Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Rain gutters have to be replaced nearly as often as the roof, so somewhere around 20 years. This is a good long while, but in the meantime, your gutters need to do their job with little work on your part besides gutter cleaning and routine maintenance.
If you haven’t had to replace your gutters recently, it’s probably a good time to start looking at the options. Odds are, your options have changed since the last time you shopped for new gutters, either when building your home or the last time you replaced them.
Styles and types of materials improve significantly over a period of just a few years. This means your next gutters will be a lot more efficient, lighter and offer better curb appeal than the current ones on your house.
Seamless gutters are one of the new options available.
What are Seamless Gutters?
One of the standout improvements in residential gutters is the invention of seamless gutter systems.
Seamless gutters are installed in long sections, as opposed to standard gutters which only come in sections between 10 and 20 feet long. They are made on-site in most situations with a custom machine, removing the difficulties of transporting such long, narrow materials.
Many gutter installation businesses have their own machinery and are able to complete the entire process on their own – measure, manufacture and install your seamless gutters – in just one day!
Since they are built to size, it is not uncommon to have seamless gutters that stretch over 40 feet, with the longest length of a seamless rain gutter around 100 feet without joints. This offers homeowners the option to have an individual piece of lightweight aluminum in whatever color they choose.
Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Standard gutters have been used for so long that it can be difficult to believe how another option can be much more effective. To decide if seamless gutters are a good idea for your house, you will want to understand what sets them apart so you can understand why there is such a noticeable price difference for them.
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 appearance. 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 home without being overstated or obvious.
Easier Care – Less joints mean there are less chances for debris to cling on or get stuck within the rain gutters. Water drains through more smoothly with less clogs from dirt and debris. As a homeowner, this will likely make you extremely pleased, as it means you won’t be cleaning them out as much. Seamless gutters typically only need 1 yearly cleaning. In contrast, most standard gutter systems have to be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year to keep them functioning well.
Lower Chance of Leaks – Regular gutters can leak from any joint if the gutters start pulling away from the home. Loose fasteners are another problem that results in gutter leaks. Eliminating joints throughout the length and width of your house reduces the risk of leaks (which protects your windows, porches, and landscaping).
Discourages Pests – Clogged gutters will attract small animals and insects that will hide within them or build nests with the organic materials that are present. From there, insects, birds, squirrels and chipmunks have access to your attic and are able to damage your roof, causing hundreds of dollars of damage. Keeping that buildup out of rain gutters makes them less appealing for pests.
Eliminates Waste – Measuring for seamless gutters and then manufacturing them on site means that your gutters will be the correct length without having additional pieces that were cut off to match the length of the home. This is an eco-friendly process that lowers your home’s carbon footprint. Plus, there is no need to destroy the excess or see it end up in a landfill.
Longer Lifetime – Seamless gutters are designed with the latest technology and the best materials on the market. This leads to less leaks, less chance of rusting and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the home. Longer lasting rain gutters also protect your house, including the walls, windows and the soil below.
Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional
Seamless gutters typically require professional installation because of their size and the experience and machinery required to build them. Individuals don’t have to own the machinery needed to produce seamless gutters, nor do they have the knowledge of how to set up these machines to make precise cuts.
Seamless gutters do cost more, but once they are installed, you will immediately see 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, talk with a gutter installer who offers both standard and seamless gutter systems to decide if the price difference and benefits are worth it for your budget and needs.
Installing these extra-long gutters is not a job that a homeowner can handle safely. Pros can install a section up to about 35 feet on their own, but anything longer than that requires a second person.
For gutters that are 35 feet or less, they will start in the middle and work their way to each end, fastening the gutter every several feet. For gutters longer than that, the installation team will begin in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and attach those sections because of the length and the 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 damage a seamless gutter by mishandling it. This can affect the gutter’s appearance as well as its effectiveness. Spokane Valley Gutters is proud to offer seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Spokane Valley area. Call 509-260-7301 now for more information!