To most people, we understand that gutters don’t seem that interesting or complex. However to us at Citywide, we live and breathe gutters which means we understand all the intricacies different gutters offers a home.
For instance, there are six types of gutter materials that are the most popular on the market, and with each of these materials comes its own unique benefits and drawbacks. So understanding all of these aspects is important when considering purchasing and installing new gutters, as well as choosing a professional gutter company that understands everything about your home’s gutter system. This is what separates the men (and women) from the boys (and girls) in the gutter world.
Copper Gutters
We’ve already discussed the pros and cons of copper gutters. If you need a refresher, please review our original blog entry [INSERT LINK]. But in a nutshell, copper gutters are pricier and don’t require painting. Over time, the original colour will patina (age) and turn a greenish hue bringing more character to your home. Copper gutters are stronger then most other materials, and are more-or-less resistant to the elements.
Vinyl Gutters
Vinyl (or plastic) gutters are definitely the most inexpensive option and they are certainly more simple to install as they come pre-fabricated. Because they aren’t made of metal, they won’t rust after a period of time, but they are susceptible to the sun. But bear in mind, that less expensive doesn’t equate to better.
Aluminum Gutters
By far the most popular choice in gutters is aluminum. The material is available in many colours, is less expensive then most other materials (except vinyl), is resistant to corrosion (if properly installed and maintained over the years) and is light and easy to work with.
Steel Gutters
Steel gutters are galvanized, which simply means it’s been coated with a protective layer of zinc, making it the strongest of the bunch, so it won’t bend or break that easily — of course this is always based on having your gutters properly installed and taking care of them year-after-year. However, steel gutters do have drawback which is they are made of steel and are likely to rust over time.
Galvalume Gutters
This type of steel gutter has an extra layer of coating made of zinc and aluminum. The result is one of the strongest materials, and longest-lasting, available on the market. It has also been proven to resist corrosion and outlasts the lifetime of regular galvanized steel gutters.
Zinc Gutters
These gutters are a metal alloy comprised of mostly zinc mixed with a tiny amount of titanium and copper. The zinc also patinas (ages) over time, which means these types of gutters don’t require paint or paint maintenance and the zinc is weather resistant as well. As a result, zinc gutters will last twice as long as aluminum but are also more expensive.
Regardless of the type of gutter you choose, regular maintenance and care is required with all the various types to ensure they work effectively.
