Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Gutters have to be replaced nearly as often as the roof on a home, so roughly every 20 years. This is a long time, and in the meantime, your rain gutters should do their job with very little work on your part besides gutter cleaning and annual maintenance.
If you haven’t replaced your home’s gutters lately, it’s probably about time to begin looking at the options. Chances are, your options have changed a lot since the last time you shopped for gutters, either when building your house or the last time you had to replace them.
Styles and types of materials improve significantly over a period of only a few years. This means your next gutters will be even more efficient, lighter and more attractive 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 residential gutters is the invention of seamless gutter systems.
Seamless gutters are installed in very long sections, as opposed to traditional gutters which are only manufactured in sections between 10 and 20 feet long. They are made on-site in most cases with a custom machine, eliminating the difficulties of transporting long, narrow materials.
Most gutter installation companies have their own machinery and are able to complete the entire process – measure, manufacture and installing your seamless gutters – in just one day!
Since they are built to size, it is not uncommon to have seamless gutters that extend over 40 feet, with the maximum length of a seamless gutter at around 100 feet without joints. This gives homeowners the choice to have an individual piece of lightweight aluminum in any color they choose.
Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Traditional gutters have been popular for so long that it can be difficult to believe how another option can be more effective. To determine if seamless gutters are a good choice for your home, you should 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 sleek appearance. Seamless gutter fabrication machines cut out holes for downspouts, which should be present every 20 to 30 feet, so 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 fewer chances for debris to get hung on or get stuck within the rain gutters. Water flows through smoothly with less clogs from dirt and debris. As a homeowner, this should make you extremely pleased, as it means you don’t need to clean them out nearly as much. Seamless gutters typically only need 1 yearly cleaning. In contrast, some standard rain gutter systems have to be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year 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 also a problem that cause gutter leaks. Getting rid of 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 – Clogged gutters will attract small animals, rodents and insects that can hide inside of 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’ of damage. Keeping that buildup out of gutters makes them less appealing for pests.
Eliminates Waste – Measuring for seamless gutters and then manufacturing them on site means that your gutters will be the correct length without having extra pieces that were cut off to match the length of the house. This is an eco-friendly process that reduces 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 made with the newest technology and the best materials available. This results in fewer leaks, less chance of rust and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the home. Longer lasting rain gutters also protect your house, including the walls, windows and surrounding soil.
Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional
Seamless gutters usually require professional installation because of their size and the training and equipment required to manufacturer them. Individuals don’t have have the equipment necessary to make seamless gutters, nor do they have the knowledge of how to set up these machines to make exact cuts.
Seamless gutters do cost more, but once they are installed, you will quickly see their value which pays for itself due to less repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have any questions about the value of seamless gutters, talk with a gutter installer who does both standard and seamless gutter systems to determine if the cost difference and benefits are a good fit for your budget and needs.
Installing these extra-long rain gutters is not a task that a homeowner can handle safely. Pros can install a section up to about 30 feet by themselves, but anything longer will require a second person.
For gutters that are 35 feet or less, they will start in the middle and work their way to each end, attaching the gutter every several feet. For gutters any longer, the installation team will need to begin in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and attach those places 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. Homeowners can easily damage a seamless gutter by handling it improperly. This can affect the gutter’s appearance as well as limit its effectiveness. Lakeville Gutter Service is proud to offer seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Lakeville area. Call 952-230-2633 now for more information!