Which Gutters Are Right For Your Home?

The very first thing to consider when you are purchasing new gutters is, “Why?” This important question will help you answer the subsequent 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 in the market for new rain gutters:

An Upgrade – Installing new rain gutters can drastically affect the curb appeal of your home, enhancing its look in a more subtle way than painting or landscaping.

A New Home – Designing a new home comes with a constant stream of choices about both appearance and functionality. Rain gutters are no exception. Choosing the gutters that go on your home is important because they will need to last approximately 20 years.

A Renovation – If your roof has suffered damage, the gutters may need to be replaced, too. Or, they could simply be getting too old and need to be replaced.

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 without spending too much money.

Your landscaping is being damaged by ineffective gutters.

Determining your “Why” will provide direction while you are shopping. You’ll know what features are must-haves or if you can choose a more affordable product.

Here are the major questions you’ll have when purchasing new gutters.

HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?

The best part of installing new rain gutters is picking out the materials. Gutters can blend in or stand out against your house, depending on your preference.

These are the choices for materials, in order of cost:

VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS

Vinyl and plastic are economical choices that are durable in most scenarios, except in cold climates, where they can deteriorate. Vinyl and plastic gutters are sufficient in nearly every region of the country, and they come in a wide range of colors.

METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS

These reasonably priced options are attractive and durable. Both materials are available in a wide range of colors as well. They are fairly light and easy to install. Galvanized metals (coated with zinc to protect them) are able to fend off rust and corrosion even better.

COPPER & STAINLESS STEEL GUTTERS

Of all the rain gutter materials, copper and stainless steel are the most expensive, but the most attractive as well. Homeowners in Olathe 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 offer these options:

SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS

Sectional gutters – These gutters are made in smaller sections, so they are easier to install. In fact, many homeowners choose to install their own sectional gutters. This type is the less expensive choice, and they have more seams, which means more sections where leaks are going to occur.

Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters should be installed by a local contractor because they need specialized tools. They are more expensive to purchase and to install, but less likely to leak or wear down than sectional gutters.

K-STYLE OR HALF-ROUND GUTTERS

K-Style – K-Style gutters are far more popular because they look excellent with virtually any style of home. They’re better for angled roofs, which are far more common. This one of the reasons for their popularity. And, 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 recommended for rounded roofs, popular prior to 1950, so they give homes a regal, established curb appeal. However, modern styles made out of vinyl and plastic offer the best of both worlds, being both lightweight and highly functional. Half-Round gutters are much harder to install, but they are easier to clean out, when the time comes for gutter cleaning.

DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?

The climate of the region you live in may determine a lot about what gutters you can have. Like we mentioned, certain types of materials will not hold up in extremely cold climates.

The single most important climate factor is how much work the gutters will have to do. Basically, how much rain or water are the gutters going to need to handle?

Professional gutter companies in Olathe will take many factors into consideration to get a good idea of the size and the type of rain gutters that are going to work best for your home.

WHAT IS THE FORMULA?

Luckily, the formula professional home exterior contractors use is no secret. Here are the pieces of specific information you will need to decide how large your gutters should be:

Average Rainfall – This weather statistic can be found online on the National Weather Service or the U.S. Weather Bureau website. You can also check the maximum rainfall intensity for the city you live in. This is the max amount of rain that can happen within a 5-minute span.

Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a simple length times width calculation for standard roofs. However, you have to factor in all the surfaces of multi-faceted roofs.

Roof-Pitch Factor – A roof that is steep will collect more wind-blown rain than a roof that is less sloped. Determining your roof-pitch factor is going to help to calculate 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 included in precipitation calculations, but you definitely want to consider the potential for ice dams. If it snows regularly in your region, you should seek professional guidance about the type of rain gutters that help to prevent ice dams from forming, which could severely damage your home’s roof.

Of course, the last question is possibly the most important …

HOW TO INSTALL GUTTERS?

You also need to ask yourself if you’re willing to try to do the work on your own, or if you are going to hire a professional to install your gutters. Professional installation ensures maximum efficiency, compared to doing it yourself.

Most homeowners should consider paying a little extra for professional labor, knowing that the installation will be done correctly. Another bonus of hiring Olathe Gutters & More! 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.