How To Clean Your gutters
In the past few years, seamless gutters have become quite the trend and now a lot of people are using them. They offer value, resilience, and are a really good option for protecting the foundation of your home. There are some downsides to consider as well, so we are here to help you understand whether it’s a good idea for you to install seamless gutters or not.
What are Seamless Gutters?
Seamless gutters are custom-fit gutters made out of aluminum, copper, or galvanized aluminum. They are extruded on site from a large coil so that they fit perfectly on your home or business. There are seams, but those are only in the corners, where the gutters are sealed with silicone after being screwed together. Thankfully, there are about 30 colors to choose from, so you can make the best selection for your project!
Material
Around 90% of all seamless gutters are aluminum. This product is a great value and provides you with a nice return on your investment. The aluminum gutters come with the paint baked on from the factory, so you don’t have to worry as much with the paint chipping or cracking like you would if you painted the aluminum yourself.
Cost
There are many factors that can contribute to the total cost of your seamless gutter project. Obviously, the material that you choose to use is the biggest factor. Aluminum is the most cost-efficient. Galvalume is about 50% more than painted aluminum. And Solid Copper can be 3-4 times as much. Similarly, if you need 6” gutters (because you have a metal roof, tile roof, or a steep-pitched shingle roof), those will be more expensive than 5” gutters.
Additionally, the difficulty in installation is another factor. Two-story homes are going to be more labor-intensive than single-story rooflines. The amount of corner miters (90-degrees) and bay window miters (45-degrees) are a consideration as well. If leaf guards need to be added to the gutters to keep debris out, there are many different options of screens that will need to be built into your budget. There are also other options to consider like concrete splash blocks, rain chains, and rain barrels.
Lastly, you need to make sure that your project is prepped and ready to have seamless gutters installed. Are there any soft or rotting trim boards or fascia boards that need to be replaced? Is there anything mounted on the fascia boards that needs to be removed? Some homes need to have drip edge flashing added so that water doesn’t get behind the gutter and start to rot out the fascia board. That can cost another $1.50 to $2.00 per linear foot.
Pros
- They are less prone to leaking as each piece is custom cut to fit perfectly.
- The finished product looks very clean and sleek.
- There are around 30 different colors to choose from.
- Aluminum, galvalume, and copper are very durable compared to vinyl gutters.
Cons
- The costs are higher than buying 10’ vinyl sections from the hardware store.
- If there is damage to a section, the entire run usually needs to be replaced.
- They are not DIY friendly.
In the end, seamless gutters are a terrific investment for your home or business. They are more expensive than running down to the nearest hardware store and trying to do the project on your own. But they are, by far, much more durable and reliable. If installed correctly, they won’t leak and they won’t break down like the DIY gutters. They also come in various colors, which you won’t find with vinyl gutters. You basically have to choose white, which can look cheap on a nice home. Consider seamless gutters for your next gutter project, and you will be incredibly impressed with the results!
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