Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Rain gutters have to be replaced almost as often as the roof on a home, so somewhere around 20 years. This is a good long while, and in the meantime, your gutters need to do their job with very little effort on your part besides gutter cleaning and annual maintenance.
If you haven’t replaced your gutters recently, it’s probably about time to begin looking at the options. More than likely, your options have changed a lot since you last shopped for gutters, either when you built your house or the last time you replaced them.
Styles and types of materials improve drastically over a period of only a few years. This means that your next rain gutters will be even more efficient, lighter and more attractive than the ones that are currently on your house.
Seamless gutters are one of the newest options available.
What are Seamless Gutters?
One of the most revolutionary upgrades in residential gutters is the creation of seamless gutter systems.
Seamless gutters are installed in long sections, opposed to standard gutters which are only sold in sections between 10 and 20 feet. They are made on-site in most situations with a special machine, removing the difficulties of transporting such long, narrow materials.
Most gutter installation companies own their own equipment and are able to complete the entire process on their own – measure, manufacture and install your seamless gutters – in only one day!
Since they are built to size, it is possible to have seamless gutters that extend over 40 feet, with the maximum length of a seamless rain gutter around 100 feet with no joints. This gives homeowners the option to have an individual piece of lightweight aluminum in any color they choose.
Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Standard gutters have been used for so long that it can be difficult to realize how another option can be a lot more effective. To decide if seamless gutters are a good idea for your home, you will want to understand the benefits of them so you can understand why there is such a noticeable price difference between the two.
There are many benefits of seamless gutters over traditional gutter systems:
Better Curb Appeal – With joints just at the corners, seamless gutters have a noticeably sleek appearance. Seamless gutter machines even cut out holes for downspouts, which have to be present every 20 to 30 feet, so that they are smooth and correctly sized. The custom measurements also help the curb appeal of your house without being overstated or obvious.
Easier Care – Less joints mean there are fewer chances for debris to get hung on or get stuck within the rain gutters. Water drains through more smoothly with fewer clogs from dirt and debris. As a homeowner, this will likely make you very pleased, as it means you won’t be cleaning them out as much. Seamless gutters only need 1 yearly cleaning. In comparison, most traditional gutter systems must be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year in order to keep them functioning well.
Lower Chance of Leaks – Normal gutters can leak from any joint once the gutters start pulling away from the house. Loose fasteners are another problem that lead to gutter leaks. Getting rid of joints across the length and width of your house helps reduce the likelihood of leaks (which protects your windows, porches, and landscaping).
Prevent Pests – Buildup in your gutters will attract small animals, rodents and insects that will hide within them or build a nest with the organic materials that are present. From there, insects, birds, squirrels and chipmunks have easy access to your attic and can destroy your roof, leading to hundreds of dollars’ of repairs. Keeping that buildup out of gutters makes them less attractive for pests.
Eliminates Waste – Measuring for seamless gutters and then cutting them on site means that your gutters will be the correct length without having scrap pieces that were cut off to match the length of the home. This is an eco-friendly practice that reduces your home’s carbon footprint. Plus, there is no need to destroy the excess or see it end up in a landfill.
Last Longer – Seamless gutters are designed with the latest technology and the best materials available. This results in less leaks, less chance of rust and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the house. Longer lasting rain gutters can also protect your house, including the exterior walls, windows and the soil.
Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional
Seamless gutters typically need professional installation due to their size and the training and machinery needed to build them. Individuals don’t have own the equipment needed to produce seamless gutters, nor do they have the training on how to set up these machines to make precise cuts.
Seamless gutters do cost more, but once they are professionally installed, you will immediately understand their value which pays for itself over time via fewer repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have questions concerning the value of seamless rain gutters, talk with a gutter installer who provides both standard and seamless gutter systems to decide if the cost difference and benefits are worth it for your budget and needs.
Installing these extra-long rain gutters is not a task that a homeowner can handle safely. Pros can install a section up to about 35 feet on their own, but anything longer requires a second person.
For gutters that are less than 35 feet, they will start in the middle and work their way to each end, securing the gutter every several feet. For rain gutters that are longer than that, the installation team will begin in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and attach those sections due to the length and the 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. Homeowners can damage a seamless gutter by mishandling it. This can affect the gutter’s appearance as well as its effectiveness. Lawrence Gutter Cleaning is proud to provide seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Lawrence area. Call 617-917-2562 now for more information!