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SEAMLESS GUTTERS VS TRADITIONAL GUTTERS
Seamless gutters are generally stronger than traditional gutters because they feature continuous runs with seams only on the corners and downspouts, thus eliminating the majority of failure points. They are ideal for use with systems that often become clogged and aren’t immediately cleaned, such as those with overhanging trees. They are constructed of the same materials as traditional gutter systems, but instead of coming in small sections, an extruding machine creates perfectly-sized custom runs for your home.
Gutters play a pivotal role in keeping you, your family, and your home safe from the outside elements. When it comes to replacing your gutters, the first step is to understand what options you have. The two major types of gutters are traditional gutters and seamless gutters. Knowing the differences and the pros and cons of each can help ensure you make the best decision for you. Our gutter installation experts are going to compare traditional gutters vs. seamless gutters.
Traditional Gutters
Traditional gutters come in pre-cut sections. During the installation process, the pieces are connected to span the length of the area they need to cover. Since they are separate pieces, the connection points are where water can begin to leak and make it into the fascia or siding of the home. To prevent this leakage, those connections must be sealed or soldered. However, over time those seals may weaken or the solder may begin to crack. Once this happens immediate repairs need to be done to prevent damage to the home.
Traditional gutters come in a range of different materials like steel, copper, aluminum, and vinyl. While steel is the strongest option, depending on your situation copper, aluminum, or vinyl may be viable.
Pros:
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Multiple material options
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More cost effective than other options
Cons:
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More likely to leak and cause damage to the home
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Require more maintenance and can easily get clogged
Seamless Gutters
Seamless gutters don’t come in pre-cut sections. They are actually cut on site as a single piece to cover the entire required area. This is typically done by the gutter installer with a special machine that forms and cuts the gutter to an exact length. Because they are one solid piece, the only sections that have to be sealed or soldered are the end caps. This reduces the chance of leakage and can increase the lifespan of your gutters, soffit, fascia, and siding. While there is still a small chance for leakage, seamless gutters leak far less than traditional ones. Seamless gutters also tend to be stronger than traditional gutters. This makes them ideal for homes where traditional gutters get clogged easily.
Seamless gutters come in the same variety of materials that traditional gutters come in. Our gutter installation experts recommend using steel gutters because they are more durable and typically handle weather better than some of the other materials. Seamless gutters are more expensive than other types of gutters. However, because they are less likely to leak and stronger than traditional gutters the cost savings over time can be worth it. Perhaps one of the best features of seamless gutters is that they require less maintenance. You might still need to clean them once a year if you have trees near your roof, but overall they perform a lot better than traditional gutters.
Pros:
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Single section of gutter that requires less sealing
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Less likely to leak
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Multiple material options
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Less overall maintenance and longer lifespan
Cons:
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More expensive than traditional options
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Take longer to install
Maintenance
Traditional gutters
Traditional gutters need routine maintenance because they contain joints and seams between each piece and fasteners installed every three feet. Check joints on traditional gutters often because joints are vulnerable to acts of nature that cause clogs, gaps and sagging gutters, requiring frequent cleaning, refastening of hardware and resealing to maintain proper operation of gutters and downspouts.
When choosing hardware, know that the old school spike and ferrule systems (nails driven into cylinders) require refastening every season when they come loose and bend. For a stronger hold, consider using hidden hangers with screws containing two-inch threads rather than spikes and ferrules. Make sure to drive screws into rafters through fascia boards.
Seamless gutters
Seamless gutters require far less maintenance than traditional gutters since joints are only located at mitered corners and downspouts. This means mother nature is less likely to clog and weigh down gutters. When you have seamless gutters installed, check corners and downspouts for leaves and debris and scoop them up to avoid clogs and water backups. Consider adding gutter guards to keep debris to a minimum.
Design
Seamless gutters
Seamless gutters are designed to the exact length and specifications of rooflines onsite with a seamless gutter machine containing rollers and brakes that shape gutters that installers feed into the machine.
Traditional gutters
Traditional gutters are pre-cut into 10-foot sections with joints and seams although some may be longer. Having several joints and seams makes traditional gutters prone to leaks and clogs compared to seamless gutters. This means every 170 feet of gutter has 17 joints where problems can occur.
Styles
Gutters come in the following three styles:
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K-style: These gutters available for traditional and seamless gutters look like the letter “K” when viewed from the side. They contain decorative faces which resemble crown molding. Their flat-back design makes them easier to nail to fascia boards, but they’re harder to clean than half-round gutters.
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Half-round: This trough-shaped traditional gutter style used on homes prior to 1960 are prone to leaf and debris clogs. Half-rounds carry water well but brackets are required due to their curved sides.
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Fascia gutters: This sleek-designed gutter style used with seamless gutters comes in one long piece and aren’t available for traditional gutters.
Lifespan
The lifespan of gutters significantly depends on their material composition. Here’s a breakdown of the lifespan of gutters and downspouts based on material.
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Aluminum gutters: 20 years
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Galvanized steel gutters: 20 years
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Vinyl gutters: 25 years
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Copper gutters: 50+ years
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Zinc gutters: 80 years
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Downspouts: 30 years, but copper and zinc downspouts can last 100+ years.
The lifetime of your gutters also depends on the frequency of cleaning and maintenance and the climate conditions in your area. Severe weather can wear down and break gutters requiring replacement. Vinyl gutters tend to crack under extreme temperatures and exposure to strong winds.
Traditional gutters
Traditional gutters can last up to 20 years when they’re properly maintained and installed in mild weather areas which aren’t susceptible to extreme weather.
Seamless gutters
Seamless gutters can last 30 years or longer due to their thickness and construction, making them more durable than traditional gutter systems. Their longevity depends on the material of the gutter. Copper lasts the longest, aluminum around 20 years, and other materials fall somewhere in between.
Appearance
Traditional gutters
Traditional gutters can have an attractive visual appeal when properly maintained. But when maintenance is neglected, they can sag and pull away from the home which puts a damper on your curb appeal. Traditional gutters come in a variety of colors and styles to match the aesthetics of your home.
Seamless gutters