Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Rain gutters should be replaced about as often as the roof, so roughly every 20 years. This is a good long while, and in the meantime, your home’s gutters should do their job with very little effort on your part besides gutter cleaning and routine maintenance.
If you haven’t replaced your home’s gutters lately, it’s probably about time to begin considering the options. More than likely, your options have changed since you last shopped for new gutters, either when building your home or the last time you replaced them.
Styles and materials improve drastically over a period of only a few years. This means your next gutters will be even more efficient, lighter and offer better curb appeal than the ones that are currently on your house.
Seamless gutters are one of the newest options available.
What are Seamless Gutters?
One of the biggest upgrades in rain gutters is the invention of seamless gutter systems.
Seamless gutters are installed in very long sections, opposed to standard gutters which are only sold in sections between 10 and 20 feet. They are made on-site in many situations with a custom machine, eliminating the difficulties of transporting such long, narrow materials.
Many gutter installation businesses own their own equipment and are able to do the entire process on their own – measure, manufacture and install your seamless gutters – in only one day!
Because they are manufactured to size, it is possible to have seamless gutters that extend over 40 feet, with the longest length of a seamless rain gutter at around 100 feet with no joints. This gives homeowners the option to have a single piece of lightweight aluminum in whatever color they choose.
Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Traditional gutters have been used for so long that it might be hard to realize how another choice can be more effective. To determine if seamless gutters are a smart choice for your house, you need understand the benefits of them so you can understand why there is a noticeable price difference between the two.
There are many benefits of seamless gutters over traditional gutter systems:
More Attractive – With joints just at the corners, seamless gutters have a sleek appearance. Seamless gutter machines even cut out holes for gutter downspouts, which should be present every 20 to 30 feet, so they are smooth and correctly sized. The measurements also help the curb appeal of your home without being too overstated or obvious.
Easier Care – Less joints means there are less chances for debris to cling on or get stuck within the gutters. Water flows through more smoothly with fewer clogs. As a homeowner, this should make you extremely happy, since it means you don’t need to clean them out nearly as much. Seamless gutters typically only need 1 yearly cleaning. In comparison, most standard rain gutter systems must be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year to keep them functioning well.
Lower Chance of Leaks – Traditional gutters can leak at any joint if the gutters start pulling away from the home. Loose fasteners are also a problem that result in gutter leaks. Getting rid of joints throughout the length and width of your house reduces the risk of leaks (which protects your windows, porches, and landscaping).
Prevent Pests – Clogged gutters will attract small animals and insects that can hide inside of them or build a nest with the debris that is present. From that point, insects, birds, squirrels and chipmunks have easy access to your attic and will damage your roof, leading to hundreds of dollars’ worth of repairs (at a minimum). Keeping that buildup out of your rain gutters makes them less appealing for pests.
Eliminates Waste – Measuring for seamless gutters and then cutting them on site guarantees that your gutters will be the perfect size without having additional pieces that were cut off to match the exact length of the home. This is an eco-friendly process that reduces your home’s carbon footprint. Also, there is no need to get rid of the excess or see it end up in a landfill.
Last Longer – Seamless gutters are built with the latest technology and the best materials on the market. This results in less leaks, less chance of rust and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the house. Longer lasting gutters can also protect your home, including the exterior walls, windows and surrounding soil below.
Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional
Seamless gutters typically require professional installation because of their size and the training and machinery required to manufacturer them. Individuals don’t have have the machinery necessary to produce seamless gutters, nor do they have the training on how to program 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 because of fewer repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have any questions concerning the value of seamless rain gutters, talk with a gutter installer who does both traditional and seamless gutter systems to determine if the price difference and benefits are a good fit for your budget and needs.
Installing seamless gutters is not a job that a homeowner can handle safely. Professionals can install a section up to about 35 feet by themselves, but anything longer than that will require a second person.
For seamless gutters that are less than 35 feet, they will start in the middle and work their way to each end, fastening the gutter every several feet. For gutters that are longer, the installation team will need to begin in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and attach those sections due to the length and 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 handling it improperly. This can damage the gutter’s appearance as well as its effectiveness. Lafayette Gutters Unlimited is proud to provide seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Lafayette area. Call 765-217-4378 now for more information!