Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Gutters need to be replaced almost as often as the roof, so roughly every 20 years. This is a long time, and in the meantime, your home’s rain gutters should do their job with very little work on your part besides gutter cleaning and annual maintenance.
If you haven’t had to replace your home’s gutters recently, it’s probably about time to begin considering the options. Chances are, your options have changed a lot since you last shopped for gutters, either when building your house or the last time you replaced them.
Styles and materials improve a lot over a period of only a few years. This means your next gutters will be even more efficient, lighter and more attractive than the ones that are currently on your house.
Seamless gutters are one of the new options available.
What are Seamless Gutters?
One of the major enhancements in home gutters is the invention of seamless gutter systems.
Seamless gutters are installed in long sections, as opposed to standard gutters which only come in sections between 10 and 20 feet. They are made on-site in most cases with a special machine, eliminating the difficulties of transporting long, narrow items.
Many gutter installation companies own their own machinery and are able to complete the entire process on their own – measure, manufacture and install your seamless gutters – in less than one day!
Since they are manufactured to size, it is not uncommon to have seamless gutters that stretch over 40 feet, with the longest length of a seamless rain gutter at around 100 feet with no joints. This gives homeowners the option to have a single piece of lightweight aluminum in whatever color they choose.
Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Standard gutters have been used for so long that it can be hard to see how another option can be much more effective. To determine if seamless gutters are a smart idea for your house, you should understand what sets them apart so you can understand why there is 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 appearance. Seamless gutter fabrication machines even cut out holes for gutter downspouts, which should be present every 20 to 30 feet, so that they are smooth and perfectly sized. The measurements also improve the curb appeal of your home without being overstated or obvious.
Easier Care – Less joints mean there are less chances for debris to get hung on or get stuck within the gutters. Water drains through smoothly with fewer clogs. As a homeowner, this should make you very pleased, since it means you won’t be cleaning them out as often. Seamless gutters usually only need 1 yearly cleaning. In contrast, most regular rain gutter systems have to be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year to keep them working well.
Lower Chance of Leaks – Regular gutters can leak from any joint if the gutters start to pull away from the house. Loose fasteners are another problem that can lead to gutter leaks. Eliminating joints along the length and width of your home helps reduce the likelihood of leaks (which protects your windows, porches, and landscaping).
Prevent Pests – Buildup in your gutters will attract animals and insects that are able to hide within them or build nests 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 damage (at a minimum). Keeping that buildup out of your gutters makes them less attractive for pests.
Eliminates Waste – Measuring for seamless gutters and then building them on site ensures that your gutters will be the correct length without having additional pieces that were cut off to match the length of the house. This is an eco-friendly process that lowers 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 designed with the newest technology and the best materials on the market. This leads to fewer leaks, less chance of rusting and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the home. Longer lasting gutters can also protect your home, including the exterior 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 required to manufacturer them. Most homeowners don’t have own the equipment needed to produce seamless gutters, nor do they have the knowledge of how to program these machines to make precise cuts.
Seamless gutters do cost more, but once they are installed, you will quickly see their value which pays for itself due to less repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have any questions about the value of seamless rain gutters, talk with a gutter installer who offers 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 rain gutters is not a project that a single person can handle safely. Professionals can install a section up to about 30 feet or so by themselves, but anything longer requires a second person.
For gutters that are 35 feet or less, they will start in the middle and work their way to each end, securing the gutter every several feet. For gutters longer, the installation team will need to begin in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and fasten those sections 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 limit its effectiveness. Littleton Gutter Cleaning is proud to provide seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Littleton area. Call 720-463-8504 now for more information!