What Gutters are Best for Your Home
Choosing new gutters for your home can be stressful, especially when this is your first time dealing with gutter replacement. You don’t want to pick the wrong kind or super cheap quality; however, you don’t want to spend a fortune. The experts at Gutter Professionals, Inc. are here to help you determine what gutter materials are best for you and your home!
There are a multitude of gutter material options available to the consumer. Each comes with its own pros and cons. Let’s go through a few of the most popular options.
Vinyl
Pros
- Vinyl is light weight and flexible which makes it easy to install. Sections also easily snap together (great for those who are thinking of a DIY project)
- Very inexpensive to install
- Very quiet when rain, snow, or ice are running through vinyl gutters
- Found in most common gutter shapes
Cons
- Vinyl has a relatively short lifespan. Depending on the climate you live in, vinyl will last up to 20 years (in moderate climate) or under 10 (if owner is not careful)
- Not ideal for harsh climates as they tend to bend with heavy rain or snow
Aluminum
Pros
- Very inexpensive.
- Not only does aluminum resist rust like vinyl, but it also will resist thinning (aka it is hard for hail or snow to wear metal away)
- Come in over 25 different colors which allows you to easily match your house
- Will last over 20 years in nearly any climate as well as withstand cold climates
Cons
- Aluminum doesn’t bend like vinyl; however, it will dent. Larger dents may become a problem in performance
- Crazy temperature changes will cause aluminum to expand and contract. This could cause cracking, splitting, etc.
- You will likely have to repaint aluminum as the enamel that they are coated with will chip with wear and tear
Copper
Pros
- These will add beauty and value to a home as they are high end
- Very durable
- Joints between sections are soldered together. This eliminates the need for periodic maintenance and sealant
- Can be customized on-sit to fit perfectly onto your home
Cons
- Extremely expensive
- Installation is very labor-intensive
- Shiny copper color will eventually fade into green patina
Steel
Pros
- Just like aluminum and copper, steel gutters are resistant to rust
- Steel outperforms aluminum in both resisting damage and warping
- Can be customized on-site to fit perfectly onto your home
Cons
- Could become susceptible to rust as the protective layer of zinc wears off
- Protective zinc layer is hard to discern; therefore, rust could go unnoticed for a long period of time
- Heavier metal which makes installation more labor-intensive
This will help you narrow down what is important to you when deciding on what type of gutters to install on your home. When you are ready for a local, reputable and trusted company to help with your gutter installation, call the experts at Gutter Professionals, Inc. today!
POSTED ON December 21, 2016 // 0 COMMENTS
