What is the best gutter material to have? Copper Gutter System Who knew gutters came in so many varieties! Aluminum or stainless steel? Sectional or seamless? No matter your budget or preference we've got you covered...
Replacing old gutters can be an invigorating cosmetic face lift to your home. Not only will your new gutter system operate more efficiently but you're bound to get a more visually appealing look out of it as well. Here are a couple of options for you ranging from Least to Most Expensive: 1. Vinyl- Relatively easy to install, don't rust or corrode, and are on the lower end of the spectrum when it comes to price. Downside here is they have a tendency to deteriorate a bit over time and especially with colder weather they can get a bit brittle. Additionally, they aren't the strongest material out there so expect some sagging over time or after an especially heavy load sits on them for a period of time. 2. Aluminum- Like Vinyl these won't give in to rust or discoloration and they also hold paint pretty well. However, like vinyl, they aren't the strongest material around and can be susceptible to denting and scratching with improperly placed ladders or branch damage. 3. Steel- As you probably can imagine, steel tends to be a bit more durable and strong then the first two options above. Downside here is that there can be some rusting that comes with galvanized steel. The solution here is to go with the old stand-by for the all-weather material we have all come to know and love; Stainless Steel. These gutters are strong, they look great, and they won't rust or corrode. The price for this lovely look is about 2-3X the cost of the above mentioned systems. 4. Wood- If you have a home in a historic area, like certain spots of downtown Issaquah for example, you may be replacing an all-wood gutter system and you may just want to keep it consistent for the look and aesthetics. Expect to pay quite a bit for this set-up but it could be the difference between a great looking roof and gutter vs. one that looks out of place completely. 5. Copper- A beautiful looking gutter that has a lot of the same qualities as some of the metals in the list above. It's fairly strong and resistant to the elements but as I'm sure you already guessed, it's expensive! What a cool look to a house though! Once you've picked out your material you'll then need to determine whether you want it installed in sections or as a continuous piece. Not all materials area available both ways. As you can imagine getting a piece of cedar to wrap around a house without gaps just isn't happening. Keep in mind, as gutters age the gaps and joints between attached pieces are often the first places to fail as material and wear and tear takes effect there first more often then not. Have an idea of what will look good on your house? We'd love to include some ideas in your next consultation. Give us a call! 425-448-8484
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