Seamless Gutters vs. Regular Gutters
Tired of having to constantly have your gutters repaired due to sagging, overflowing, or sealant wearing out? You probably have regular, sectional gutters. These gutters are made from several pre-cut sections joined together by sealant, and can have numerous problems due to this.
What’s the Alternative?
Seamless gutters. This type of gutter is durable and low-maintenance in comparison to sectional gutters, boasting increased resistance to leaks and damage. They’re made from one piece of material instead of sections, and as such, they have no joints or seams in which debris can be trapped. Hence, they are less prone to clogging. The lack of joints or seams is the reason for the increase in durability as well, since joints and seams are the weak points on traditional gutters, requiring sealant that only lasts a short period to keep the sections together. A less practical advantage, but still a present one, is that seamless gutters have a more sophisticated, custom-made look to them.
Why Doesn’t Everyone Have Seamless Gutters?
Seamless gutters take a lot more work to install, since they are made from one piece of material. This material must be custom-cut for your house on-site using professional machinery, raising the cost from $5 to $10 per foot for regular gutters to $6 to $13 per foot for seamless ones. And, due to this, seamless gutters cannot be installed yourself and require professional installation.
Repairs or replacements must also be done to the entire gutter, since it’s just one large piece, making seamless gutters a less good choice for stormy areas.
Even with these caveats, seamless gutters still stand ahead. The extra cost, though it adds up alarmingly quickly, makes sense in the long run, since seamless gutters last a while longer than normal gutters and need less maintenance.
The Cost of Seamless Gutter Installation
Of course, the cost varies widely depending on the material. Vinyl and aluminum are on the lower end, at $3 to $13 per foot, and copper, a higher-end material, can cost from $15 to $25 per foot.
Installation averages around $2.50 per foot, but there are many factors, including your location, the complexity of the job and your architecture, and delivery costs. Removal of existing gutters can increase the price as well, or it may be charged separately.
When hiring a professional contractor, ask for a thorough estimate so you know exactly what you’re looking at.
If you’re interested in getting seamless gutters to lessen your gutter woes, contact us here at Elite Gutters and Sunrooms. We can perform free estimates at request, and during installation we use the highest-quality materials available. We can also install sunrooms, screen enclosures, patio covers, replacement windows, and awnings, if you’re looking for one of those too.