As a homeowner, or basically anyone who has some kind of storage unit or small building on the property, you have to take many things into consideration. Maintaining can be hard because many things can go wrong.
This is why paying close attention to everything goes a long way. One of the most important things on any house or building is the gutter system. If you have problems with your gutters, want to purchase new ones, or are building a new house and new your first set, you came to the right place.
Worn-out gutters can be a major headache and water damage during the rainy and snow season can really put your house in a bad spot, making the gutter problem the least of your worries.
What can be done?
Gutters, like any other thing you need for a house, come in tons of different sizes, shapes, materials, configurations, and designs. Trying to get everything done yourself is sure to give you a headache, and you may even end up not choosing the best design. The best thing you can do is to consult roofing experts at Mighty Dog Roofing Huber Heights or reach out to other homeowners who have recently installed new gutters and learn from their experiences.
Even better, you can always seek out professional advice from gutter experts, either in their hardware stores or online. By doing this, you will finally be available to understand what works best for your home and what you should stay away from. If you do not have that sort of time, below are some of the best gutter types to choose from. Read through them to learn more.
1. Vinyl Gutters
First of all, we have vinyl as your material choice. Over the past years, vinyl gutters have become extremely popular around the world for multiple reasons. Their benefits range from affordability and the ease of installation to the fact that they are completely resistant to rust, which you want in anything that deals with water so much. Since the pieces are lightweight, they make it easier for homeowners to install them on their own are not heavy on the house frame.
Not everything is peachy, however. The one problem is that vinyl gutters are not the best for colder climates and could end up cracking over time during extremely low temperatures. If they are not installed properly, you might experience water pooling in certain sections, which leads to other problems.
2. Aluminum Gutters
Aluminum gutters are another popular choice and you have probably seen many around your neighborhood. Like vinyl designs, they are both lightweight and rustproof. Furthermore, if you are a big fan of “do it yourself” projects, you can easily install them yourself as they will not give you any headaches during the installation process. In addition, these types of gutters are specifically designed to withstand the cold weather and can be painted to match the look of your home. They also come in many seamless designs. Therefore, if you live in cold areas, you might want to go with these instead of vinyls.
However, it is important to note that aluminum gutters can easily get dented or bent when accidentally stepped on, or if something hits them during a heavier storm. If you decided to purchase these gutters, ensure that they are made from primary aluminum, which features a higher quality and offers unmatched sturdiness. Aluminum gutters are available in various gauge sizes including o.32, 0.27, and less. If you reside in a heavy snow region, it is better to go for the 0.32 size.
3. Stainless Steel Gutters
These gutters are absolutely the sturdiest and strongest on the list, but they also usually come with a significantly higher tag. However, the good news is that they will not rust at all and you will be set for life. If you have some extra cash to spend on your home or renovation, this could be a smart and long-lasting investment that generations will enjoy.
4. Copper and Wood Gutters
Last but not least, we have the copper and wood gutters, bot a more and less traditional approach depending on what you need. These gutters are commonly utilized by architectural purists who have the financial ability to preserve the standard look of wooden elements on their property. For instance, if you are dealing with a valuable historic house and want to stay true to the overall design, you would want to choose either wood or copper gutters.
This will take a huge financial investment though because both materials deal poorly with lots of water and require immense amounts of maintenance. If you live in drier areas where there is absolutely no snow and little rain during the year, they can be a good option. Still, they will always be pricey.
The Bottom Line
The current market is flooded with numerous gutter designs and it can be hard for you to choose the right one. They are available in different materials, shapes and styles, and not all of them will fit on your house. Whether you are fond of copper, vinyl, aluminum, stainless steel, galvanized steel, or wood, there is always something for everyone here and you will not be left emptyhanded.
It all comes down to the location and size of your home, and how much you are willing to spend on this element of the house. Carefully evaluate your needs and set a realistic budget. Once you have this down, it is time to get yourself the best gutter system possible. For a good selection of models, you should browse or buy from EasyMerchant. They will surely have what you need!