Seamless gutters are made from a number of different materials such as copper, aluminum, and stainless steel. Most seamless gutter systems, regardless of what they are made of, are more expensive than their traditional counterparts. Aluminum seamless gutters are popular because they do not deteriorate, don’t need painting, and are low maintenance. But are seamless gutters worth the money?
Seamless Gutters
Seamless gutters are fabricated from a metal coil, most commonly aluminum. They have seams only where gutter troughs are joined at the corners and to the downspouts. Since they are produced on site, they are usually installed by a professional gutter contractor, a contributing factor to why seamless gutters are more expensive than sectional gutters.
Sectional Gutters
In a traditional gutter system, gutters troughs, generally in lengths of 10 feet or 20 feet depending on the manufacturer, are cut as the installation requires, and then joined together. When the sealant of these joints becomes worn, leaks can form. Since standard gutters have more seams than seamless gutters, over a period of 15 to 20 years, a traditional gutter system can be more expensive to maintain.
Complex or Unique Roof Configuration
If a house has a complex or unique roof configuration, installing seamless aluminum gutters or seamless copper gutters can be very cost-effective. Because seamless gutters are installed on-site, a gutter contractor fabricates them to the exact measurements of the length of the roofline. Depending on the complexity of the roof, the sum price of custom-fitting sectional gutters could end up being comparable to or more expensive than the total cost of seamless gutters.
Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Homeowners who invest in seamless gutters say it is the benefits that make them worth the money.
Appearance: Lines are longer and cleaner-looking without the interruption of seams. The uncluttered, smooth appearance of seamless gutters increases curb appeal.
Low maintenance: Because there are fewer seams, a seamless gutter system is easier to clean and maintain. There are fewer joints or seams where debris can collect.
Fewer leaks: Absence of joints and seams that are vulnerable to the elements helps a gutter system to protect better and increases its longevity.
