Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Rain gutters need to be replaced almost as often as the roof, so roughly every 20 years. This is a long time, but in the meantime, your rain gutters should do their job with very little effort on your part besides gutter cleaning and routine maintenance.
If you haven’t had to replace your gutters lately, it’s probably a good time to start considering the options. Odds are, your options have changed since you last shopped for gutters, either when building your home or the last time you had to replace them.
Styles and types of materials improve significantly over a period of just a few years. This means that your next gutters will be more efficient, lighter and offer better curb appeal than the current ones on your house.
Seamless gutters are one of the new options available.
What are Seamless Gutters?
One of the standout upgrades in rain gutters is the invention of seamless gutter systems.
Seamless gutters are installed in long sections, opposed to standard gutters which are only available in sections between 10 and 20 feet long. They are made on-site in many cases with a custom machine, eliminating the difficulties of transporting long, narrow materials.
Many gutter installation services own their own machinery and can complete the whole process – measure, manufacture and installing your seamless gutters – in less than one day!
Since they are manufactured to size, it is not uncommon to have seamless gutters that extend over 40 feet, with the maximum length of a seamless gutter around 100 feet without joints. This offers homeowners the option to have an individual piece of lightweight aluminum in any color they choose.
Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Traditional gutters have been used for so long that it can be hard to realize how another choice can be more effective. To decide if seamless gutters are a good choice for your home, you need know what sets them apart so you can also understand why there is such a noticeable price difference for them.
There are many benefits of seamless gutters over traditional gutter systems:
More Attractive – With joints only at the corners, seamless gutters have a sleek appearance. Seamless gutter fabrication machines even cut out holes for downspouts, which have to be present every 20 to 30 feet, so that they are smooth and perfectly sized. The custom measurements also increase the curb appeal of your home without being overstated or obvious.
Easier Care – Fewer joints mean there are fewer chances for debris to get hung on or get stuck within the rain gutters. Water drains through smoothly with less clogs from dirt and debris. As a homeowner, this should make you very pleased, as it means you won’t need to clean them out nearly as much. Seamless gutters only need 1 yearly cleaning. In comparison, most standard gutter systems have to be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year to keep them working well.
Lower Chance of Leaks – Normal gutters can leak at any joint if the gutters start pulling away from the house. Loose fasteners are also a problem that can result in gutter leaks. Getting rid of joints along the entire length and width of your home reduces the chance of leaks (which protects your windows, porches, and landscaping).
Prevent Pests – Clogged gutters will attract small animals and insects that can hide within them or build a nest with the debris that is present. From that point, insects, birds, squirrels and chipmunks have easy access to your attic and are able to damage your roof, causing hundreds of dollars’ worth of damage. Keeping that buildup out of your rain 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 perfect size without having additional pieces that were cut off to match the exact length of the home. This is an eco-friendly practice that lowers your home’s carbon footprint. Plus, there is no need to get rid of the excess or see it end up in a landfill.
Last Longer – Seamless gutters are built with the newest technology and the best materials on the market. This leads to less leaks, less chance of rusting and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the house. Longer lasting rain gutters also protect your house, including the walls, windows and the soil.
Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional
Seamless gutters typically need professional installation due to their size and the experience and machinery necessary to build them. Individuals don’t have have the machinery needed to make seamless gutters, nor do they have the knowledge of how to program these machines to make exact cuts.
Seamless gutters are more expensive, but once they are professionally installed, you will see their value which pays for itself because of fewer repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have questions concerning the value of seamless gutters, speak to a gutter installer who provides both standard and seamless gutter systems to determine if the price difference and benefits are a good fit for your budget and needs.
Installing these extra-long rain gutters is not a job that a single person can handle safely. Professionals can install a section up to about 35 feet or so by themselves, but anything longer will require a second person.
For gutters that are less than 35 feet, they will start in the middle and work their way to each end, fastening the gutter every few feet. For rain gutters longer, the installation team will need to start in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and secure those places due to the length and 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 easily damage a seamless gutter by handling it improperly. This can affect the gutter’s appearance as well as its effectiveness. Arlington Gutter Service is proud to provide seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Arlington area. Call 781-253-8836 now for more information!