![]() However, be sure that the gutter material is made from primary aluminum and not secondary aluminum, which is a recycled product and has a history of inconsistent thickness (and therefore strength). Aluminum does not rust or crack, and is therefore a popular choice. You can protect against this by periodically painting the inside of the gutter, but this adds to your load of home maintenance chores. Galvanized steel is strong and will usually last 30 years or more. Vinyl material is the least expensive, but vinyl becomes brittle in very cold weather and is much more likely to crack. In addition to the metal gutter materials discussed above, vinyl gutters are available. Most people will probably choose to use a contractor, and with seamless gutters you have a lot less hassle. ![]() If you have the skills required, and the time required, you can save some money over having a contractor install a system. You still have a variety of materials and finish colors from which to select, but you are on your own. If you want to undertake constructing the gutter system yourself, your only choice is sectional-type materials. Buy the heaviest material you can afford-it will last longer and resist damage better. This is a place where attempting to save money is usually a mistake. The stock materials from which the gutters are made vary in thickness from 0.019 inch to 0.032 inch. Each horizontal run of gutter is formed and cut to the exact length required for your installation, thereby minimizing the number of seams or joints. A wide variety of colors are available to match the paint, siding, brick, or stone color of your house. The gutter is shaped from a coil of aluminum, steel, or copper stock that has a baked or painted finish. Seamless gutters are formed, at your home, using a special seamless gutter machine. Seamless gutters are not totally seamless, but there are fewer seams that can create such leak points. Seamless gutters have been available for more than 40 years and are the most common items selected by homeowners today. Seamless gutters virtually eliminate this leakage problem. These joints may allow water to leak out of the gutter and drip down, possibly damaging the siding, splashing dirt onto the house, or eroding your yard. Seams are always possible leak points in a gutter system. Metal gutters were originally assembled from sections that were joined together with snap-in-place connectors. These include the gutter, end caps, corner pieces, drop fittings, downspouts, elbows, and various kinds of hangers and support systems. The overall design of a gutter system has a number of different parts. Seamless gutters made of aluminum are the most common today. Often the exterior face is painted, with a wide variety of colors available from which the customer may choose. Specialized materials include copper penny aluminum, Copper Plus (copper plated stainless steel), Galvalume (steel stock with a coating of aluminum and zinc), and lead-coated copper. The metal stock from which the gutter is formed can be aluminum, galvanized steel, copper, or one of these metals with a metal coating. Your gutter contractor will be able to recommend the size best suited to your local conditions. Sizes vary from 4 inches to 7 inches in width. They need to be sized for your “worst-case” downpour. Gutters are shaped to form a specified profile, often a U-Shape (half-round), or a modified rectangular trough which is referred to as K-Shape. ![]() Occasionally the system discharges into a cistern or reservoir to collect the rainwater for subsequent use. The water is then discharged on splash pads on the ground to direct the water away from the foundation. Downspouts are connected to the gutters and carry the water down to ground level. Rain gutters are open-topped troughs that are installed just below the eaves of your roof to collect and carry off rainwater. ![]() Arizona averages just over 7 inches of rain per year while Mobile, Alabama, averages 67 inches. Care, some basic knowledge, and a good contractor will help you make selections as to the type and size of rain gutters most appropriate for your house and locality. Rain gutters are a feature that virtually all houses share. Costs and Advantages of Seamless Gutters for Consumers ![]()
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