PART I: MADE OF THE RIGHT MATERIAL
The material that your gutters are made of is as important as any other feature or configuration of your gutters themselves; some would say the choice of gutter material is the one, single most important choice you’ll make when installing new gutters. Certainly, choosing one gutter material over another will dictate most, if not all, of the other features of your gutter setup. Those in the business of installing gutters generally agree that, among the five or so most common materials used in gutters, the best value comes from installing gutters made from either aluminum or galvanized steel. This is not to say that other, more traditional materials do not provide value, or do not work well. It is simply that, when you consider the overall combination of affordability, durability, and how long they last, aluminum and, specifically, galvanized steel, give you the best bang for your buck. GETTING TO KNOW ALUMINUM All else being equal, your first choice of gutter material should probably be aluminum. Not only is aluminum the most affordable when it comes to gutter construction, its price doesn’t detract from the fact that aluminum’s properties are very well-suited to properly functioning gutters. First and foremost, aluminum does not rust. No matter how much moisture your gutters are exposed to, aluminum will stand up to the test of time. Secondly, it is lightweight, which makes it eminently suited to just about any house. As aluminum gutters aren’t as heavy as some others would be, they wouldn’t need additional construction to ensure your home can support them.
PART I: MADE OF THE RIGHT MATERIAL
A QUICK LOOK AT STEEL Galvanized steel gutters can be considered an alternative to aluminum systems. While aluminum works as well or better in most situations, there are specific areas where steel gutters outperform aluminum ones. For starters, because steel is more durable than aluminum, they stand up better to extremes of weather, particularly in areas that experience heavy rains or snow. Galvanized steel will eventually rust, however, although it can take decades. If you don’t want to take chances, you can opt for stainless steel gutters.
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Just as important as the material they’re made of is how the gutters conform to your home’s dimensions, as we’ll see in Part II.
PART II: BUILT TO FIT
It’s pretty much taken as a matter of course that something custommade to fit you will look and work better than something you buy off the rack. While mass-produced, ready-to-wear clothing, for example, is perfectly serviceable and, under normal circumstances, fine for everyday use, the fact is that the extra time and expense involved in something custom-fitted to you will always be more remarkable over something you picked up off the rack, no matter the brand or the expense. THE IMPORTANCE OF CUSTOM-SIZING It’s surprising how many people will realize this about things like clothes and accessories, but do not make the connection when it comes to things that are just as important, such as their homes. Just as with clothes, however, structural features of your home, such as newly installed gutters, will always look better when tailor-made specifically for your property. This means more than just choosing the right material and type, your gutters have to be sized to suit your home exactly. Perfectfit shirts look better than ones with approximated sizes, right? In that same way that your body is unique, your home also has its own curves and corners that your gutter system must conform to.
PART II: BUILT TO FIT
HOW DO YOU GET GUTTERS THAT FIT RIGHT? Consider seamless gutters. Aside from entrusting your gutters to a professional for proper sizing, opting for seamless gutters will let you ensure you get a gutter system that fits right because of the way they are constructed. As their name suggests, seamless gutters don’t have seams, only connected at joints where your roof forms corners. Whatever design your roof might have, a seamless gutter system can follow, utilizing continuous troughs that run along your roof’s perimeter exactly.
A proper fit might be associated more with great visual appeal but, when it comes to gutters, it also means conditions ideal for great performance. ooooo
Right material? Check! Right fit? Check! In the next part, we’ll be talking about the importance of being tough and easy to care for ideal in a gutter system.
PART III: TOUGH BUT EASY TO CARE FOR
Gutters are a crucial part of your home because they are tasked with directing water away from your property when it rains. Water will naturally flow down, yes, but making sure that it actually flows away from your home is important because that will ensure moisture-related problems are kept at bay. RELIABLE TOUGHNESS All gutters can direct water away from your home but just how well they perform will depend on the kind of gutter system you have. Heavy rains can be punishing so you’re going to want to make sure that your gutters are tough enough to take the beating. Not to mention that they too will be subjected to the elements. Even when it’s not raining then, your gutters have to be tough enough to withstand whatever the seasons will bring. This is where choosing the right material and quality craftsmanship from a reputable contractor come together to give you a gutter system you can rely on.
PART III: TOUGH BUT EASY TO CARE FOR
CONVENIENT MAINTENANCE Though built to last, your gutter system will still benefit from routine maintenance. However, while you may be ready to dole out some TLC regularly, caring for your gutters should not take up your time and cost you so much. This is why it’s important to get a gutter system that is low-maintenance. An easy-to-care for gutter is convenient to have because you don’t have to worry about specialized maintenance tasks to keep it looking and performing great. And because there are no specialized tasks to carry out, you also get to keep maintenance costs down, allowing you to rake in savings in the long run.
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There are several gutter options out there, each with something to offer you and your home. Working with a reputable contractor will not only help you choose the right gutters for you but will also ensure that yours are installed right, guaranteeing that you make the most out of your investment.
Seamless Exterior 6227 Nordic Dr, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
(319) 243-3600 (319) 277-3441 SeamlessExterior.com