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A Complete Guide to Why Seamless Gutters Are Better Than Standard Gutters
If it’s time to look for new gutters, you’ve most likely done some checking into what your options are for replacement. You may have looked into standard traditional gutters and seamless gutters. Both options work to protect your home from damage by letting water flow away from the foundation of your home.
While both gutter options are designed with the same solution to a problem, they work in different ways. And, as with any product, there is always one solution that is more effective. Let’s learn a bit about the differences between seamless gutters and traditional gutters.
A seamless gutter is a continuous gutter. These gutters are custom fit to the length of your house and only have seams at the corners, where they meet as they wrap around your house. These gutters are often cut on the site of the installation by using a truck-mounted machine.
Since these pieces are cut on-site with a roll-forming machine, these gutters need to be installed by a professional. While they are not difficult to install, they do need to be measured precisely, and most people won’t have the machine needed to form the gutters.
Seamless rain gutters have a reduced chance of leaking since they have no seams, and this means there is more water pulled away from the base of your home. This is one of the reasons that seamless gutter systems have become so popular in recent years.
Traditional or standard gutters come in pre-cut pieces, usually 10 or 20 feet long. These sections are then pieced together to create the gutter. The seams are put together with connecting joints, known as couplings. Each of these couplings must then be soldered to prevent leakage at the seams.
This type of gutter is great for both homes and businesses and has a lower upfront cost for materials and installation because they are easier to install than seamless gutters. However, there are additional costs associated with these gutters, such as keeping them painted, and other maintenance, such as replacing joints as needed. They also have a shorter lifespan and need to be replaced more often.
You can choose from a variety of materials when having traditional gutters installed.
These gutters do not rust and are easy to install. They do not need to be painted and are extremely economical. However, vinyl gutters are also the least durable. Extreme weather, such as heat, cold, and aridness, can cause them to deteriorate quickly, and heavy rains can cause damage and the need for replacement.
These gutters are easily the most durable, so they are ideal for extreme weather conditions. But if they are in a climate with moisture, they will rust quickly. Keeping them painted can help slow this process. They are also heavy due to being made of galvanized steel and are harder to install.
These are the best option for standard gutters. They do not rust and, if maintained properly, can last for several decades. They come in a variety of colors, so they do not need to be painted unless you want them to match your home exactly.
Everyone has different needs, but one of the things most people can agree on is that keeping up their home is important. As such, many are switching to seamless gutters because of their ability to reduce leakage and prevent water damage to the foundation of your home. Even the best-constructed vinyl gutters will begin to leak over time.
Maintenance on seamless gutters is minimal. The long, single sections mean there are only connecting points at the corners of your roof, so there are only a few connections to maintain. With traditional gutters, each gutter section has a joint that must be inspected and maintained regularly. The more joints there are, the higher the chances for one to break, which means more leaking around your home.
In addition, seamless gutters are easier to clean out, as they don’t have the seam that catches debris and clogs up gutters. This debris can build up over time, causing leakage around your home. These gutters are also much more attractive because they are one single piece of material.
Learn more about how to budget for new gutters with our new post – How to Calculate the Cost to Replace Gutters.
JET Contracting is a leading gutter installer in the Athens, GA area. We have been repairing gutters, roofs, and siding for over 20 years. Our professionals can help you determine which gutters work best for your home and let you know the pros and cons of each type of gutter. If you’re looking at a gutter project, contact us today for your free quote!
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