Which Gutters are Right for Your Home?
The very first thing to ask yourself when you are purchasing new gutters is, “Why?” This pivotal question will help to answer most of the questions you’ll have before purchasing your selection.
In our experience as a local gutter service, here are three reasons homeowners might be in the market for new rain gutters:
An Upgrade – Installing new gutters can really affect the curb appeal of your house, increasing its look in a more subtle way than painting or new landscaping.
A New Home – Designing a new home comes with a constant stream of decisions about appearance and functionality. Gutters are no exception. Deciding on the gutters that go on your home is important because they should last at least 15 years or more.
A Renovation – If the roof on your home is damaged, the gutters might need to be replaced. Or, they could simply be deteriorating and need to be replaced.
You will know why you are installing new 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 being ruined by ineffective gutters.
Figuring out your “Why” will provide direction while you are shopping for new gutters. You’ll know what features are worth spending your money on or if you can go with a less expensive product.
Here are the questions you’ll need to ask when purchasing new gutters.
HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?
The best part about choosing new gutters is picking out 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 cost:
VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS
Vinyl and plastic are affordable choices that are durable in most scenarios, other than extremely cold climates, where they will wear down. Vinyl and plastic gutters are acceptable in most regions of the country, and they are available in a wide range of colors.
METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS
These reasonably priced options are stylish and durable. Both of these 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) 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 attractive as well. Homeowners in Clarksville who choose these materials are looking for an elegant touch, and that’s just what they’ll get!
WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?
Almost all of the gutter materials above will offer both of these options below:
SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS
Sectional gutters – These rain gutters are made in smaller sections, so they’re easy to install. In fact, most homeowners choose to install their own sectional gutters. This type is the less expensive choice, and they are made with more seams, which means more sections 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 purchase and 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 excellent with every style of home. They’re better for angled roofs, which are far more common. This speaks to their popularity. In addition, they are easy to install. Most homeowners are proficient 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 give homes a luxurious, classic appearance. However, more modern styles made from vinyl and plastic provide the best of both worlds, because they are lightweight and functional. Half-Round rain gutters are a lot harder to install, but much easier to clean out, when it’s time for gutter cleaning.
DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?
The climate of the city you live in will determine a lot about the gutters you should purchase. Like we already mentioned, certain materials don’t hold up in cold climates.
The single most important climate factor to think about is how much work the gutters will need to do. Essentially, how much rain or water are your gutters going to need to withstand?
Professional gutter companies in Clarksville will take many factors into consideration to determine the size and the type of rain gutters that will work the best for your roof.
WHAT IS THE FORMULA?
Luckily, the formula professional roofing 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 statistic is available on the National Weather Service or the U.S. Weather Bureau website. You should also find the maximum rainfall intensity for the city you live in. This is the max amount of rain that will occur within a 5-minute span.
Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a simple length times width calculation for basic roofs. However, 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. Determining your roof-pitch factor is going to help you estimate how much rainfall will actually be collected, regardless of the average rainfall statistics found online.
DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?
Snowfall is included in precipitation calculations, but you also want to be aware of the potential for ice dams. If it snows a lot in your state, you should seek professional guidance concerning the type of gutters that best prevent ice dams, which could really damage your home’s roof.
Of course, the last question is arguably the most important …
HOW TO INSTALL GUTTERS?
You also have to ask yourself if you’re willing to do the work on your own, or if you are going to enlist the services of a professional to install your new gutters. Professional installation will ensure efficiency, instead of 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 Choice Clarksville Gutters to install the gutters is that we can help you answer all your questions about gutters so that you find the best style and type for your home.