Which Gutters Are Right For Your Home?
The number one thing to ask yourself when you are planning to install new gutters is, “Why?” This important question will help to answer the questions you’ll have before making your ultimate selection.
In our experience as a local gutter service, here are just three reasons homeowners might be shopping for new gutters:
An Upgrade – Switching out the rain gutters can drastically impact the curb appeal of your house, enhancing its look in a subtler way than painting or landscaping.
A New House – Designing a home comes with a constant stream of choices about appearance and functionality. Rain gutters are no exception. Deciding on the gutters that go on your house is important because they will need to last approximately 20 years or more.
A Renovation – If your home’s roof been damaged, the gutters may have to be replaced, too. Or, they could simply be deteriorating and need to be replaced with new ones.
You will know why you are replacing the rain gutters, but the reason usually has underlying motivations…
You want to sell your house.
You want to renovate but not spend too much money.
Your landscaping is getting damaged by ineffective gutters.
Figuring out your “Why” will provide direction while you are shopping for new gutters. You’ll know what features are must-haves or if you can go with a more affordable product.
Here are the major questions you’ll want to consider when it’s time to install new gutters.
HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?
The fun part about purchasing new gutters is picking out the materials. Gutters will 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 affordable options that are durable in most cases, except in extremely cold climates, where they can become brittle. Vinyl and plastic gutters are sufficient in nearly every region of the country, and they are available in a wide variety of colors.
METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS
These mid-priced materials are attractive and durable. Both materials are available in a wide range of colors as well. They are fairly lightweight and are 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, copper and stainless steel are the most expensive, but are the most stylish as well. Homeowners in Napa who choose these options are searching for an elegant touch, and that’s just what they’ll get!
WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?
Most of the gutter options above offer both of these options below:
SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS
Sectional gutters – These rain gutters are made in smaller sections, so they’re easier 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 are made with more seams, which means there are more areas where leaks are going to occur.
Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters should be installed by a professional contractor because they need specialized tools. They are more expensive to buy and 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 great with virtually any style of home. They’re better for angled roofs, which are more common. This attributes to their popularity. And, they are easy to install. Many 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 recommended for rounded roofs, popular before 1950, so they give homes a luxurious, classic appearance. However, more modern styles made from vinyl and plastic provide the best of both worlds, being lightweight and functional. Half-Round gutters are a lot harder to install, but they are easier to clean out, when it’s time for gutter cleaning.
DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?
The climate of your region may dictate a lot about which gutters you can havecontractors 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 statistic can be found on the National Weather Service or the U.S. Weather Bureau website. You should also look into the maximum rainfall intensity for your area. This is the max amount of rain that will occur within a 5-minute span.
Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a standard length times width calculation for standard roofs. But, you will want to factor in all the surfaces of multi-faceted roofs.
Roof-Pitch Factor – A steep roof will collect more wind-blown rain than a less sloped roof. Figuring out your roof-pitch factor will help to determine how much rainfall will actually be collected, regardless of the rainfall statistics found online.
DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?
Snowfall is going to be factored into precipitation calculations, but you also want to consider the potential for ice dams forming on your roof. If it snows a lot in your state, you should seek professional guidance concerning the type of rain gutters that help to prevent ice dams from forming, which can really damage your home’s 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 on your own, or if you want to pay 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 job will be done correctly. Another bonus of hiring Nifty Napa Gutters to install your new gutters is that we will help you answer all your questions about gutters so that you find the best style and type for your home.