Which Gutters Are Right For Your Home?

The number one thing to consider when you are purchasing new gutters is, “Why?” This question will help to answer the questions you’ll have before purchasing your selection.

In our experience as a local gutter service, here are just three reasons homeowners might be in the market for new rain gutters:

An Upgrade – Installing new gutters can significantly affect the exterior style of your home, improving its look in a subtler way than painting or new landscaping.

A New House – Designing a new home comes with a lot of of choices about both appearance and functionality. Gutters are no exception. Deciding on the first gutters that go on your house is important because they should last approximately 15-20 years or more.

A Renovation – If your home’s roof has suffered damage, the gutters may have to be replaced. Or, they may simply be wearing down and need to be replaced with new ones.

You obviously know why you are installing new rain gutters, but the reason often has underlying motivations…

You want to sell your home.

You want to renovate without spending a lot of money.

Your landscaping is getting damaged by ineffective gutters.

Determining your “Why” will provide direction while you are shopping. You’ll know what features are worth spending your money on or if you can go with a less expensive product.

Here are the questions you’ll want to consider when it’s time to install new gutters.

HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?

The best part about installing new rain gutters is picking out the materials. Gutters will blend in or stand out against your house, depending on your preference.

These are the options for materials, in order of cost:

VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS

Vinyl and plastic are economical materials that hold up well in most scenarios, except in cold climates, where they can become brittle. Vinyl and plastic gutters are sufficient in most regions of the country, and they are available in a wide range of colors.

METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS

These reasonably priced materials are attractive and durable. Both materials are available in a wide range of colors too. They are fairly lightweight and are not difficult to install. Galvanized metals (coated with zinc to protect them) fend off rust and corrosion even better.

COPPER & STAINLESS STEEL GUTTERS

Of all the gutter materials, copper and stainless steel are the most expensive, but the most eye-catching as well. Homeowners in Jacksonville who purchase these materials are looking for an elegant touch, and that’s just what they’ll get!

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?

Most of the gutter materials above will offer these options:

SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS

Sectional gutters – These types of gutters are made in smaller sections, so they are easy to install. In fact, homeowners decide to install their own sectional gutters on their own. This type is the more affordable choice, and they are made with more seams, which means there are more areas where leaks are going to occur.

Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters should be installed by a contractor because they need special tools. They are more expensive to buy and to install, but less likely to leak than sectional gutters.

K-STYLE OR HALF-ROUND GUTTERS

K-Style – K-Style gutters are popular because they look excellent with virtually any style of home. They’re better for angled roofs, which are more common. This one of the reasons for their popularity. In addition, they are easy to install. Many homeowners are proficient enough to install their own K-Style gutters.

Half-Round – Half-Round gutters are traditionally made of copper and steel, and they are best for rounded roofs, popular before 1950, so they give homes a luxurious, established curb appeal. However, modern styles made out of vinyl and plastic offer the best of both worlds, being both lightweight and functional. Half-Round gutters are a lot harder to install, but easier to clean out, when it’s time for gutter cleaning.

DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?

The climate of your region will determine a lot about what gutters you should purchase. Like we already mentioned, certain materials don’t hold up well in extremely cold climates.

The most important climate factor to think about is how much work the gutters will need to do. Basically, how much rain or water are the gutters going to have to withstand?

Professional gutter contractors in Jacksonville are going to take several factors into account to get a good idea of the size and type of rain gutters that are going to work the best for your house.

WHAT IS THE FORMULA?

Luckily, the formula professional contractors use is no secret. Here are the pieces of specific information you will need to decide how large your gutters should be:

Average Rainfall – This weather statistic is available online on the National Weather Service or the U.S. Weather Bureau website. You should also find the maximum rainfall intensity for your area. This is the max amount of rain that occurs within a 5-minute span.

Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a basic length times width calculation for standard roofs. But, you will need to figure all the surfaces of multi-faceted roofs.

Roof-Pitch Factor – A roof that is steep will collect more wind-blown rain than a roof that is less sloped. Figuring out your roof-pitch factor will help you estimate how much rainfall will be collected, regardless of the average rainfall statistics found online.

DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?

Snowfall will be included in average precipitation calculations, but you also want to be aware of the potential for ice dams forming on your roof. If it snows regularly in your city, you should seek professional guidance concerning the type of gutters that best prevent ice dams from forming, which could severely damage your roof.

Of course, the final question is possibly the most important …

HOW TO INSTALL GUTTERS?

You also have to ask yourself if you’re going to do the work yourself, or if you are going to pay a professional to install your gutters. Professional installation ensures maximum efficiency, versus doing it yourself.

Most homeowners are better off paying a little extra for professional labor, knowing that the job will be done correctly. Another bonus of hiring JAX Gutters, Inc. to install your new gutters is that we are able to help you answer all of your questions about new gutters so that you find the best style and type.