
There are four major types of residential gutters: steel, copper, vinyl, and aliminium. In this post, you will learn about each of them and their pros and cons.
Aluminium gutters
These are the most popular type of rain gutters. In fact, over 80% of gutters installed in homes across the country are made of aluminium. One of the good things about them is that they are cheap and easily available. They have excellent resistance to rust. When you purchase extruded aluminium gutters, no painting is necessary. Moreover, they come in vast color and have several finish options. However, they can be dented by a heavy load or ladder.
Usually, aluminium gutters are sold in different sizes. The 5 inch is the standard, but larger sizes can handle a lot of water and prevent overflowing. Thus, if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, you should consider large sizes. Also, their prices vary depending on the thickness. Thickness is an important consideration has it prevents warping caused by snow and ice.
Vinyl gutters
You should note that vinyl gutters have similar characteristics like aluminium. However, they are cheaper than aluminium. You will find them simple to install. This is because they are easy to cut and lightweight. Installation of these gutters takes less than as compared to aluminum gutters. Moreover, they have excellent resistance towards rust and dents. Also, you do not have to repaint them. Unfortunately, they are not durable, and excess heat makes them wrap.
Installing these gutters on your own is easy. In this case, you should purchase those that are pre-cut.
Steel gutters
These are also called galvanized steel gutters and are quite durable. They are ideal for homeowners that live in areas that are prone to storms. They are quite expensive. The majority of these gutters are formulated with chemical coatings to prevent rust. They resist all forms of damage. Remember that the tensile strength of steel is 50K PSI. You can find them in a variety of colors.
To install steel gutters, you need to hire experienced gutter installers. This is necessary to ensure the installation is done properly. Unfortunately, this plus the cost of purchase makes them quite expensive.
Copper gutters
These are designed increase value of your home and add curb appeal. These are most expensive of all the different gutter types. Some of the advantages of these gutters include durability, rust-resistant, and minimal maintenance.…