When we think of gutters, we often visualize the universal disgust of cleaning them, followed by falling off the ladder. Thankfully, this doesn't always happen, but that is dependent on the gutters your house happens to use.
Gutters are important to the preservation and aesthetic of your home. But how do you know which ones to use for your house? What is the best gutter system to have for your home?
If these are questions that need answers for you, here are some of the best rain gutter options for your home.
The Different Types Of Gutters
There are several types of rain gutters that range in material composition and construction. Before choosing any gutters, you will want to assess the home and soffits for their installation.
This will answer questions of gutter size and thickness that can be supported by the soffits, and also aid in matching the aesthetic for your home.
Vinyl Gutters
Rain gutters made of vinyl are easily one of the most common types due to their installation ease and cost-effectiveness. They come in a wide range of gutter colors. In milder climates, they are as good as using other materials and are a DIYer's dream.
However, they have a reputation for becoming brittle and leaking over time due to weathering factors if not properly taken care of. So regular maintenance of vinyl gutters is extremely important.
Aluminum Gutters
These are also well known to be cost-effective rain gutters and are the preferred types over most other gutter compositions. They hold paint color better than their vinyl counterparts as well as keep their strength in cold weather.
Aluminum gutters only have the issue of denting and being misshapen by things that may warp them, like ladders and fallen debris.
Steel Gutters
There are several options in this category, including galvanized steel and stainless steel. Both offer better structural integrity than their cheaper counterparts. With galvanized steel, you run into the issue of rusting over time.
Stainless steel does not have this issue. Quite honestly, the stainless steel could be the best gutters to have because they check every box in the demands for rain gutters except for cost.
The cost is a bit steeper for the steel options. Galvanized steel will not be as expensive as their stainless steel counterparts, which can cost up to four times as much as aluminum or vinyl gutters.
Copper Gutters
Copper is the most expensive. Although they have a superb, upscale finish to make your home look exquisite they do carry a hefty price tag. If you are looking to spend extra money on the aesthetic though, this is the option for you.
Sectional And Seamless
This is important when choosing the best gutter system for your home. All gutters come in the sectional option, meaning they come in pieces and snap together.
Over time though, the gutters sag and lose their structural integrity in their joints, which leads to more maintenance costs. Seamless is custom made to fit perfectly to mitigate these issues.
As of now, only Aluminum gutters can come in the seamless option, which adds to their preference above the rest.
The Best Gutter System
When choosing the best gutter system for your soffits, it is important to take into account which ones work best for your home and their cost-effectiveness.
In most categories Aluminum is the best option, however, if you are willing to spend a bit more money, stainless steel is the way to go.
Whether you are a DIYer or one that likes upscale looks, there are gutters for all types. But they don't last forever, so it's time to check your soffits to upgrade those rain gutters.
For these and other great Soffit articles, visit Soffit.com.
