Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Rain gutters have to be replaced about as often as the roof, so roughly every 20 years. This is a long time, and in the meantime, your gutters should do their job with little effort on your part besides gutter cleaning and annual maintenance.
If you haven’t had to replace your home’s gutters lately, it’s probably about time to begin considering the options. Odds are, your options have changed a lot since you last shopped for gutters, either when building your house or the last time you had to replace them.
Styles and types of materials improve a lot over a period of just a few years. This means that 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 new options available.
What are Seamless Gutters?
One of the biggest improvements in rain gutters is the invention of seamless gutter systems.
Seamless gutters are installed in very long sections, opposed to traditional gutters which only come in sections between 10 and 20 feet long. They are made on-site in many situations with a custom machine, eliminating the difficulties of transporting such long, narrow materials.
Most gutter installation businesses own their own machinery 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 possible to have seamless gutters that stretch over 40 feet, with the maximum length of a seamless rain gutter at around 100 feet with no joints. This gives homeowners the choice to have a single piece of lightweight aluminum in whatever color they choose.
Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Standard gutters have been popular for so long that it might be difficult to see how another option can be more effective. To decide if seamless gutters are a smart idea for your house, you need know what sets them apart so you can also understand why there is 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 machines even cut out holes for downspouts, which have to be present every 20 to 30 feet, so that they are smooth and perfectly sized. The custom measurements also improve the curb appeal of your home without being too overstated or obvious.
Easier Care – Less joints mean there are less chances for debris to cling on or get stuck within the rain gutters. Water drains through smoothly with fewer clogs. As a homeowner, this will likely make you very pleased, as it means you won’t need to clean them out nearly as often. Seamless gutters typically only need 1 yearly 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 – Normal gutters can leak from any joint once the gutters start pulling away from the house. Loose fasteners are another problem that result in gutter leaks. Eliminating joints across the entire length and width of your house helps reduce the chance of leaks (which protects your windows, porches, and landscaping).
Prevent Pests – Buildup in your gutters will attract animals and insects that are able to hide inside of them or build a nest with the materials that are present. From that point, insects, birds, squirrels and chipmunks have access to your attic and are able to damage your roof, causing hundreds of dollars’ worth of damage. Keeping that buildup out of rain gutters makes them less appealing for pests.
Eliminates Waste – Measuring for seamless gutters and then cutting them on site means that your gutters will be the perfect length without having additional pieces that were cut off to match the exact length of the home. This is an eco-friendly process that lowers your home’s carbon footprint. In addition, there is no need to eliminate the excess or see it end up in a landfill.
Longer Lifetime – Seamless gutters are built with the newest technology and the best materials on the market. This creates fewer leaks, less chance of rusting and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the house. Longer lasting gutters can also protect your house, including the walls, windows and the soil.
Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional
Seamless gutters typically require professional installation due to their size and the training and machinery necessary to manufacturer them. Individuals don’t have have the equipment necessary to produce seamless gutters, nor do they have the knowledge of how to set up these machines to make precise cuts.
Seamless gutters do cost more, but once they are professionally installed, you will quickly understand their value which pays for itself because of fewer repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have any questions concerning the value of seamless gutters, speak to a gutter installer who offers both standard and seamless gutter systems to decide if the cost difference and benefits are a good fit for your budget and needs.
Installing these extra-long rain gutters is not a project that a single person can handle safely. Professionals can install a section up to about 30 feet or so by themselves, but anything longer than that will require a second person.
For gutters that are less than 35 feet, they will start in the middle and work their way to each end, fastening the gutter every several feet. For gutters that are longer than that, the installation team will need to begin in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and secure 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 easily damage a seamless gutter by handling it improperly. This can damage the gutter’s appearance as well as its effectiveness. PRO Bloomington Gutters is proud to offer seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Bloomington area. Call 812-203-5242 now for more information!