Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Rain gutters should be replaced nearly as often as the roof, so roughly every 20 years. This is a long time, but in the meantime, your rain 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 home’s gutters recently, it’s probably about time to start 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 had to replace them.
Styles and materials improve significantly over a period of only a few years. This means that your next rain gutters will be a lot more efficient, lighter and offer better curb appeal than the current ones on your house.
Seamless gutters are one of the newest options available.
What are Seamless Gutters?
One of the biggest improvements in home gutters is the invention of seamless gutter systems.
Seamless gutters are installed in long sections, as opposed to standard gutters which are only manufactured in sections between 10 and 20 feet. They are made on-site in most situations with a custom machine, removing the difficulties of transporting long, narrow materials.
Most gutter installation companies own their own machinery and can complete the whole process – measure, manufacture and installing your seamless gutters – in less than one day!
Because they are built to size, it is not uncommon to have seamless gutters that stretch over 50 feet, with the maximum length of a seamless gutter around 100 feet with no joints. This offers homeowners the choice 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 might be hard to believe how another option can be a lot more effective. To decide if seamless gutters are a smart idea for your home, you should know the benefits of them so you can 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 machines cut out holes for gutter downspouts, which must be present every 20 to 30 feet, so they are smooth and perfectly sized. The measurements also increase the curb appeal of your house without being overstated and obvious.
Easier Care – Fewer joints means there are less opportunities for debris to get hung on or get stuck within the gutters. Water drains through smoothly with fewer clogs from dirt and debris. As a homeowner, this should make you very happy, since it means you won’t be cleaning them out nearly as often. Seamless gutters only need 1 yearly cleaning. In comparison, some regular gutter systems have to be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year to keep them functioning well.
Lower Chance of Leaks – Traditional gutters can leak at any joint if the gutters start pulling away from the home. Loose fasteners are also a problem that cause gutter leaks. Eliminating joints across the length and width of your house reduces the risk of leaks (which protects your windows, porches, and landscaping).
Prevent Pests – Clogged gutters will attract animals, rodents and insects that can hide within them or build nests with the debris that is present. From there, insects, birds, squirrels and chipmunks have access to your attic and can damage your roof, resulting in hundreds of dollars’ worth of repairs. Keeping that buildup out of rain gutters makes them less attractive for pests.
Eliminates Waste – Measuring for seamless gutters and then manufacturing them on site guarantees that your gutters will be the perfect length without having extra pieces that were cut off to match the exact length of the home. This is an environmentally-friendly practice that lowers your home’s carbon footprint. Plus, there is no need to destroy the excess (which can result in harmful chemicals) or see it end up in a landfill.
Last Longer – Seamless gutters are built 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 gutters also protect your home, including the exterior walls, windows and surrounding soil.
Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional
Seamless gutters typically need professional installation because of their size and the experience and equipment necessary to manufacturer them. Individuals don’t have access t the equipment needed to make seamless gutters, nor do they have the knowledge of how to set up these machines to make exact cuts.
Seamless gutters are more expensive, but once they are professionally installed, you will immediately see their value which pays for itself over time via fewer repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have any questions concerning the value of seamless rain gutters, talk with a gutter installer who does both standard and seamless gutter systems to determine if the cost difference and benefits are worth it for your budget and needs.
Installing seamless gutters is not a job that a single person can handle safely. Professionals can install a section up to about 35 feet by themselves, but anything longer will require a second person.
For seamless 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 gutters longer, the installation team will need to begin in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and attach those places 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. You can easily damage a seamless gutter by handling it improperly. This can damage the gutter’s appearance as well as limit its effectiveness. Boise Gutters & More! is proud to offer seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Boise area. Call 208-218-8337 now for more information!