The gutters on our home do a thankless job. They do the important job of protecting our home from water damage from rain and snow, but because they do it so seamlessly we often forget they are there.

It is usually not until our gutters start not working properly that we remember that they are even there. If you are starting to notice water damage when it rains or that your gutters are starting to look worn and tired, it might be time to replace them.

When replacing your gutter system, one of the biggest decisions you will have to make is which type of gutter material to use. Here are the 4 best types of gutters for your home.

Vinyl Gutters

Vinyl gutters are considered by gutter experts to be the best choice. They have many benefits including how easy they are to install and how they will never rust. They are so easy to install in fact that homeowners can easily do it themselves because these gutters are lightweight and are easily put together. They are also one of the more inexpensive choices.

Aluminum Gutters

Aluminum gutters are also a popular choice. Like vinyl gutters they don’t rust and are easy to install. If you live in colder climes though, aluminum gutters are a superior choice because they won’t crack or degrade in the colder temperatures as easily. With aluminum gutters, you can also paint them to match the color of the outside of your house. The one drawback is that aluminum can be easily dented or bent out of shape. You can combat this though by only choosing high quality aluminum for your gutters.

Stainless Steel Gutters

Stainless steel gutters are also a great option, but they are more expensive than vinyl or aluminum gutters. On the positive side though, they are stronger and sturdier than the other two types of gutters and they don’t rust.

Copper Gutters

Copper gutters are beautiful to look at and are often used by homeowners who are trying to keep the original look to their older homes. They tend to be more expensive though.

There are other decision you need to make besides the type of gutter for your new system like whether to go with sectional versus seamless and K-Shape or Half-Round shape. Aluminum gutters are the only type that offers a seamless option like seamless half-round gutters. Keep in mind also that K-shape gutters are able to carry more water than the half-round ones and are overall sturdier.

This is a lot to take in, but don’t worry. Even if you are trying to do all this yourself, there is only one thing you really need to focus on. Can your new gutters do their job correctly and is it an expense that you can afford?

If you decide to install them on your own, there are certain things to keep in mind. Most important is ladder safety. If you are nervous about being up on a ladder or are unsteady on your feet for any reasons, you should not get up on a ladder.

If you have no worries on that front then keep these other points in mind:

• Choose the right size. If you go too small, the gutters will only get overloaded in heavy downfalls leading to a lot of water damage to your home. The wrong size can also lead to gutter damage and structural damage to your home. To calculate the right size, you need to figure out the size of your roof and pitch as well as how much rainfall you tend to get in your area.
• Don’t hang your gutters too far apart. You should hang the gutter hangers about every three feet or so.
• Pay attention to the angle of your gutters. Too large of an angle or one not large enough can affect the gutter’s performance. The general rule of thumb is to allow for a ¼ inch slope towards the downspouts for every 10 feet of gutter.
• Be careful while installing that you don’t by accident damage the gutters. You will only be making more work for yourself and adding to your expenses.

Now of course you don’t have to do all the installation yourself. We at Storm Master can help. We have been providing gutters and gutter services for over 40 years now and we guarantee affordable and reliable products and services always. We can also help you with any of your custom gutter projects big or small, specializing in seamless half-round gutters. We have designed and installed custom gutter systems for all types of properties from apartment buildings and single family homes to commercial properties. We also provide gutter cleaning, repair and protection services.

Want to learn more about how we can help you choose the best gutters for your home? Call us for a free estimate today.