Seamless gutters are an effective and affordable choice for homeowners in the market for a new gutter system. They are more aesthetically pleasing than standard sectional gutters because they have fewer seams and give a home’s exterior a smooth, sleek appearance. Before choosing seamless gutters, consider all of the available options so that you get the perfect gutter system that suits your home.
Size of Seamless Gutters
To determine what size of gutters a home requires, consider the average annual rainfall for your area; the complexity or configuration (e.g. multiple rooflines); the type of roof (low or steep slope); and the size of the house. The roofing systems of most residential buildings include 5-inch gutters. However, in recent years the popularity of 6-inch gutters and 7-inch gutters is increasing as more homeowners seek better protection from water damage. With fewer gutter sections and seams, oversized seamless gutters unify a home’s exterior and can be easily integrated with 5-inch gutters in parts of the roof where larger gutters aren’t needed.
Colour of Seamless Gutters
Seamless aluminum gutters come in a variety of colours that can be matched to exterior finishing elements such as the roof, siding, and trim. Seamless galvanized gutters and galvalume gutters are also available in a limited number of different color choices. If you want to the gutters to stand out or to be the color accent for a home’s exterior that is comprised of mostly neutral tones, select a bright shade. However, when you would like the gutters to blend in, choose a color that matches, for example, the roof or the siding.
Seamless Gutter Styles
Seamless gutters are available in the same styles as sectional gutters. The two most popular gutter styles for residential homes are k-style and half-round. If you’re a homeowner that appreciates something a little different, explore your options – there are manufacturers that offer styles and profiles unique to their brand, and gutter installation companies that design custom gutter systems.
Seamless Gutter Materials
Seamless gutters are manufactured from aluminum, copper, and steel. Gutter materials such as copper, galvanized steel, and galvalume are typically more expensive than aluminum. Choose a gutter material that will enhance the architectural features of your home while adding character and personality.
Aluminum: Aluminum is a common gutter material for residential buildings because it is rust-resistant, lightweight, and long-lasting. Of all of the other metal gutter material options, aluminum is the most cost-effective.
Copper: Copper gutters are visually stunning and have bee know to last 100 years or more. They are often selected for high-end homes and historic houses. They are also chosen for the patina a copper gutter system develops over time – as copper interacts with the elements, they change colour, any shade from grey-green to green-blue depending on how much moisture, salt, etc. is in the air.
Galvalume: Galvalume gutters are made of steel with an alloy coating composed of aluminum and zinc. With regular maintenance, seamless galvalume gutters have a lifespan of 40 to 50 years. As a gutter material galvalume is corrosion resistant, strong, and durable.
Galvanized steel: Galvanized steel, unlike galvalume, is coated only in zinc and is shinier. Its lifespan is anywhere from 20 to 30 years depending on climatic conditions, because once rusting begins, it can’t be stopped or contained. However, as a gutter material, it is versatile, complementing architectural styles from rustic to contemporary to ultra-modern.
