If you are a homeowner living in the Pacific Northwest, exposed to elements such as rain and snow, then effective gutters are likely a top priority. Naturally, durability and the lifetime of your gutters is one of the biggest considerations in choosing the correct gutter type for your home. The crew at Rainman Seamless Gutters is here to explain how long seamless rain gutters last (as opposed to section gutters).
Section Gutters
Section Gutters are joined together in 10 or 20-foot sections, with multiple seams. Each section is linked together via connectors or couplings, and each section must be sealed/soldered at the joint with a roof and gutter sealant in order to prevent leaking or dripping. Gutter sealant will typically last around one to five years. Moreover, section gutters require frequent, regular maintenance, a process which entails re-patching, re-sealing and immediate cleaning of any blocked or overflowing gutters.
· Lifespan : A typical sectional gutter will only last around 20 years (assuming regular maintenance) and must be re-sealed every one to five years.
Seamless Gutters
Seamless gutters are also known as continuous gutters. Meaning, they only have joints or miters at the corners where they wrap around your roof, but they are manufactured from a single piece of material. Seamless gutters are usually made from aluminum, copper, painted steel, or zinc.
· Lifespan : Seamless/Continuous gutters last well over 20 years, even with such low maintenance.
The Bottom Line
Seamless Gutters are a long-lasting, less hassle and low maintenance option for your gutter system. In the long run, the benefits of seamless gutters will likely more than make up for the initial cost. Additionally, we, at Rainman Seamless Rain Gutters give you a lifetime warranty on the workmanship of your seamless rain gutters.
Installing rain gutters is a specialized service. The crew at Rainman Seamless Rain Guttersis here for you. Founded in 1992, our family-owned business employs a team of tradesman and experts who offer over 100 years of combined and accumulated experience, industry-knowledge, and local support. As lifelong residents of the Spokane area, we take pride in the service and products our team provides. If you have questions about gutters, we have the answers. Contact Rainman Seamless Rain Guttersfor more information.
Rain gutters can be an oft-ignored part of your home that can add function and flair to the overall aesthetic. Most importantly, rain gutters provide protection against the elements. At Rainman Seamless Gutters, we understand that it is your utmost priority as a homeowner to protect your home investment. Most experts agree that galvanized steel, or aluminum gutters are the most durable, however; it is important to have your home first assessed by a professional to determine your home’s structural needs and limitations and provide you with an appropriate recommendation based on their findings.
Galvanized Steel:
Galvanized steel is long-lasting (20-30 years lifespan or more) and more resistant to damage, and many experts agree is one of the best options for durability. Made of high-end metal, galvanized steel gutters can endure different weather and spend decades without damage. Galvanized steel is one of the heaviest materials for rain gutters, and for this reason, it’s typically not used for typical residential gutter installations. The steel rain gutter color options are a bit more limited, but with 20+ to choose from along with a metal fifnsh clear coat, they will still last 20+ years.
Aluminum:
Aluminum gutters are not only versatile, but they are also one of the most cost-conscious options available. Given it’s lightweight nature, aluminum gutters have a seamless and smooth installation process. Boasting 80 colors and different girths to choose from, aluminum offers vast customization options tailored to your home’s needs. These gutters can last for up to 20+ years with proper maintenance, but they can bend, dent and crack, particularly, with heavy rain and snow if not properly cleaned and maintained. The affordable pricing typically makes aluminum gutters one of the most popular choices among homeowners.
Installing rain gutters is a specialized service. The crew at Rainman Seamless Rain Gutters is here for you. Founded in 1992, our family-owned business employs a team of tradesmen and experts who offer over 100 years of combined and accumulated experience, industry-knowledge, and local support. As lifelong residents of the Spokane area, we take pride in the service and products our team provides. If you have questions about gutters, we have the answers. Contact Rainman Seamless Rain Gutters for more information.
Traditional Gutters & Seamless Gutters
Traditional gutters are popular for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) installation. These prefabricated gutters come in 10’-20’ long sections, attached together with connectors and caps, with droplet outlets intersecting with downspouts. In other words, traditional gutters come with pre-cut pieces that attach together in a sequence.
Seamless gutters, also called continuous gutters, are custom-made to fit the house. They are not DIY friendly like sectional gutters, so this will require an expert to make them onsite, typically using a portable rollforming machine, and professionally install them. As a result, they can be more costly than traditional gutters.
