Here are the major questions you’ll have when purchasing new gutters.
HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?
The fun part about purchasing new rain gutters is choosing the style. Gutters can blend in or stand out against your home exterior, depending on your preference.
These are the options you will have, 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 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 variety of colors.
METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS
These mid-priced options are both attractive and durable. Both 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) 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 the most stylish as well. Homeowners in Schaumburg who purchase these materials are searching for an elegant touch, and that’s exactly what they’ll get!
WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?
Almost all of the gutter materials above offer these options below:
SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS
Sectional gutters – These types of gutters come in smaller sections, so they’re easier to install. In fact, many homeowners decide 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 will need to be installed by a contractor because they require special equipment. They are more expensive to order and to install, but less likely to leak than sectional gutters.
K-STYLE OR HALF-ROUND GUTTERS
K-Style – K-Style gutters are popular because they look excellent 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. Most homeowners are capable enough to install their own K-Style gutters by themselves.
Half-Round – Half-Round gutters are traditionally made of copper and steel, and they are best for rounded roofs, popular prior to 1950, so they give homes a regal, established curb appeal. However, modern styles made out of vinyl and plastic provide the best of both worlds, being lightweight and functional. Half-Round rain gutters are much harder to install, but they are easier to clean out, when it’s time for gutter cleaning.
DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?
The climate of the city you live in may determine a lot about the gutters you can have 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 weather statistic is available on the National Weather Service or the U.S. Weather Bureau website. You should also check 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 basic length times width calculation for residential roofs. But, you need 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 less sloped roof. Figuring out your roof-pitch factor is going to help to estimate how much rainfall will be collected, regardless of the rainfall statistics found online.
DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?
Snowfall is factored into average precipitation calculations, but you also want to be aware of the potential for ice dams. If it snows regularly in your region, you need to seek professional guidance concerning the type of gutters that help to prevent ice dams, which might severely damage your roof.
Of course, the last question is probably the most important …
HOW TO INSTALL GUTTERS?
You also need to ask yourself if you’re going to try to do the work yourself, or if you want to enlist the services of a professional to install your gutters. Professional installation will ensure efficiency, compared to doing it yourself.
Most homeowners are better off paying a little extra for professional labor, to ensure that the installation will be done right. Another bonus of hiring Schaumburg Gutter Service to install the gutters is that we are able to help you answer all your questions about new gutters so that you find the perfect style and type for your home.