Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Rain gutters have to be replaced nearly as often as the roof, so roughly every 20 years. This is a long time, but in the meantime, your rain gutters should do their job with little work on your part besides gutter cleaning and annual maintenance.
If you haven’t had to replace your home’s gutters recently, it’s probably about time to start considering the options. More than likely, your options have changed a lot since the last time you shopped for new gutters, either when you built your home or the last time you replaced them.
Styles and types of materials improve a lot over a period of just a few years. This means your next rain gutters will be even more efficient, lighter and offer better curb appeal than the ones that are currently on your home.
Seamless gutters are one of the new options available.
What are Seamless Gutters?
One of the standout improvements in home gutters is the creation of seamless gutter systems.
Seamless gutters are installed in very long sections, opposed to traditional gutters that only come in sections between 10 and 20 feet long. They are made on-site in many situations with a custom machine, removing the difficulties of transporting long, narrow items.
Many gutter installation services own their own machinery and can do the whole process – measure, manufacture and install your seamless gutters – in just one day!
Because they are built to size, it is not uncommon to have seamless gutters that stretch over 50 feet, with the longest length of a seamless rain gutter at around 100 feet with no joints. This offers homeowners the choice to have a single piece of lightweight aluminum in whatever color they choose.
Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Standard gutters have been popular for so long that it might be hard to realize how another option can be much more effective. To determine if seamless gutters are a smart idea for your house, you should understand what sets them apart 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 only at the corners, seamless gutters have a sleek appearance. Seamless gutter machines cut out holes for downspouts, which should be present every 20 to 30 feet, so they are smooth and correctly sized. The measurements also increase the curb appeal of your home without being too overstated and obvious.
Easier Care – Fewer joints mean there are fewer chances for debris to get hung on or get stuck within the rain gutters. Water flows through more smoothly with fewer clogs from dirt and debris. As a homeowner, this should make you extremely happy, since it means you won’t need to clean them out as often. Seamless gutters only need 1 yearly cleaning. In comparison, most traditional rain gutter systems have to be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year in order to keep them working well.
Lower Chance of Leaks – Standard 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 cause gutter leaks. Eliminating joints throughout the entire length and width of your home helps reduce the likelihood of leaks (which protects your windows, porches, and landscaping).
Prevent Pests – Buildup in your gutters will attract animals, rodents and insects that are able to hide inside of them or build nests with the organic materials that are present. From there, insects, birds, squirrels and chipmunks have easy access to your attic and will damage your roof, resulting in hundreds of dollars worth of repairs. Keeping that buildup out of your rain gutters makes them less attractive for pests.
Eliminates Waste – Measuring for seamless gutters and then manufacturing them on site ensures that your gutters will be the perfect length without having extra pieces that were cut off to match the exact length of the house. This is an eco-friendly practice that reduces your home’s carbon footprint. In addition, there is no need to get rid of the excess or see it end up in a landfill.
Longer Lifetime – Seamless gutters are made with the newest technology and the best materials available. This creates fewer leaks, a smaller chance of rust and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the house. Longer lasting rain gutters can also protect your house, including the walls, windows and surrounding soil.
Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional
Seamless gutters typically require professional installation because of their size and the training and machinery needed to manufacturer them. Individuals don’t have to own the equipment required to make seamless gutters, nor do they have the knowledge of how to set up these machines to make exact cuts.
Seamless gutters are more expensive, but once they are professionally installed, you will understand their value which pays for itself over time via less repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have questions about the value of seamless rain gutters, speak to a gutter installer who provides both standard and seamless gutter systems to determine 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 or so on their own, but anything longer 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, securing the gutter every few feet. For rain gutters any longer, the installation team will need to start in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and secure 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 easily damage a long gutter by handling it improperly. This can affect the gutter’s appearance as well as limit its effectiveness. Arlington Gutters is proud to provide seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Arlington area. Call 703-372-9226 now for more information!