Reasons to Choose Seamless Gutters – Family Roofing

Posted on by David Reid

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Reasons to Choose Seamless Gutters

Gutters may not be the most glamorous, or even the most expensive purchase you will make for your home, but they are certainly one of the most valuable when it comes to maintaining your property.  Good quality gutters not only improve the look of your property but they also protect your home from problems that may be far more expensive to deal with than keeping your gutters in good condition.  It’s not just your roof that is affected by your gutters, most basement water issues are gutter related and they also protect the sides of your home.

Even with good maintenance, you must replace gutters every 20 years or so with new gutters.  If you are replacing or installing gutters, one of the decisions you need to make is whether you choose traditional gutters, often referred to as sectional gutters, or seamless gutters.

What Are Seamless Gutters?

Both styles of gutter have their appeal.  Traditional gutters come in small sections that can be adapted to fit almost any home.  They are easy to get hold of, less expensive and relatively easy to install so a good choice if you are on a budget and want to install them yourselves or new to DIY.

Seamless gutters, on the other hand, are made in long sections that join only at the corners.  This means they are made to measure making them more expensive and more difficult to install.  They are often made using a machine that makes them on-site and installed by professionals.

Seams or joins might not seem like they would be an issue however each seam increases the possibility of leaks, cracks, clogs and other issues as the gutter material expands and contracts or debris accumulates in the gutter.

Seamless Gutters vs Traditional Gutters

When it comes time to make the decision here are a few benefits of seamless gutters and reasons why you may want to choose them over traditional gutters.

Seamless Gutters Look Better

There’s little argument that seamless gutters are more visually appealing.  Fewer seams or joins means fewer obvious brackets and a more streamlined and sophisticated look for your property.

Maintenance Levels

Seamless gutters generally last longer and require less maintenance than sectional gutters.  The lack of joins allows for a smoother flow of water and any debris.  This means less potential for clogging.  Gutters are designed to carry their own weight and an average amount of rainwater.  When bits of debris become trapped between joined sections, this soggy mess of decomposing organic material can weigh as much as an average size adult hanging on your gutters — day in, day out, until they are cleaned.  With fewer joints and no seams,  gutters have much less buildup and no sags, making them all the easier to maintain.

Less Chance of Leaks

If sectional gutters get clogged or when there is snow or ice the seams can pop causing leaks that can damage your home.  When a homeowner sees water spots on their ceiling they will often assume there is a hole somewhere in the roof.  But, the most likely culprit is a leaky or overflowing gutter dripping water through the eaves.  By going seamless, the risk of leaks forming is greatly reduced.

Less Chance of Pests

Because seamless gutters are less likely to get clogged up they not only require less maintenance but they are less likely to attract pests which can have major implications for your property.  A build-up of debris and standing water can attract all sorts of pests such as mosquitoes, rodents, birds and other insects which can damage your gutters and make their way into your property.

A Perfect Fit Every Time

Because every home is different seamless gutters have to be bespoke.  They are expertly crafted by professionals to be the perfect fit for your home, which not only makes them look better but means they perform better as well.

Stronger and Longer Lasting

Seamless gutters also tend to last longer than traditional gutters and come with longer warranties.  So although you may pay more upfront you can be safe in the knowledge that this is one job you won’t have to do again for a long time.  It is often the joints or seams where gutters end up leaking or being damaged and this can, in turn, lead to damage to your home, not just at the roofline and fascia but also at the basement and foundation level.  So maintenance is crucial or the costs of repair can add up really quickly.  Since seamless gutters are not saddling the weight of leaves, pine needles, and organic debris, there is less warpage, and that means a longer-lasting gutter system.

No seams, no snags

The key word with gutters is “flow.”  When leaves, twigs, and other bits of debris become snagged in the seams of traditional gutters, then they catch other pieces of debris until you have a full-stop dam in your gutters.  With seamless gutters, there are far fewer snag points.

Pros and Cons:

Here’s what we like about seamless gutters:

  • The one-piece gutters are less prone to leaking than their sectional gutter counterparts, although leaks are still possible around downspouts, corners and end caps when not fitted properly or with age.

  • They’re a perfect fit when properly measured.

  • You’ve got 12 to 24 colors to chooses from, so it’s easy to find one that complements your home.

  • Powder-coated gutters can be painted.

  • Aluminum, steel and copper are long-lasting choices compared to sectional vinyl gutters that warp and become brittle with age and weather.

Here are a few potential downsides:

  • The cost of material is higher than vinyl sectional gutters.

  • They are not DIY friendly since they require coils of material and a $10,000 extruding gutter machine.

  • If the gutter is damaged, the entire run must be replaced, not just the bad section.

Aluminum vs. Steel vs. Copper

Aluminum: the reason why over 80% of all seamless gutters are made of aluminum is because aluminum resists corrosion, is lightweight, durable, and available in many finish colors. It can also be easily painted.

Aluminum gutters typically last 20+ years in harsh, snowy climates, and 30 years in most other places.  The downside is that aluminum can dent and ding more easily than steel. And while aluminum is good looking, it doesn’t have the wow-factor of copper.

Steel: The two things steel has going for it is that it costs less than aluminum, and it doesn’t dent as easily.

Steel negatives include being heavier than aluminum, so there’s greater risk of gutters pulling off the house, especially when filled with wet leaves or ice.

When the coating is scratched deeply (normally G-90 steel is self-healing thanks to the layer of zinc) and bare steel is exposed, your steel gutters will begin to rust quickly. Coated steel gutters are a 12 to 20-year solution.

Copper: This material is a visually impressive upgrade and is typically reserved for homes with brick, stone or genuine wood siding.

Copper lasts 50-100 years, so its lifetime cost compared with aluminum and steel is competitive. Upfront cost is the biggest negative.

Also, keeping a shine on copper requires a semi-annual investment of time to polish it or money to hire someone to do it.

If not cleaned and polished, copper will develop patina that many homeowners find quite appealing.