Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Rain gutters have to be replaced almost as often as the roof, so somewhere around 20 years. This is a long time, but in the meantime, your home’s gutters should do their job with little work on your part besides gutter cleaning and routine maintenance.
If you haven’t needed to replace your gutters lately, it’s probably a good time to begin looking at the options. Chances are, your options have changed since the last time you shopped for new gutters, either when you built your house or the last time you replaced them.
Styles and materials improve a lot over a period of only a few years. This means your next rain gutters will be a lot more efficient, lighter and more attractive than the current ones on your house.
Seamless gutters are one of the newest options available.
What are Seamless Gutters?
One of the major improvements in residential 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 special machine, eliminating the difficulties of transporting long, narrow materials.
Many gutter installation businesses own their own machinery and are able to do the whole process – measure, manufacture and install your seamless gutters – in less than one day!
Since they are built to size, it is possible to have seamless gutters that extend over 50 feet, with the maximum length of a seamless gutter around 100 feet with no joints. This offers homeowners the choice 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 might be difficult to realize how another option can be a lot more effective. To determine if seamless gutters are a smart idea for your house, you will want to 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:
Better Curb Appeal – With joints only at the corners, seamless gutters have a noticeably sleek look. Seamless gutter machines cut out holes for downspouts, which have to be present every 20 to 30 feet, so they are smooth and perfectly sized. The measurements also increase the curb appeal of your home without being overstated and obvious.
Easier Care – Fewer joints means there are fewer opportunities for debris to cling on or get stuck within the gutters. Water drains through smoothly with fewer clogs from dirt and debris. As a homeowner, this will likely make you very happy, because it means you won’t need to clean them out nearly as often. Seamless gutters usually only need 1 yearly cleaning. In comparison, most standard rain gutter systems have to be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year to keep them working well.
Lower Chance of Leaks – Regular gutters can leak at any joint once the gutters start pulling away from the home. Loose fasteners are another problem that can cause gutter leaks. Getting rid of joints along the length and width of your house reduces the likelihood of leaks (which protects your windows, porches, and landscaping).
Discourages Pests – Buildup in your gutters will attract animals, rodents and insects that are able to hide within them or build nests with the materials that are present. From that point, insects, birds, squirrels and chipmunks have easy access to your attic and will destroy your roof, leading to hundreds of dollars’ worth of damage. Keeping that buildup out of gutters makes them less appealing for pests.
Eliminates Waste – Measuring for seamless gutters and then cutting them on site ensures that your gutters will be the correct length without having extra pieces that were cut off to match the length of the house. This is an environmentally-friendly practice that reduces your home’s carbon footprint. In addition, there is no need to destroy the excess (which can result in harmful chemicals) or see it end up in a landfill.
Last Longer – Seamless gutters are designed with the newest technology and the best materials on the market. This results in less leaks, a smaller chance of rusting and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the home. Longer lasting rain gutters also protect your house, including the exterior walls, windows and the soil below.
Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional
Seamless gutters typically require professional installation due to their size and the experience and machinery needed to manufacturer them. Individuals don’t have have the equipment necessary to make seamless gutters, nor do they have the knowledge of how to program these machines to make precise cuts.
Seamless gutters do cost more, but once they are professionally installed, you will see their value which pays for itself because of less repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have questions concerning the value of seamless gutters, talk with a gutter installer who provides both standard and seamless gutter systems to decide if the price difference and benefits are a good fit for your budget and needs.
Installing seamless rain gutters is not a job that a single person 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 seamless gutters that are 35 feet or less, they will start in the middle and work their way to each end, fastening the gutter every few 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 affect the gutter’s appearance as well as limit its effectiveness. Germantown Gutters is proud to provide seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Germantown area. Call 301-701-4772 now for more information!