Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Gutters have to be replaced nearly as often as the roof, so somewhere around 20 years. This is a long time, but in the meantime, your rain gutters should do their job with little effort on your part besides gutter cleaning and annual maintenance.
If you haven’t needed to replace your gutters recently, it’s probably about time to start looking at the options. More than likely, your options have changed a lot since the last time you shopped for new gutters, either when you built your home or the last time you replaced them.
Styles and types of materials improve significantly over a period of only a few years. This means your next rain gutters will be more efficient, lighter and more attractive than the ones that are currently on your home.
Seamless gutters are one of the new options available.
What are Seamless Gutters?
One of the standout upgrades in home gutters is the invention of seamless gutter systems.
Seamless gutters are installed in very long sections, as opposed to traditional gutters which only come in sections between 10 and 20 feet long. They are made on-site in many situations with a custom machine, eliminating the difficulties of transporting such long, narrow items.
Most gutter installation companies have their own machinery and are able to complete the entire process – measure, manufacture and install your seamless gutters – in less than one day!
Because they are built to size, it is possible to have seamless gutters that extend over 40 feet, with the longest length of a seamless gutter at around 100 feet without joints. This gives homeowners the option to have a single piece of lightweight aluminum in any color they choose.
Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Standard gutters have been popular for so long that it can be difficult to see how another choice can be a lot more effective. To determine if seamless gutters are a smart choice for your house, you should understand 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 look. Seamless gutter fabrication machines cut out holes for downspouts, which should 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 means there are fewer opportunities for debris to get hung on or get stuck within the gutters. Water drains through more smoothly with less clogs. As a homeowner, this should make you very happy, because it means you won’t be cleaning them out nearly as much. Seamless gutters typically only need 1 annual cleaning. In comparison, some standard gutter systems have to be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year to keep them functioning well.
Lower Chance of Leaks – Normal gutters can leak at any joint if the gutters start to pull away from the home. Loose fasteners are also a problem that cause gutter leaks. Getting rid of joints throughout the length and width of your house reduces the chance of leaks (which protects your windows, porches, and landscaping).
Prevent Pests – Clogged gutters will attract animals, rodents and insects that are able to hide within them or build a nest with the organic materials that are present. From that point, insects, birds, squirrels and chipmunks have easy access to your attic and are able to damage your roof, resulting in hundreds of dollars’ worth of damage. Keeping that buildup out of your gutters makes them less appealing for pests.
Eliminates Waste – Measuring for seamless gutters and then manufacturing them on site means that your gutters will be the perfect size without having scrap pieces that were cut off to match the exact length of the house. This is an environmentally-friendly process that reduces your home’s carbon footprint. Plus, there is no need to eliminate the excess or see it end up in a landfill.
Longer Lifetime – Seamless gutters are designed with the latest technology and the best materials on the market. This creates fewer leaks, a smaller chance of rust and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the house. Longer lasting gutters also protect your home, including the walls, windows and the soil.
Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional
Seamless gutters typically need professional installation because of their size and the experience and equipment needed to manufacturer them. Most homeowners don’t have have the machinery required to produce seamless gutters, nor do they have the knowledge of how to program these machines to make precise cuts.
Seamless gutters do cost more, but once they are installed, you will understand their value which pays for itself due to less repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have questions about the value of seamless gutters, talk with a gutter installer who provides both standard and seamless gutter systems to determine if the cost difference and benefits are a good fit for your budget and needs.
Installing seamless gutters is not a job that a homeowner can handle safely. Pros can install a section up to about 35 feet on their own, but anything longer than that 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 few feet. For rain gutters that are longer, the installation team will start in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and attach those places because of 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. You can easily damage a seamless gutter by handling it improperly. This can affect the gutter’s appearance as well as its effectiveness. Rockford Gutter Service is proud to provide seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Rockford area. Call 815-281-5495 now for more information!