Benefits of Seamless Gutters

Rain gutters have to be replaced almost as often as the roof on a home, so somewhere around 20 years. This is a long time, but in the meantime, your home’s gutters should do their job with very little work on your part besides gutter cleaning and annual maintenance.

If you haven’t replaced your gutters lately, it’s probably a good time to begin considering the options. More than likely, your options have changed since you last shopped for gutters, either when you built your house or the last time you replaced them.

Styles and types of materials improve a lot over a period of only a few years. This means your next rain gutters will be even more efficient, lighter and offer better curb appeal than the ones that are currently on your home.

Seamless gutters are one of the newest options available.

What are Seamless Gutters?

One of the biggest enhancements in residential gutters is the invention of seamless gutter systems.

Seamless gutters are installed in long sections, opposed to standard gutters that are only sold in sections between 10 and 20 feet. They are made on-site in many cases with a special machine, removing the difficulties of transporting such long, narrow items.

Many gutter installation companies have their own machinery and are able to do the whole process – measure, manufacture and install your seamless gutters – in just one day!

Because they are built to size, it is possible to have seamless gutters that stretch over 50 feet, with the longest length of a seamless gutter at around 100 feet with no joints. This offers homeowners the choice to have an individual piece of lightweight aluminum in any color they choose.

Benefits of Seamless Gutters

Standard gutters have been popular for so long that it can be difficult to realize how another choice can be more effective. To decide if seamless gutters are a smart choice for your house, you will want to know the benefits of them so you can understand why there is such a noticeable price difference between the two.

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 machines cut out holes for gutter downspouts, which must be present every 20 to 30 feet, so that they are smooth and perfectly sized. The measurements also increase the curb appeal of your house without being too overstated or obvious.

Easier Care – Fewer joints means there are less chances for debris to cling on or get stuck within the rain gutters. Water drains through more smoothly with less clogs from dirt and debris. As a homeowner, this will likely make you very happy, since it means you won’t be cleaning them out as often. Seamless gutters typically only need 1 annual cleaning. In comparison, some regular gutter systems have to be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year to keep them working well.

Lower Chance of Leaks – Regular gutters can leak at any joint if the gutters start to pull away from the house. Loose fasteners are another problem that can result in gutter leaks. Eliminating joints throughout the entire length and width of your home reduces the chance of leaks (which protects your windows, porches, and landscaping).

Prevent Pests – Buildup in your gutters will attract animals and insects that can hide inside of them or build a nest with the organic 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, causing hundreds of dollars of damage. Keeping that buildup out of your rain gutters makes them less attractive for pests.

Eliminates Waste – Measuring for seamless gutters and then building them on site guarantees that your gutters will be the perfect size without having additional pieces that were cut off to match the exact length of the house. This is an eco-friendly practice that reduces your home’s carbon footprint. Plus, there is no need to get rid of the excess or see it end up in a landfill.

Longer Lifetime – Seamless gutters are designed with the latest technology and the best materials available. This leads to less leaks, a smaller chance of rusting and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the house. Longer lasting rain gutters can also protect your house, including the exterior walls, windows and surrounding soil.

Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional

Seamless gutters usually need professional installation due to their size and the experience and equipment needed to manufacturer them. Most homeowners don’t have own the equipment required to produce seamless gutters, nor do they have the knowledge of how to program these machines to make exact cuts.

Seamless gutters are more expensive, but once they are professionally installed, you will see their value which pays for itself over time via fewer repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have any questions about the value of seamless gutters, talk with a gutter installer who offers both traditional and seamless gutter systems to decide if the cost difference and benefits are a good fit for your budget and needs.

Installing seamless rain gutters is not a job that a homeowner can handle safely. Pros can install a section up to about 35 feet or so on their own, but anything longer than that will require a second person.

For gutters that are 35 feet or less, they will start in the middle and work their way to each end, securing the gutter every several feet. For gutters any longer, the installation team will begin in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and fasten those places because of 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. Homeowners can damage a seamless gutter by handling it improperly. This can damage the gutter’s appearance as well as limit its effectiveness. Kirkland Gutters is proud to provide seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Kirkland area. Call 425-307-4749 now for more information!