Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Rain gutters have to be replaced almost as often as the roof on a home, so somewhere around 20 years. This is a long time, but in the meantime, your gutters need to do their job with little effort on your part besides gutter cleaning and routine maintenance.
If you haven’t replaced your home’s gutters lately, it’s probably about time to begin considering the options. Chances are, your options have changed a lot since the last time you shopped for gutters, either when building your home or the last time you had to replace them.
Styles and types of materials improve significantly over a period of just a few years. This means your next rain gutters will be even 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 improvements in home gutters is the invention of seamless gutter systems.
Seamless gutters are installed in long sections, opposed to traditional gutters which are only manufactured in sections between 10 and 20 feet long. They are made on-site in most situations with a special machine, eliminating the difficulties of transporting long, narrow items.
Many gutter installation companies own their own equipment and can complete the entire process on their own – measure, manufacture and install your seamless gutters – in just one day!
Because they are built to size, it is possible to have seamless gutters that extend over 50 feet, with the maximum length of a seamless gutter at around 100 feet with no joints. This gives homeowners the choice to have an individual piece of lightweight aluminum in whatever color they choose.
Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Standard gutters have been used for so long that it might be difficult to see how another option can be much more effective. To determine if seamless gutters are a good choice for your home, you will want to understand what sets them apart so you can 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 only at the corners, seamless gutters have a sleek look. Seamless gutter fabrication machines even cut out holes for downspouts, which should be present every 20 to 30 feet, so they are smooth and correctly sized. The measurements also help the curb appeal of your home without being overstated or obvious.
Easier Care – Fewer joints means there are fewer opportunities for debris to get hung on or get stuck within the gutters. Water drains through smoothly with fewer clogs. As a homeowner, this will likely make you extremely happy, since it means you won’t be cleaning them out as often. Seamless gutters typically only need 1 yearly cleaning. In contrast, some regular gutter systems must be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year in order to keep them functioning well.
Lower Chance of Leaks – Normal gutters can leak at any joint once the gutters start pulling away from the house. Loose fasteners are also a problem that can result in gutter leaks. Getting rid of joints throughout the length and width of your home reduces the risk of leaks (which protects your windows, porches, and landscaping).
Prevent Pests – Clogged gutters will attract animals, rodents and insects that can hide within them or build a nest with the debris that is present. From that point, insects, birds, squirrels and chipmunks have access to your attic and are able to destroy your roof, leading to hundreds of dollars worth of repairs (at a minimum). Keeping that buildup out of rain gutters makes them less appealing for pests.
Eliminates Waste – Measuring for seamless gutters and then manufacturing them on site guarantees that your gutters will be the perfect size without having scrap pieces that were cut off to match the length of the home. This is an eco-friendly process that reduces your home’s carbon footprint. Also, there is no need to get rid of the excess or see it end up in a landfill.
Longer Lifetime – Seamless gutters are built with the newest technology and the best materials on the market. This creates less leaks, less chance of rusting and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the house. Longer lasting gutters also protect your home, including the walls, windows and surrounding soil.
Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional
Seamless gutters almost always need professional installation due to their size and the training and machinery necessary to manufacturer them. Most homeowners don’t have the equipment needed to make seamless gutters, nor do they have the knowledge of how to set up these machines to make precise cuts.
Seamless gutters are more expensive, but once they are professionally installed, you will immediately see their value which pays for itself due to fewer repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have questions about the value of seamless gutters, speak to a gutter installer who does both traditional and seamless gutter systems to decide if the price difference and benefits are worth it for your budget and needs.
Installing these extra-long gutters is not a task that a single person can handle safely. Pros can install a section up to about 35 feet on their own, but anything longer than that requires a second person.
For gutters that are less than 35 feet, they will start in the middle and work their way to each end, fastening the gutter every few feet. For gutters that are longer than that, the installation team will begin in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and fasten those places due to 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 damage the gutter’s appearance as well as its effectiveness. Lacey Gutters Inc. is proud to provide seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Lacey area. Call 360-226-7246 now for more information!