Which Gutters are Right for Your Home?

The number one thing to consider when you are planning to install new gutters is, “Why?” This important question will help to answer many of the questions you’ll have before purchasing your selection.

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

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

A New House – Building a new home comes with a lot of of choices about both appearance and functionality. Rain gutters are one of them. Deciding on the first gutters that go on your home is important because they will need to last at least 20 years or more.

A Renovation – If your home’s roof has experienced damage, the gutters might need to be replaced. Or, they could just be deteriorating and need to be replaced with new ones.

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

You want to sell your home.

You want to renovate but not spend a lot of money.

Your landscaping is being ruined 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 worth spending your money on or if you can go with a more affordable product.

Here are the questions you’ll need to ask when purchasing new gutters.

HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?

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

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

VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS

Vinyl and plastic are economical options that are durable in most cases, except in extremely cold climates, where they will become brittle. 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 attractive and durable. Both materials come in a wide range of colors too. They are fairly lightweight and easy to install. Galvanized metals (coated with zinc to protect them) will withstand rust and corrosion even better.

COPPER & STAINLESS STEEL GUTTERS

Of all the rain gutter materials, copper and stainless steel cost the most, but are the most eye-catching as well. Homeowners in Hempstead 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 materials above will offer these options below:

SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS

Sectional gutters – These types of gutters are made in smaller sections, so they’re easy to install. In fact, many 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 sections where leaks are going to occur.

Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters should be installed by a local contractor because they need special tools. They’re more expensive to order and to 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 virtually any style of home. They are better for angled roofs, which are far more common. This speaks to their popularity. In addition, 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 are best for rounded roofs, popular before 1950, so they provide homes a regal, established curb appeal. However, 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 harder to install, but easier to clean out, when it’s time for gutter cleaning.

DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?

The climate of the region you live in may dictate a lot about the gutters you can have. As we mentioned, certain materials will not hold up in cold climates.

The single most important climate factor to think about is how much work the gutters will need to do. In other words, how much water are your gutters going to have to withstand?

Professional gutter companies in Hempstead can take a lot of factors into account to get a good idea of the size and the type of gutters that will work best for your roof.

WHAT IS THE FORMULA?

Luckily, the formula professional 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 weather statistic is available online 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 simple length times width calculation for basic roofs. However, you will need to figure all the surfaces of multi-faceted roofs.

Roof-Pitch Factor – A steep roof will collect more wind-blown rain than a roof that is less sloped. Determining your roof-pitch factor is going to help to calculate how much rainfall will actually be collected, regardless of the rainfall statistics.

DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?

Snowfall is factored into average precipitation calculations, but you definitely want to consider the potential for ice dams. If it snows regularly in your city, you need to seek professional guidance concerning the type of rain gutters that best prevent ice dams, which can really damage your roof.

Of course, the final question is probably 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 pay a professional to install your gutters. Professional installation will ensure efficiency, instead of doing it yourself.

Most homeowners should consider paying a little extra for labor, knowing that the installation will be done correctly. Another bonus of hiring EZ Gutters, Inc. to install the new gutters is that we can help you answer all of your questions about new gutters so that you find the best style and type.