Gutters are an important investment for any home. If your old ones are constantly leaking or draining improperly, it might be time to upgrade – but which gutters should you choose? Specifically, what size and type of gutter is best for your home?
Certain things will depend on the needs of your home. A general handyman services company can help give you a better idea of what gutters would work best for your home. When shopping for gutters, there’s a few things to keep in mind when judging the thickness or gauge of the gutters.
Choosing the Best Gutter Materials for Your Home
Aluminum Gutters
Aluminum is one of the most popular gutter options available due to its durability and affordability. This material is incredibly resistant to rust and corrosion, and can withstand extreme heat and cold. Aluminum gutters come in a variety of gauges, but for homes in areas that experience heavy snow, you may want to choose a heavier gauge aluminum of .032 for maximum strength.
Average Cost: $3 – $9 per foot
Lifespan: Around 20 years
Pros: Highly durable, relatively affordable, available in many colors, resists rusting, fading and corrosion.
Cons: Can dent somewhat easily.
Copper Gutters
Copper gutters are a beautiful, highly durable option that can add a distinct pop of color to any home. Copper is a timeless material that has been used on homes for centuries. One thing to consider is that copper gutters will oxidize and turn green over time. While some homeowners love this look and even look for ways to speed up the oxidation process, just know that it will take some maintenance to prevent this if you’re not a fan – a local handyman can help you keep your copper gutters looking shiny year-round.
Average Cost: $17 – $20 per foot
Lifespan: 50 years or more
Pros: Extremely durable, distinct look can increase curb appeal.
Cons: Much more expensive than other gutter options, must be installed with copper fasteners, requires maintenance to prevent copper oxidation.
Vinyl Gutters
One of the least-expensive gutter materials available, vinyl gutters are an ideal budget-friendly option and are fairly easy to install with the help of a general handyman. However, they can be less durable than their copper or aluminum counterparts, and may melt, warp or break in extreme weather or under heavy snow loads. For this reason, vinyl gutters are best suited for homes in climates with moderate to mild seasonal highs with little winter precipitation.
Average Cost: $3 – $5 per foot
Lifespan: 10 – 20 years, depending on the severity of weather in region
Pros: Affordable, simple to install, resists rusting, fading and corrosion.
Cons: Prone to melting in intense heat or cracking in extreme cold; can bend or sag under heavy snow or over time; limited color options available.
Choosing a Gutter Style
There are three widely popular gutter styles for homes: K-style, half-round, square and fascia gutters.
K-style gutters are the most popular gutter style option. In addition to looking nice on most contemporary homes, K-style gutters can handle a lot of drainage at once, and can drain twice as much water as half-round gutters. Aluminum K-style gutters are the most popular material-style combination.
Half-round gutters are a stylish choice for older, historic-looking homes. While their design makes them excellent at collecting water and less prone to corrosion or clogs, half-round gutters tend to be a little pricier than other style options.
Fascia gutters, or eaves gutters, combine your gutter system with your home’s outer fascia board. Fascia gutters tend to be larger than other gutter styles, making them ideal at collecting large amounts of rainwater from homes in climates like those found in California or Oregon.
Need help installing your gutters? Call an expert handyman to do it right
If you need new gutters ASAP, Handyman Connection can connect you to a local craftsman who can help you select and install the best gutters for your home. Our team is dedicated to providing the high-quality workmanship your home deserves. To get expert handyman services near you, call 1-800-88-HANDY today.
The post How to Gauge Gutters Before You Buy appeared first on Handyman Connection.