Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Gutters have to be replaced almost as often as the roof, so somewhere around 20 years. This is a good long while, and 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 needed to replace your gutters recently, it’s probably about time to begin considering the options. Chances are, your options have changed a lot since the last time you shopped for new gutters, either when you built your house or the last time you replaced them.
Styles and types of materials improve significantly over a period of just a few years. This means your next gutters will be more efficient, lighter and offer better curb appeal 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 home gutters is the creation of seamless gutter systems.
Seamless gutters are installed in very long sections, as opposed to standard gutters that are only manufactured in sections between 10 and 20 feet long. 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 installing your seamless gutters – in only one day!
Because they are built to size, it is not uncommon to have seamless gutters that stretch over 50 feet, with the longest length of a seamless gutter around 100 feet without joints. This offers homeowners the choice to have an individual piece of lightweight aluminum in whatever color they choose.
Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Standard gutters have been used for so long that it might be difficult to believe how another choice can be much more effective. To determine if seamless gutters are a good choice for your home, you need understand what sets them apart 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 just at the corners, seamless gutters have a very sleek look. Seamless gutter fabrication machines cut out holes for gutter downspouts, which must be present every 20 to 30 feet, so that they are smooth and correctly sized. The measurements also increase the curb appeal of your home without being overstated or 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 more smoothly with less clogs from dirt and debris. As a homeowner, this should make you very pleased, since it means you don’t need to clean them out as much. Seamless gutters only need 1 yearly cleaning. In comparison, some regular gutter systems have to be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year in order to keep them functioning well.
Lower Chance of Leaks – Traditional gutters can leak at any joint once the gutters start pulling away from the house. Loose fasteners are another problem that can lead to gutter leaks. Eliminating joints along 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 small animals, rodents and insects that can hide inside of them or build a nest with the materials that are present. From that point, insects, birds, squirrels and chipmunks have easy access to your attic and are able to destroy your roof, resulting in hundreds of dollars’ of repairs (at a minimum). Keeping that buildup out of your gutters makes them less attractive for pests.
Eliminates Waste – Measuring for seamless gutters and then cutting them on site guarantees that your gutters will be the correct size without having additional pieces that were cut off to match the length of the house. This is an eco-friendly practice that reduces your home’s carbon footprint. In addition, there is no need to destroy the excess or see it end up in a landfill.
Last Longer – Seamless gutters are built with the newest technology and the best materials available. This leads to fewer leaks, less chance of rust and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the home. Longer lasting rain gutters can also protect your house, including the walls, windows and the soil.
Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional
Seamless gutters usually require professional installation due to their size and the experience and machinery required to manufacturer them. Most homeowners don’t have access t the machinery required to make seamless gutters, nor do they have the knowledge of how to program these machines to make precise cuts.
Seamless gutters are more expensive, but once they are professionally installed, you will understand their value which pays for itself because of fewer repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have any questions about the value of seamless gutters, speak to 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 these extra-long gutters is not a project that a homeowner can handle safely. Pros can install a section up to about 30 feet by themselves, but anything longer requires a second person.
For seamless gutters that are 35 feet or less, they will start in the middle and work their way to each end, attaching the gutter every several feet. For gutters that are longer, the installation team will need to start in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and fasten those sections 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. You can damage a long gutter by mishandling it. This can affect the gutter’s appearance as well as limit its effectiveness. Clean Home Gutters is proud to offer seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Minnetonka area. Call 612-429-3972 now for more information!