Maintaining a secure and weather-resistant home requires careful consideration of various elements, and one crucial aspect is the gutter system. Gutters play a vital role in protecting your home from water damage, and choosing the right type is essential for longevity, durability, and overall efficiency.
The best gutter types for you will be based on the weather conditions in your area, the look of your home, and the materials you feel are best suited for your needs.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the different types of gutters available in the market. We explore the gutter materials and styles, provide details on how they work, the pros and cons of each, and how much you can expect to pay. In addition, we provide maintenance advice that will help your gutters perform at their best and keep them in good condition.
Types of Gutter Material
The gutter’s material impacts the system’s longevity, strength and durability, weather-resistance, and cost. New gutters typically come in materials like aluminum, steel, copper, zinc, and vinyl.
It is worth investing in a durable gutter system to avoid gutter repairs, as well as costly damage to your home down the road. Keep in mind that the amount of rain and snow a geographic location gets influences not only the gutter material that works best, but also the size required and maintenance.
The following are the best types of gutters on the market, as well as their pros and cons.
Aluminum Gutters
Aluminum gutters are the most popular choices for rain gutters for U.S. homes, thanks to their easy installation and low cost. This lightweight material comes in a variety of colors, but can also be painted as needed. Aluminum gutters are resistant to rust, able to withstand extremely cold temperatures, and can stand strong against inclement weather.
However, the curb appeal of aluminum can diminish over time. Aluminum is susceptible to denting and bending, though thicker options are available to reduce these concerns. These gutters can also become bent easily if you choose the recycled aluminum rather than more sturdy options.
On average, homeowners can expect to pay between $8.25 and $26.40 per linear foot for aluminum gutters. The national average cost per linear foot for aluminum gutters is $17.33. Aluminum gutters last approximately 20 to 25 years, with proper maintenance.
Vinyl Gutters
Vinyl gutters are affordable and easy-to-install and have become very popular among homeowners. This type of gutter comes in a limited variety of colors. However, they can be painted if you cannot find a color that matches the look of your home.
On the downside, vinyl is a lightweight material that can bend, crack, or sag during heavy rain, snow, or winds. Vinyl gutters also may become brittle in extreme hot or cold weather. For these reasons, they are slightly less durable compared to aluminum gutters.
Despite these drawbacks, vinyl has grown in popularity thanks to its low average cost of $4.95 to $28.80 linear foot. The national average cost to install vinyl gutters is just $16.88. This material is expected to last 15 to 20 years, though certain weather conditions can cause this to fluctuate.
Copper Gutters
Copper gutters are typically more pricey than other types of gutter materials. However, there is a good reason for the price – they are some of the best types of gutters available to homeowners. Copper is extremely rust-resistant, requires no painting, is resistant to mold and mildew, and is fairly low maintenance compared to other gutter systems. Not to mention, copper gutters are stylish and known to boost curb appeal. When installing copper gutters, you can expect superior durability, as they have the ability to last 100 years or more, no matter what climate a home is in.
However, over time, copper gutters can oxidize to a blueish-green color. Additionally, copper gutters are fairly expensive and must be custom-built to fit your home.
Copper gutters are considered a high-end gutter option, costing an average of $22.55 to $70.80 per linear foot. The national average cost to install copper gutters is $46.68 per linear foot. This makes them a better choice for homeowners that plan to live in their home for a long time, or prefer very high quality gutters.
Steel Gutters
Steel gutters are considered a mid-ranged priced gutter option. Nonetheless, they have increased durability compared to aluminum and vinyl gutters, thanks to the zinc coating that is added.
Steel gutters come in a variety of options including stainless steel, galvanized and Galvalume (steel coated with a combination of aluminum and zinc). Each of these varieties are incredibly strong and weather-resistant, though galvanized steel gutters can be impacted by rust as oxidation typically occurs after 10-15 years.
One potential downside to steel gutters is that they tend to be heavier compared to other gutter types. This makes them more difficult to install and can put strain on your home’s roof.
Steel gutters range from $6.05 – $28.80 per linear foot for installation depending on the type of coating. The national average cost to install steel gutters is $17.43 per linear foot. Considering the price and the fact that they are one of the most weather-resistant types of gutters, the investment can be well worth it.
Note that pure stainless steel gutters can cost as much as $30 per linear foot. Steel gutter varieties are expected to last at least 20 years. Galvalume gutters can last even longer.
