How to Choose Rain Gutters
Rain gutters are responsible for protecting houses against heavy rain and leaking. Buying the correct gutter system that fits your budget, aesthetics and your home's needs can be a confusing process. Gutters come in all different materials, shapes and sizes, and the price can vary drastically. Knowing how to sort through the different kinds of gutters will help you more easily make a choice that will fit your home. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Set out a budget for yourself. Basically, the more expensive materials and higher assembly costs equate to gutters that will last longer. Measure your house, estimating how many feet of gutter you will need. You can use this measurement to estimate the cost of each material. Remember that cheaper materials will be more likely to need repairs or replacement in the future. Decide whether you can spend money now or later on the gutters.
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Choose a material for the gutters. Vinyl is cheap but is not all that durable. It will degrade and could crack with use and cold weather. Aluminum is the next step up and is the most popular choice for gutter material. It is lightweight and durable, comes in many colors and resists rust for years. Galvanized steel is strong and should be used for homes in areas with heavy rain and snow. However, it will rust after about 20 years. Copper is the most expensive material and the most durable. It is most often chosen for its aesthetic appeal.
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Choose the shape of the gutter. Traditionally, gutters come in a U-shape. According to Bob Vila, a more modern option arrived in the 1950s with the K-style gutter. (See Reference 1.) This style is shaped into a trough. There is basically no difference except for aesthetics when choosing between these two options although you may have to get a larger U-shape gutter to hold as much as a K-style gutter.
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Choose how you would like the gutter assembled. You have a choice between sectional and seamless assembly. You can buy sectionals at a hardware store and assemble them yourself or have them assembled at your home. These systems degrade more easily and are prone to leaks. Seamless assembly is more expensive but less prone to wear.
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Decide on the details. Choose a downspout and consider whether you will need a splash block to funnel water away from your home. Also choose the size of your gutter. If you live in an area with heavy rainfall and snow, you will need a larger gutter than a person in an area with very little precipitation.
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