Benefits of Seamless Gutters

Gutters have to be replaced about as often as the roof, so roughly every 20 years. This is a long time, but in the meantime, your home’s rain gutters should do their job with very little work on your part besides gutter cleaning and routine maintenance.

If you haven’t had to replace your gutters lately, it’s probably about time to begin looking at the options. More than likely, your options have changed a lot since you last shopped for new gutters, either when you built your home 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 your next gutters will be more efficient, lighter and more attractive than the ones that are currently on your house.

Seamless gutters are one of the newest options available.

What are Seamless Gutters?

One of the major upgrades in residential gutters is the creation of seamless gutter systems.

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

Many gutter installation businesses have their own machinery and are able to complete the whole process on their own – measure, manufacture and installing your seamless gutters – in only one day!

Because they are manufactured to size, it is not uncommon to have seamless gutters that extend over 50 feet, with the longest length of a seamless rain gutter around 100 feet without joints. This gives homeowners the option 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 might be difficult to see how another option can be more effective. To determine if seamless gutters are a smart choice for your home, you should understand 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 noticeably sleek appearance. Seamless gutter fabrication machines cut out holes for downspouts, which should be present every 20 to 30 feet, so that they are smooth and correctly sized. The measurements also improve the curb appeal of your home without being overstated or obvious.

Easier Care – Fewer joints means there are fewer opportunities for debris to cling on or get stuck within the gutters. Water flows 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 much. Seamless gutters typically only need 1 yearly cleaning. In contrast, some standard gutter systems have to be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year in order to keep them functioning well.

Lower Chance of Leaks – Normal gutters can leak from any joint as soon as the gutters start to pull away from the home. Loose fasteners are another problem that can result in gutter leaks. Getting rid of joints along the entire length and width of your house helps reduce the likelihood of leaks (which protects your windows, porches, and landscaping).

Discourages Pests – Clogged gutters will attract animals and insects that will hide within them or build nests with the debris that is present. From that point, insects, birds, squirrels and chipmunks have access to your attic and will destroy your roof, causing hundreds of dollars’ worth of damage. Keeping that buildup out of your rain gutters makes them less attractive for pests.

Eliminates Waste – Measuring for seamless gutters and then cutting them on site means that your gutters will be the correct size without having scrap pieces that were cut off to match the exact length of the home. This is an environmentally-friendly practice that lowers your home’s carbon footprint. In addition, there is no need to destroy the excess (which can result in harmful chemicals) or see it end up in a landfill.

Last Longer – Seamless gutters are built with the newest technology and the best materials available. This creates fewer leaks, a smaller 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 because of their size and the experience and machinery required to build them. Most homeowners don’t have access t the equipment required to make 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 installed, you will understand their value which pays for itself due to fewer repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have questions about the value of seamless gutters, talk with a gutter installer who offers both standard and seamless gutter systems to decide if the cost difference and benefits are worth it for your budget and needs.

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

For seamless gutters that are less than 35 feet, they will start in the middle and work their way to each end, attaching the gutter every several feet. For gutters any longer than that, the installation team will begin in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and attach those places because of 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 damage a seamless gutter by handling it improperly. This can affect the gutter’s appearance as well as its effectiveness. Chattanooga Gutters is proud to offer seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Chattanooga area. Call 423-225-8395 now for more information!