Benefits of Seamless Gutters

Gutters should be replaced about as often as the roof, so roughly every 20 years. This is a good long while, and in the meantime, your rain gutters should do their job with very little effort on your part besides gutter cleaning and annual maintenance.

If you haven’t had to replace your home’s gutters lately, it’s probably about time to begin considering the options. More than likely, your options have changed a lot since the last time you shopped for gutters, either when you built your house or the last time you had to replace them.

Styles and materials improve a lot over a period of just 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 home.

Seamless gutters are one of the newest options available.

What are Seamless Gutters?

One of the standout improvements in home gutters is the invention of seamless gutter systems.

Seamless gutters are installed in long sections, opposed to standard gutters which are only sold in sections between 10 and 20 feet long. They are made on-site in most situations with a custom machine, eliminating the difficulties of transporting long, narrow materials.

Most gutter installation businesses own their own equipment and are able to complete the whole process – measure, manufacture and installing your seamless gutters – in only one day!

Because they are manufactured to size, it is possible to have seamless gutters that extend over 50 feet, with the longest length of a seamless gutter at around 100 feet without joints. This offers homeowners the choice to have a single piece of lightweight aluminum in whatever color they choose.

Benefits of Seamless Gutters

Traditional gutters have been used for so long that it can be hard to believe how another choice can be much more effective. To decide if seamless gutters are a smart idea for your home, you should know what sets them apart so you can 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 noticeably sleek look. Seamless gutter machines cut out holes for gutter downspouts, which must be present every 20 to 30 feet, so that they are smooth and perfectly sized. The measurements also increase the curb appeal of your home without being overstated and obvious.

Easier Care – Less joints means there are less opportunities for debris to cling on or get stuck within the rain gutters. Water flows through smoothly with fewer clogs. As a homeowner, this should make you extremely happy, since it means you don’t need to clean them out nearly as often. Seamless gutters only need 1 yearly cleaning. In comparison, most standard gutter systems have to be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year in order to keep them functioning well.

Lower Chance of Leaks – Regular gutters can leak from any joint as soon as the gutters start to pull away from the house. Loose fasteners are another problem that can result in gutter leaks. Eliminating joints throughout the length and width of your home reduces the risk of leaks (which protects your windows, porches, and landscaping).

Discourages Pests – Clogged gutters will attract small animals and insects that can hide within them or build a nest with the debris that is present. From there, insects, birds, squirrels and chipmunks have access to your attic and are able to damage your roof, resulting in hundreds of dollars worth of repairs. Keeping that buildup out of your gutters makes them less attractive for pests.

Eliminates Waste – Measuring for seamless gutters and then building them on site means that your gutters will be the correct size without having scrap pieces that were cut off to match the exact length of the house. This is an eco-friendly practice that reduces your home’s carbon footprint. In addition, there is no need to get rid of 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 leads to fewer leaks, less chance of rust and reduced risk of the gutters pulling away from the house. Longer lasting rain gutters can also protect your home, including the exterior walls, windows and the soil.

Seamless Gutters Installed by a Professional

Seamless gutters usually require professional installation because of their size and the experience and machinery required to build them. Most homeowners don’t have to own the machinery necessary to produce seamless gutters, nor do they have the knowledge of how to program these machines to make exact cuts.

Seamless gutters are more expensive, but once they are professionally installed, you will immediately see their value which pays for itself because of less repairs and longer time between replacements. If you have questions about the value of seamless rain gutters, speak to a gutter installer who provides both standard and seamless gutter systems to determine if the cost difference and benefits are a good fit for your budget and needs.

Installing seamless gutters is not a job that a single person can handle safely. Pros can install a section up to about 30 feet by themselves, but anything longer than that requires a second person.

For gutters that are less than 35 feet, they will start in the middle and work their way to each end, fastening the gutter every few feet. For gutters any longer than that, the installation team will begin in two places (1/3 of the way from each end) and secure those sections 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 long gutter by mishandling it. This can damage the gutter’s appearance as well as its effectiveness. Portland Gutter Solutions is proud to offer seamless gutter installation to all homes and businesses in the Portland area. Call 503-461-6450 now for more information!