Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Gutters have to be replaced almost as often as the roof, so roughly every 20 years. This is a long time, and in the meantime, your rain gutters should do their job with very little work on your part besides gutter cleaning and routine maintenance.
If you haven’t replaced your gutters recently, it’s probably a good time to start considering the options. More than likely, your options have changed a lot since you last shopped for gutters, either when building your home 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 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 improvements in home gutters is the creation of seamless gutter systems.
Seamless gutters are installed in long sections, as opposed to standard gutters that are only sold in sections between 10 and 20 feet. They are made on-site in many situations with a special machine, removing the difficulties of transporting such long, narrow materials.
Most gutter installation services own their own machinery and are able to do the whole process – measure, manufacture and installing your seamless gutters – in only one day!
Since they are manufactured to size, it is possible to have seamless gutters that stretch over 50 feet, with the maximum length of a seamless gutter at around 100 feet without joints. This gives homeowners the choice to have a single piece of lightweight aluminum in any color they choose.
Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Traditional gutters have been used for so long that it can be difficult to realize how another option can be much more effective. To determine if seamless gutters are a good choice for your home, you should know the benefits of them so you can also 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 just at the corners, seamless gutters have a very sleek look. Seamless gutter machines cut out holes for downspouts, which must be present every 20 to 30 feet, so they are smooth and perfectly sized. The custom measurements also help the curb appeal of your house without being too overstated and obvious.
Easier Care – Fewer joints mean there are less opportunities for debris to cling on or get stuck within the rain gutters. Water drains through more smoothly with fewer clogs from dirt and debris. As a homeowner, this will likely make you very happy, as it means you won’t need to clean them out as often. Seamless gutters only need 1 yearly cleaning. In comparison, most standard 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 at any joint as soon as the gutters start pulling away from the house. Loose fasteners are also a problem that can cause gutter leaks. Getting rid of joints throughout the entire length and width of your home helps reduce the chance of leaks (which protects your windows, porches, and landscaping).
Discourages Pests – Buildup in your gutters will attract small animals and insects that can 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, causing 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 building them on site ensures that your gutters will be the perfect size without having scrap pieces that were cut off to match the length of the house. This is an eco-friendly process that reduces your home’s carbon footprint. Also, there is no need to destroy the excess or see it end up in a landfill.
Longer Lifetime – Seamless gutters are made with the newest technology and the best materials on the market. This results in fewer leaks, less chance of rusting and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the home. Longer lasting gutters also protect your house, including the exterior walls, windows and the soil.
Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional
Seamless gutters usually need professional installation because of their size and the experience and equipment necessary to manufacturer them. Individuals don’t have the machinery needed to produce seamless gutters, nor do they have the training on how to set up these machines to make exact cuts.
Seamless gutters are more expensive, but once they are professionally installed, you will quickly understand their value which pays for itself over time via less repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have any questions about the value of seamless rain gutters, speak to a gutter installer who does both traditional and seamless gutter systems to decide if the cost difference and benefits are a good fit for your budget and needs.
Installing these extra-long gutters is not a task that a homeowner can handle safely. Professionals can install a section up to about 35 feet on their own, but anything longer will require a second person.
For seamless 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 longer, the installation team will start in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and attach 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. You can easily damage a seamless gutter by mishandling it. This can damage the gutter’s appearance as well as limit its effectiveness. Gresham Gutter Service is proud to provide seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Gresham area. Call 503-461-7271 now for more information!