Zinc Gutters
Zinc gutters are another type of high-end gutter system with superior durability. Like copper gutters, they are rust-resistant, corrosion resistant and will not weather or warp easily. One appealing benefit to zinc gutters is that they become more attractive as they age, developing a weathered gray patina.
While they are one of the most durable gutter types, zinc gutters are slightly less durable compared to copper gutters. They are not the best suited gutter systems for coastal homes, as they can stain in locations with high salt content in the air.
When maintained properly, zinc gutter should last up to 50 years or more without damage. While zinc gutters are relatively expensive compared to other gutter types, they are not as pricey as copper gutters. You can expect zinc gutters to cost between $10 and $22 per linear foot.
Types of Gutter Styles
All gutters are designed to protect your home from structural damage by directing rainwater and snowfall away from your house. However, not every type of gutter and gutter style is the right choice for every type of home.
There are three major styles of gutters—K-style, half-round, and custom fascia.
K-Style Gutters
Over the last 50 years, K-style gutters have been the most common type of gutters among homeowners. These gutters, which resemble the letter K when you look at them from a side view, tend to hold more water than other types of gutters. This is due to their unique shape—which also makes them less likely to leak or bend with added weight from rainwater. They also give off the appearance of crown molding near your home’s roofing.
- Materials: K-style gutters are generally made from aluminum, but can also come in vinyl, copper, or galvanized steel.
- Sizes: They come in sizes from 5 to 8 inches wide, but can be customized if needed. Most homes require a 5 or 6 inch k-style gutter. Only large homes will require gutters wider than 6 inches.
- Seamless: K-style seamless gutters, the most common type, typically come in 10 to 20 foot sections, which can be easily installed by a professional gutter contractor.
- Higher water capacity: Due to their design, k-style gutters can hold more water than half-round gutters. This makes them an especially good fit for homes in areas prone to storms and heavy rainfall.
- Easy installation: K-style gutters are flat on one side, so they can be attached to a fascia board. As a result, there is no need to install several brackets to keep the gutters in place, which makes the installation process a lot less complicated.
- Possible debris accumulation: If you do not install gutter guards, there is a possibility that leaves, twigs, and other debris will get stuck in the crevices of K-style gutters. The gutters need to be cleaned and maintained at least twice per year to avoid clogs that can cause damage to your home.
- Not the best for older homes: Older homes tend to have a more round appearance. The angular shape of K-style gutters can be an awkward choice for these homes and may lessen their overall aesthetic appeal.
Half-Round Gutters
Half-round gutters, which look like a tube that has been cut in two, are an excellent choice for homes that were built prior to the 1950s with more rounded features. They are also commonly used on modern homes that do not have angular roofs (which best accommodate K-style gutters), or feature brick or natural stone siding.
The shape of half-round gutters allows them to catch water without trapping it inside crevices. Half-round gutters also tend to corrode less than k-style gutters, since the interior is smoother, and are also easier to clean.
- Materials: In terms of materials, half-round gutters come in the same varieties as k-style gutters. You can choose from aluminum, copper, steel, zinc, or vinyl half-round gutters.
- Sizes: Half-round gutters are typically between 5 and 6 inches in width, but anything between 4 and 8 inches in width is available. They typically come in 10 foot seamless sections. These can be easily installed and attached to downspouts by a gutter contractor.
- Durability: The inside of half-round gutters is smooth. This helps boost their durability, since there are not many creases for water to be collected in. This also results in fewer opportunities for gutters corrode, which goes a long way toward extending the life of the gutters.
- Less likely to clog: The shape and smooth surface of half-round gutters also make them easier to clean and maintain because water and debris move through them efficiently. Things like leaves and twigs do not easily get stuck in these gutters, so they are less likely to get clogged.
- Complicated installation: The shape of these gutters creates extra steps during installation because they cannot be fit onto the edge of a roof. Half-round gutters cannot simply be attached to fascia boards like K-style gutters, so they require brackets to keep them in place. The complexity of installation for this gutter style involves the work of a contractor.
- Limited availability: Since rounded gutters are less popular in the United States, they are not as readily available from contractors as K-style gutters. If you choose this gutter style, keep in mind that they may be trickier to get and it may be challenging to find your preferred material.
