Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Rain gutters have to be replaced nearly as often as the roof on a home, so roughly every 20 years. This is a good long while, but in the meantime, your home’s gutters need to do their job with little effort on your part besides gutter cleaning and annual maintenance.
If you haven’t had to replace your gutters recently, it’s probably a good time to begin considering the options. More than likely, your options have changed since the last time you shopped for gutters, either when building your home or the last time you replaced them.
Styles and types of materials improve a lot 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 current ones on your home.
Seamless gutters are one of the newest options available.
What are Seamless Gutters?
One of the most revolutionary improvements in home gutters is the creation of seamless gutter systems.
Seamless gutters are installed in very long sections, as opposed to traditional gutters which are only sold in sections between 10 and 20 feet. They are made on-site in most situations with a special machine, eliminating the difficulties of transporting long, narrow materials.
Most gutter installation businesses have their own equipment and are able to do the entire process – measure, manufacture and install your seamless gutters – in just one day!
Since they are built to size, it is possible to have seamless gutters that stretch over 40 feet, with the longest length of a seamless rain gutter at 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
Traditional gutters have been popular for so long that it can be difficult to see how another option can be a lot more effective. To decide if seamless gutters are a smart choice for your house, you should know what sets them apart so you can also 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 only at the corners, seamless gutters have a very sleek appearance. Seamless gutter fabrication machines cut out holes for gutter downspouts, which must be present every 20 to 30 feet, so that they are smooth and correctly sized. The measurements also increase the curb appeal of your house without being overstated and obvious.
Easier Care – Less joints means there are fewer chances for debris to cling on or get stuck within the gutters. Water drains through more smoothly with less clogs. As a homeowner, this will likely make you very pleased, since it means you won’t need to clean them out as much. Seamless gutters usually only need 1 yearly cleaning. In contrast, some regular rain gutter systems must be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year to keep them working well.
Lower Chance of Leaks – Normal gutters can leak from any joint as soon as the gutters start pulling away from the home. Loose fasteners are also a problem that can result in gutter leaks. Eliminating joints across the length and width of your home 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 nests with the debris that is present. From that point, insects, birds, squirrels and chipmunks have easy access to your attic and will destroy your roof, resulting in hundreds of dollars’ worth of damage (at a minimum). Keeping that buildup out of your gutters makes them less attractive for pests.
Eliminates Waste – Measuring for seamless gutters and then manufacturing them on site means that your gutters will be the perfect size without having extra pieces that were cut off to match the length of the house. This is an environmentally-friendly process that lowers your home’s carbon footprint. In addition, there is no need to get rid of the excess (which can result in harmful chemicals) 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 creates fewer leaks, a smaller chance of rust and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the house. Longer lasting rain gutters also protect your home, including the exterior walls, windows and the soil below.
Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional
Seamless gutters usually require professional installation due to their size and the training and machinery necessary to build them. Individuals don’t have have the machinery needed to make 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 professionally installed, you will quickly understand their value which pays for itself due to 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 does both traditional and seamless gutter systems to determine if the price difference and benefits are worth it for your budget and needs.
Installing these extra-long rain gutters is not a task that a homeowner can handle safely. Professionals can install a section up to about 30 feet on their own, but anything longer than that will require a second person.
For gutters that are 35 feet or less, they will start in the middle and work their way to each end, attaching the gutter every several feet. For rain gutters longer, the installation team will start in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and fasten those places 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. Homeowners can damage a seamless gutter by handling it improperly. This can damage the gutter’s appearance as well as its effectiveness. Richmond Gutter Service is proud to offer seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Richmond area. Call 510-405-1659 now for more information!