WHY SEAMLESS GUTTERS? – FAMILY ROOFING

Posted on by David Reid

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WHY SEAMLESS GUTTERS?

Are your gutters overflowing?  Starting to sag?  Constantly requiring re-sealing?  Chances are you have standard sectional gutters and that it’s time for a change. Seamless gutters are low maintenance, custom-made for your home and aesthetically appealing. With increased resistance to leaks and damage, they’ll get your mind out of the gutter for 20 years or more.

What are Seamless Gutters?

Seamless gutters are seamless.  Also known as continuous gutters, seamless gutters are manufactured from a single piece of material.  They have not been partitioned into sections and, therefore, do not require any sealing at the joints or seams.  This makes them long-lasting, leak-resistant and low maintenance compared to regular gutters.  Seamless gutters come in a variety of standard gutter materials, including aluminum, steel and copper.

Seamless gutters are a type of gutter that professional installers cut on-site to match the exact specifications of a building.  As a result, they are completely seamless.  The simpler design makes them less prone to leaks and clogs, and the smooth finish provides better curb appeal.

Homeowners who choose seamless gutters will pay more up-front than they would for regular gutters.  However, they get a more reliable product that can last for decades.

What are Sectional Gutters?

Sectional gutters are manufactured in short, pre-cut sections that are then assembled together to form one long gutter.  The joints between each section must be sealed with roof and gutter sealant in order to prevent leaking or dripping.  Gutter sealant will typically last around one to five years.  In addition, sectional gutters must be frequently maintained, a process which entails re-patching, re-sealing and immediate cleaning of any blocked or overflowing gutters.  All regular gutters can be also made from standard gutter materials.

Seamless Gutters vs. Regular Gutters: The Pros and Cons

Why bother going seamless?  There are several reasons to choose seamless gutters over regular gutters for your home.  Especially, in the long run, the benefits of having seamless gutters outweigh any disadvantages.

Pros

  • Low maintenance: Without any joints or seams to trap debris, seamless gutters are less prone to backups or clogs and do not need regular cleaning. Adding leaf guards to your gutters reduces the likelihood of blockages even more. This also means less professional maintenance overall than would be required for a sectional gutter.

  • Less prone to leaks and damage: No joints in your seamless gutters means fewer leaks, no need to frequently maintain and replace sealant and better protection against water damage for your home overall.  Since joints are also the “weak points” of a gutter system, seamless gutters will almost never sag or pull away from your house, especially when properly maintained.

  • Longer lifespan: Seamless gutters can easily last over 20 years, even with low maintenance.  A typical sectional gutter will only last around 20 years (assuming regular maintenance) and must be re-sealed every one to five years.

  •  Increases curb appeal: Adding a seamless gutter to your home can make it look very aesthetically pleasing.  With no joints, the smooth, finished appearance of a seamless gutter that has been perfectly customized for your home brings a sophisticated touch that regular gutters can’t beat.  Nor will you have to worry about unsightly sagging, leaking or overflowing gutters.  Seamless gutters come in a variety of design options, so you can achieve that perfectly unified look for your entire home.

Cons

  • Seamless gutters are more expensive up-front.  Due to the extra labor costs associated with cutting your gutters to custom-fit your home, seamless gutters cost more than regular gutters.  However, seamless gutters last longer and require lower maintenance, it’s entirely likely you’ll pay less in the long run.

  • Seamless gutters must be professionally cut.  When seamless gutters are installed, they must be formed and cut on-site in order to fit perfectly in your home. This requires a professional-grade machine, which only a contractor will have easy access to.  Regular gutters can be bought at a home improvement store and installed DIY if you take the appropriate safety precautions, though it is not recommended due to the numerous risk factors (falling, etc.).

  • Any repairs or replacements will involve the entire gutter.  With a seamless gutter, you cannot isolate a single section for repairs or a replacement like you can on a regular gutter.  Instead, you must deal with the entire length of the gutter at once, which—especially if you live in a storm-prone area—can be a significant and expensive hassle.

Designs

Seamless gutters come in a variety of materials and shapes.  Almost any design option you can get with regular gutters, you can also find with seamless gutters. K-style and half-round gutters are the most popular base shape, with extra customizations available—like a crown mold or colonial style—for the outward facing side.  Aluminum, zinc, steel and copper are the typical materials used for making seamless gutters, with aluminum as the most popular.  Aluminum is also easy to paint, and it is usually easy to find a gutter color that will match your home.  On the other hand, a staple material of sectional gutters—vinyl—is not a common material for seamless gutters due to its lower quality, and may not even be offered by your contractor.

Seamless Gutter Designs

Seamless rain gutters are available in various styles and can be color-matched to your home.  You can even customize your gutters with decorative elements, such as crown molding, on the exterior-facing side. Homeowners can choose from the following designs:

  • Box

  • Decorative

  • Fascia

  • Flat-angle, or F-style

  • Half-round

  • K-style, or ogee

  • Quarter-round

  • Radius

Your options may be limited depending on the contractor that installs your seamless gutters.  Not all companies offer every style.  Similarly, the style you prefer may only be available in certain materials.

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a long-lasting, hassle-free and low maintenance option for your gutter system that also adds to the overall curb appeal of your home, then seamless gutters are the right choice for you.  Though expensive to purchase and install, in the long run, the benefits of seamless gutters will likely more than make up for the initial cost.