Custom Fascia Gutters
While this style is not as common on U.S. homes, if you want gutters with a unique look, custom-built fascia gutters may be a good choice for you. These gutters, which are generally 5 to 7 inches in width, are a popular choice for those with large homes. They are the most efficient at diverting water away from roofs, since they have bigger surface areas than other gutter styles. They are seamless and rectangular in shape, and can give your home’s exterior a stylish and contemporary look.
- Material and Sizes: Custom fascia gutters are usually made from pieces of aluminum custom-fit to the size of your home, rather than assembled from pre-made sections attached to each other.
- Protection from extreme weather: If you live in an area with extreme weather, custom fascia gutters are a good choice because of their design. Fascia gutters are able to handle a lot more water than other gutter styles, which gives you protection during heavy snow and rain. Also, these gutters are secure enough to withstand strong winds during storms, so you do not have to worry about them becoming detached.
- Appearance: Fascia gutters have a sleek appearance that other gutter styles do not have. If you have a new home, you may prefer their look because they complement more modern architecture and do not use soffit panels.
- More difficult to clean: Since fascia gutters are very large, there are more opportunities for debris to get stuck inside of them. This can cause clogs if you do not clean them frequently. One way you can help mitigate this is by having gutter guards installed.
- Possible water damage: Fascia gutters are designed to hold more water than other types of gutters. This is great if you live in an area with extreme weather conditions. Unfortunately, they are also prone to water damage if they are not maintained regularly, or repaired as soon as problems emerge.
- Expensive: Fascia gutters cost about $5 to $30 or more per linear foot. They are the most pricy gutter style, since they are custom built to fit your home. Fascia gutters are also more complicated to install than other types of gutters. They will require a professional contractor for installation.
Gutter Styles: Maintenance Differences
All gutters need to be maintained to some degree, usually at least twice a year. But the way you need to clean and maintain your gutters will be different based on the type of gutter system you choose. The following are best practices for cleaning each style of gutters.
K-Style Gutter Maintenance
In order to clean k-style gutters, you will need outdoor work gloves and a ladder. First identify areas where leaves and other debris have accumulated. Then:
- Use a small shovel or your hands (with gloves) to clear those areas of gutters manually.
- After clearing the debris, clean the inside of the gutters by pouring a solution of 1 part bleach and 2 parts water directly down them to remove any dirt that has accumulated inside. Continue this process on each section of your gutters.
- Then, go back and spray the gutters with hose water to remove dirt and bacteria left inside. Point the hose in the direction of the downspouts so that the water drains properly.
- In addition, when cleaning your gutters, look out for signs of damage to sections and repair them right away before these areas compromise your entire gutter system.
Remember that k-style gutters often clog more easily than half-round gutters, especially during storms. If you have k-style gutters, it is a good idea to prep your gutters ahead of storm season to lessen damage and maintenance needs.
Half-Round Gutter Maintenance
For half-round gutters, maintenance needs will be quite similar.
- Start by removing leaves and debris on the inside with a spatula or your hands with work gloves. If there are areas where the debris is hardened, you can scrape it out with a putty knife.
- After, double check the area to ensure that none of the particles are left inside.
- Next, look for places that may be clogged at the downspout entries and elbow joints. If there is clogging, use tongs to remove any debris you find.
- Then check to see if there are parts of your gutters that are damaged. If the damage is small, you can use sealant to repair the broken sections. If the damage is too big to repair, those parts of the gutters will need to be replaced.
- In addition, if there are areas of your half-round gutters that are slightly sagging, use metal brackets to reinforce them. If that does not fix the problem, or you do not know how to fix them on your own, you will need to contact a gutter contractor to address the issue as soon as possible.
Fascia Gutter Maintenance
Fascia gutters are deeper than other types of gutters, so they are more challenging to clean. Make sure to remove leaves, needles, and other debris from your gutters so they do not get clogged.
For custom fascia gutters, it best to hire a professional to clean your gutters to ensure it is done properly, and that any damage is repaired immediately.
Finding a Professional Gutter Installer
Are you thinking of replacing, repairing, or upgrading your gutter system? It is a good idea to hire a professional gutter contractor to complete this project. A professional will be able to advise you on which type of gutters are best for your home, and ensure the installation is done properly.
Compare top-rated gutters pros in your area.
Read real homeowner reviews, explore qualifications, and view promotions. Modernize makes it easy to browse professionals and find one that will be perfect for your project.
