Either by design or accident, your gutters are part of the architecture of your home’s exterior. Gutters are functional, protecting the house from water damage, but they also play an integral role in the curb appeal of your property. Gutters can be beautiful to look at when they are selected to complement your home’s design features including the roof, siding, windows, and entry doors. Especially if you are living in your forever home or have no plans on moving anytime soon, there are some good reasons to install copper gutters.
Copper gutters look elegant.
Whether you choose the half-round profile of European gutters or the k-style profile of a regular copper gutter system, copper gutters look elegant. They seem to have instant curb appeal, and have been known to increase a home’s resale value. Since copper isn’t a common choice for residential gutters, it can give a home a unique sophistication as it ages, developing a rich patina over time.
Long lifespan makes copper gutters environmentally-friendly.
Copper gutters last longer than aluminum gutters or a gutter system made from other types of metals. A copper gutter system has a typical lifespan of 50 years, and can last for a century depending on how well the copper gutters and downspouts have been maintained. Its long lifespan means that copper is a stable material, making it environmentally-friendly. Most new copper gutter systems are manufactured from recycled copper and when the gutters are replaced, all parts can be recycled.
Physical properties of copper make it a great gutter material.
Copper has a low thermal coefficient, which means it doesn’t expand or contract like other metals. Because they won’t buckle or crack as a result of climate conditions, they don’t need to be installed with expansion joints, reducing gutter installation costs.
Copper doesn’t rust, pit, or corrode.
Copper is known to repel algae, fungi, marine life, and garden pests such as snails and slugs.
Copper gutter sections are soldered.
To install copper gutters, the sections are soldered together. Essentially this makes the gutter system seamless, eliminating the need for sealants that can become unsightly as the gutters age. Soldering joints like copper plumbing connections are make the gutters leak-proof.
A copper gutter system requires minimal upkeep.
Copper gutters and downspouts do need to be cleaned at least once a year. But because copper is such a durable gutter material, copper gutters don’t require frequent repairs such as resealing seams or section replacement due to corrosion.