DIY Traditional Gutter Installation
A DIY gutter project may sound easy to you as a homeowner—simply nailing gutter sections to the fascia board of your home. Easy, right? While installing traditional gutters can be a DIY project, it requires a lot of planning and will require some additional investment on your end as a homeowner. You’ll need to sufficiently understand the following:
· The length of the gutter run and where the downspouts will be set.
· Where the water needs to flow to protect the house and property.
· How to inspect fascia and soffit for rot (removal and replacement may be necessary).
· The best gutter profile and material for your climate and situation.
· Where and how to install hangers along the roofline.
· How to use a hacksaw or tin snip to cut the lengths to size.
· How to notch the gutter.
· How to attach the gutter sections with hangers and screws or rivets.
· How to properly apply a sealant to seal the joints and connections.
· How to make repairs or replace gutter sections if they become damaged.
You are also urged as the homeowner to review any local building codes to make sure you’re in compliance. In short, you should have some basic knowledge of working with roofing materials and how the water can best flow away from your home. You may realize it takes more than just a hammer and nails to install traditional gutters.If you think you're getting over your head, Rainman Seamless Rain Guttersis here to help.
Pros and Cons of Traditional Gutters & Seamless Gutters
Pros
As mentioned, traditional gutters are common for DIY installation. They can be cut with a saw to fit any house. Also, they come in a variety of materials, including aluminum, vinyl, stainless steel, and copper—and are offered in a wide range of colors.
DIY kits are affordable and can be easy to install, depending on the gutter material and your skillset as a homeowner. The kits only come in half-round and K-style gutters, so homes built without fascia boards will require professional installation.
As it pertains to seamless gutters, because they are seamless, they are less likely to suffer leakage or storm damage. This means they can better protect the structure and property. Also, due to their durability, seamless gutters will outlast traditional gutters often by decades.
Cons
Wherever you have seams you’ll probably have leakage. Because traditional gutters are connected by joints, there will likely be more water leaking through. Also, debris is prone to get caught in the seams, which increases the likelihood of damage.
Traditional gutters require frequent maintenance with repairs and replacing damaged sections, as they don’t hold up as well in severe storms, they can separate at the seams. Traditional gutters last 10-15 years, compared to seamless gutters which can last anywhere from 25 to 100 years, depending on the material.
Aesthetically, traditional gutters are not as attractive as seamless gutters because they can sag at the seams, therefore lacking the sleekness of a seamless gutter. As mentioned, seamless gutters cost more. Remember that they can’t be purchased directly as they are custom-made and installed professionally.
source: Seamless Gutters vs. Traditional: What Your Customers Need to Know (newtechmachinery.com)
To prevent erosion of a home’s foundation, rain gutters are needed in most homes across the US to collect and carry away rainwater. Homeowners should look at high-quality rain gutters as an investment in protecting their home’s structure. Improper installation of gutters, however, can - and will - lead to costly mistakes. While many of us might enjoy the occasional Do-It-Yourself (DIY) home project, when it comes to gutter installation, it’s best to let the professionals tackle this one, and here’s why:
Important Factors to Consider:
The allure of DIY can be high when considering rain gutter installation, with saving a few dollars as the greatest incentive of all. But consider this: installing your gutters wrong could end up costing you far more money, time and resources in the long run.
Personal Safety.
Amateurs can cause accidents, and yet another costly mistake. Gutter installation will require working with heights, thus requiring proper safety protocol. A professional team will have the knowledge required upfront, to avoid the potential for accidents.
Materials.
The professionals have access to the highest quality materials meant to be durable and long-lasting. They can also help you find the right materials to meet your needs (even customizable).
Increased Efficiency & Experience.
The old saying, “you get what you pay for,” and holds true with gutter installation. Choosing to have a professional install your rain gutters will save you time and result in greater efficiency than the DIY method, as an expert team has the knowledge to determine the proper way to maximize your gutters efficiency by considering roof pitch, rain intensity, sizing, capacity, etc.
Your team of experts will have a broad knowledge base and understanding of the installation process, having been exposed to many types of clients and gutters. Your expert team will also carry insurance and warranty their work. As a DIY-er, if you make a mistake, you will then have to pay a professional to come in and fix your work - at your own time and expense, of course. Installing rain gutters is a specialized service.
The crew at Rainman Seamless Rain Gutters is here for you. Founded in 1992, our family-owned business employs a team of tradesman and experts who offer over 100 years of combined and accumulated experience, industry-knowledge, and local support. As lifelong residents of the Spokane and North Idaho area, we take pride in the service and products our team provides. If you have questions about gutters, we have the answers. Contact Rainman Seamless Rain Gutters
for more information.
Spokane - 509-536-4460
North Idaho - 208-712-3131