There are a ton of choices available to you when it comes to outfitting your gutter system. But, you should be aware of each type and the effect that it can have on your home. Below is a list of the most popular materials for you to utilize in the search for making the best gutters for your home.
Vinyl
Vinyl is the easiest material to install which makes it perfect for DIY projects. But also, vinyl expands and contracts more than the other choices on this list. Because of that, you’ll end up having to cut the downspout connector at a length that responds to the current temperature. When it comes to aesthetics, vinyl usually comes in white or brown. If you look hard enough though, you might be able to find it in grey or various other shades of brown.
Aluminum
This popular, inexpensive material is lightweight, resistant to rust, durable, and universally available. All of these factors make it the perfect choice for many homeowners. Aluminum gutters are usually available in white or brown, but you can use a colored coating to produce your perfect aesthetic.
There are many options for installation like using straphangers, hidden brackets, or exterior brackets. Also, just like vinyl gutters, aluminum expands and contracts with temperature changes. If your roof has algae-resistant shingles or a thin coating of copper, then you might not want to choose aluminum due to the high possibility of corrosion.
Copper
Copper is resistant to rust, experiences minimal expanding and contracting, and can hold it own for over a century. Just these factors alone make it worth it for some homeowners to pay a couple of extra dollars. Copper is often soldered together and can be held-together with straphangers, hidden brackets, or exterior brackets. Copper often turns green with age. If you would rather not witness this transformation, then you can just have the gutters treated with a sealant that stops the material for oxidizing over time.
Steel
This material is strong, but expensive and rare among homes. It can withstand many different types of debris like falling branches and heavy snow. It can also provide more support to ladders, which is important for those who are going to routinely look over the gutters. As for contracting and expanding, steel does it the least. But, keep in mind that steel will inevitably rust.
Seamless Gutters
This type of gutter mimics aluminum, steel, and copper gutters by running a metal coil through an extruder that produces the material in seamless lengths. By having fewer seams, it cuts down on the leaks that might happen. Either call on a local roofing contractor to handle the job or get them to custom cut the material if you want to do it yourself.
When finding gutters that are perfect for your lifestyle, all materials have their pros and cons. You have to consider certain factors like how often you’d want to do maintenance or the climate that you live in. Once you think about all of these factors, then you’ll have the gutters of your dreams while being able to protect your home in the long run.
Author’s short bio:
Frazier Roofing and Guttering have over 18 years of experience in roofing and gutter installation in Arlington TX and have been happily serving all of Tarrant County and surrounding cities with their gutter and roofing demands. Founded by Rich & Sheila Frazier in 1977, the year that Elvis “The King” left us. Over the years, we have built up our team of Arlington roofing contractors and have become one of the most distinguished roofing companies in the area.
