Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Rain gutters need to be replaced nearly as often as the roof on a home, so roughly every 20 years. This is a long time, but in the meantime, your rain gutters should do their job with very little effort on your part besides gutter cleaning and annual maintenance.
If you haven’t needed to replace your gutters recently, it’s probably about time to start looking at the options. More than likely, your options have changed a lot since you last shopped for gutters, either when you built your house or the last time you replaced them.
Styles and materials improve significantly over a period of only a few years. This means that your next gutters will be a lot more efficient, lighter and offer better curb appeal than the ones that are currently on your home.
Seamless gutters are one of the new options available.
What are Seamless Gutters?
One of the most revolutionary upgrades in rain gutters is the invention of seamless gutter systems.
Seamless gutters are installed in long sections, opposed to standard gutters which are only sold in sections between 10 and 20 feet long. They are made on-site in most situations with a custom machine, eliminating the difficulties of transporting such long, narrow materials.
Most gutter installation services have their own equipment and are able to complete the entire process on their own – measure, manufacture and installing your seamless gutters – in less than one day!
Because they are built to size, it is not uncommon to have seamless gutters that stretch over 50 feet, with the maximum length of a seamless rain gutter at around 100 feet with no joints. This offers homeowners the option to have a single piece of lightweight aluminum in whatever color they choose.
Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Standard gutters have been popular for so long that it might be difficult to believe how another choice can be more effective. To determine if seamless gutters are a good choice for your house, you will want to understand what sets them apart so you can also understand why there is such a noticeable price difference between the two.
There are many benefits of seamless gutters over traditional gutter systems:
More Attractive – With joints just at the corners, seamless gutters have a very sleek appearance. Seamless gutter machines even cut out holes for downspouts, which must be present every 20 to 30 feet, so they are smooth and correctly sized. The measurements also increase the curb appeal of your home without being overstated or obvious.
Easier Care – Less joints means there are less opportunities for debris to get hung on or get stuck within the rain gutters. Water flows through smoothly with less clogs from dirt and debris. As a homeowner, this will likely make you very happy, as it means you don’t need to clean them out nearly as often. Seamless gutters only need 1 yearly cleaning. In contrast, some traditional gutter systems must be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year to keep them working well.
Lower Chance of Leaks – Regular gutters can leak at any joint if the gutters start pulling away from the home. Loose fasteners are another problem that can result in gutter leaks. Eliminating joints across the entire length and width of your house reduces the likelihood of leaks (which protects your windows, porches, and landscaping).
Prevent Pests – Buildup in your gutters will attract small animals, rodents and insects that can hide within them or build a nest with the materials that are present. From there, insects, birds, squirrels and chipmunks have easy access to your attic and can damage your roof, causing hundreds of dollars’ of damage. Keeping that buildup out of gutters makes them less attractive for pests.
Eliminates Waste – Measuring for seamless gutters and then building them on site means that your gutters will be the correct length without having additional pieces that were cut off to match the exact length of the house. This is an eco-friendly practice that lowers your home’s carbon footprint. Also, there is no need to get rid of the excess (which can result in harmful chemicals) or see it end up in a landfill.
Last Longer – Seamless gutters are built with the newest technology and the best materials available. This creates fewer leaks, a smaller chance of rust and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the house. Longer lasting gutters also protect your home, including the exterior walls, windows and surrounding soil below.
Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional
Seamless gutters almost always need professional installation because of their size and the experience and machinery necessary to manufacturer them. Individuals don’t have have the equipment necessary to produce seamless gutters, nor do they have the training on how to program these machines to make precise cuts.
Seamless gutters are more expensive, but once they are professionally installed, you will see their value which pays for itself because of fewer repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have questions concerning the value of seamless gutters, speak to a gutter installer who offers both traditional and seamless gutter systems to determine if the price difference and benefits are a good fit for your budget and needs.
Installing these extra-long rain gutters is not a task that a single person can handle safely. Pros can install a section up to about 30 feet by themselves, but anything longer than that will require a second person.
For gutters that are less than 35 feet, they will start in the middle and work their way to each end, securing the gutter every few feet. For gutters any longer than that, the installation team will need to start in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and fasten those places because of the length and weight of the seamless gutter.
Paying for professional seamless gutter installation also means that your warranty will be intact in the event of an accident or storm damages.
Seamless gutter installation is not a recommended DIY home improvement project. Homeowners can easily damage a seamless gutter by handling it improperly. This can affect the gutter’s appearance as well as limit its effectiveness. Huntsville Gutter Service is proud to provide seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Huntsville area. Call 256-223-9495 now for more information!