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Gutter drainage systems protect your roof and home from pooling water and damaging leaks. But how will you choose from the endless pile of options? Read our complete guide to choosing the best gutter system for your home with advice from a pro.
More often than not, we see homeowners focusing on which shingles to buy and treating the drainage system as an afterthought.
But rain gutters are an integral part of the roofing system.
Choosing the best materials and following a killer roof maintenance routine still won’t be enough to keep your roof and home protected. If your gutters don’t drain well, rain and melting snow pool on your roof, leaving your home vulnerable to shingle damage, foundation problems, and leaks into your home.
Avoid the expensive fixes and lower your cost of roof repairs with a great gutter system that effectively redirects water to a location away from your home.
Which type of gutter is best? It depends on your home and needs - let’s walk through your ultimate solution together.
How to Find the Best Gutters For Home
Durability & Costs: What is the Best Material For Gutters?
Much like roofing materials themselves, roofing gutters come in various materials, colours, shapes, and sizes. You’ll want to choose gutters based on your roof’s shape and the weather your area receives - the best gutters for heavy rain might suit you in rainy Vancouver, but they won’t do much good in the dry prairies.
Aluminum
The most popular material used in modern gutter systems is aluminum, a relatively inexpensive find that’s durable and available in a wide colour range. But is it the best gutters material? It does well in cold climates as a reliable lightweight gutter option that costs between $3 to $6 per foot. It’s rust-proof, corrosion-resistant, and nearly indestructible.
Copper or Zinc
Copper gutters are a fully-functional and beautiful addition to your home, offering reliable draining systems with one of the strongest metals that can withstand the extreme weather of most Canadian regions.
This premium material comes at a premium cost, typically around double to triple the price of aluminum. And if you don’t like the green patina that forms on the roofs of Parliament buildings, you’re better off choosing a material that maintains its original colour as its ages.
Zinc gutters are incredibly durable, lasting nearly a century before requiring replacement on some homes. If you plan to live in your current home for the foreseeable future, the investment could be well worth its costs.
Steel
Most steel gutter systems are galvanised, with a zinc coating for extra strength and durability. Though galvanising the system allows it to withstand more extreme weather conditions than other options, they eventually rust and require a gutter replacement after around 25 years. Still, if you live in a region that often sees stormy weather, the investment in steel may save you from significant system damage and roof repair needs through heavy rain, snow, and wind.
Vinyl
If keeping your costs low is a top priority, a vinyl roof gutter system is cost-effective and straightforward to work with for a DIY guttering installation. They’re a no-nonsense solution with a wide range of colors that can work as a shorter-term solution.
Most professional guttering installers do not work with vinyl simply because they want their clients to get the best value for their money. With material costs similar to aluminum gutters, vinyl breaks down much more quickly under excessive sunlight or colder climates, requiring more regular replacement than any other material at around the 10-year mark.
Style & Shape: What gutters look and function the best?
Though homeowners shouldn’t prioritize the look of a gutter system over function, it still plays a vital role in their final decision. We all want to love the home we own, and luckily there are plenty of gutter functions that perform well while looking beautiful.
K-Style, Fascia, & Half-Round
Most homes have this classic, polished gutter look that’s wider at the top, shaped like a “K,” and seamlessly installed to prevent clogs as much as possible.
Fascia gutters are the largest of the bunch, with a smooth, trim, and modern look.
Half-round or U-shaped gutters universally suit most homes regardless of their style, thanks to a clean, sleek look and a broad range of colours.
Size
Most gutters come in sizes from 4 to 6 inches, with downspouts ranging from 2 x 3 to 3 x 4 inches in diameter. You may want a wider system in an area with heavy rainfall to prevent drainage issues, though roofing contractors can guide you through the best option to suit your needs.
Seamless & Sectional
Every gutter system comes in sections, but many modern roofing companies in Hamilton, Burlington, & the GTA can install “seamless” gutters by bringing a specialized machine on-site to form the gutters into a single seamless piece along the roofline.
On the other hand, Sectional gutters are either soldered or glued together with gutter sealant by a reliable roofing installer.
Are seamless gutters better than regular gutters?
Both options offer durable results, but sectional gutters’ joints take a beating over the years, making the pricier seamless installs outlast them.
The Eco Impacts: What Gutters Last the Longest?
Everyone wants a gutter system that’s durable and long-lasting, but often better quality comes at a higher price, pushing many homeowners to choose inexpensive options that aren’t always eco-friendly.
When you’re choosing the right gutter system, consider the effect of your choice on the environment. Opting for inexpensive vinyl requires replacement every 10 years, creating extra unnecessary waste over your home’s lifetime.
If you choose a durable material, your gutters could last throughout your lifetime and beyond over the next 90+ years.
Final Verdict: What is the best material for gutters on a house?
It depends.
From a durability perspective, zinc, or copper are your best options, though the best balance between budget and dependability is aluminum.
Ready to install or replace the gutters on your home? Our team at the best roofing company in Hamilton, Ontario, would be happy to discuss gutter options with you and walk through the best fit for your needs.
Call us at (905) 544-4667 or send us a message.
