Gutters play a vital role in your home’s drainage system. Since their creation in 3,000 B.C., gutters have become increasingly advanced, efficient, and attractive. Today’s seamless gutters represent the highest level of sophistication, featuring an ideal combination of functionality, beauty, and low-maintenance design. Below is a look at the top seven benefits of seamless gutters, and the reasons why a growing number of consumers choose these over traditional sectional gutters.
1. Great Curb Appeal
Even to the untrained eye, seamless gutters hold a major edge over sectional gutters in the aesthetics department. They are constructed with one long, continuous piece of metal instead of multiple pieces of prefabricated material. As a result, you won’t see any unsightly connectors, snaps, or gaps that are visible on sectional gutters.
The aesthetically pleasing appearance of custom seamless gutters makes them a must-have for luxury homeowners seeking a flawless looking design. They can also be viewed as a selling point if you are planning to sell your home in the future.
2. Customizable
80% of all seamless gutters are constructed with colored or painted aluminum. While white is the most popular color choice, you can also choose from a variety of custom colors to match your home’s decor. For example, you can select black, cream, evergreen, copper metallic, or a number of other custom colors. If you would like to further customize your seamless gutters, you can explore options made with one of the following specialty materials:
- Copper: A growing number of new luxury homes feature seamless copper gutters. While they may cost more, they can last 50 years or more.
- Stainless Steel: Seamless stainless steel gutters offer superb strength and corrosion-resistance. They also have a clean, modern appearance.
- Zinc: Industry experts often point to zinc as the most durable gutter material. Zinc is also easy to recycle, making it a popular choice.
- Vinyl: Seamless gutters made with vinyl are lighter and less costly than copper, steel, or zinc. They also tend to be a bit less durable.
Customization opportunities are one of the greatest benefits of seamless gutters by homeowners who want their gutters to match their sense of style, and complement their home’s exterior. Because sectional gutters are prefabricated, they are often available in a more limited variety of colors and materials.
3. Fewer Clogs
Clogs and debris accumulation are the biggest headaches associated with traditional sectional gutters. As gutter sections can begin to separate over time, debris can become lodged in the gaps that develop between gutter sections. Unless the debris is removed, it can accumulate within the gutter causing a complete blockage. The end result is an inefficient drainage system that won’t properly channel water away from your home.
Seamless gutters can run for many feet without joints or seams, greatly reducing the risk of clogs. In fact, many seamless gutter systems are completely free of seams and joints with the exception of joints used to curve around the house and a downspout seam. This type of system promotes efficient drainage, and minimizes headaches for homeowners.
4. Superb Leak Resistance
The majority of gutter leaks occur with traditional sectional gutters. The leaks typically develop at gutter joints when two connected pieces of gutter become corroded or begin to separate. Rather than flowing through the gutter as intended, water begins leaking through the gaps in between the gutter’s prefabricated sections.
Because seamless gutters are essentially one long, continuous gutter without joints, the risk of leakage is greatly reduced. Water flows properly through the gutter system and descends through the downspout where it is channeled away from your property.
5. Less Mold and Rot
Due to their increased risk of leaks, sectional gutters are more likely to leave your home regularly exposed to moisture. After weeks and months of prolonged exposure to moisture, your property may begin to show signs of rot and mold. In addition to warranting costly repairs, rot and mold present health hazards to children and pets.
By minimizing leakage, seamless gutters help prevent moisture from accumulating on your home’s facade. This helps safeguard against unsightly and unhealthy rot, mold, and mildew on your home’s exterior. In this way, seamless gutters help reduce the total amount of money you spend on maintaining your home.
6. A Low Maintenance Design
Given the increased frequency of clogs, leaks, and mold, traditional sectional gutters require regular care and maintenance in order to function efficiently. They are also more prone to corrosion, especially at the seams. And because gaps can develop at the seams and joints, there is an increased likelihood that debris can become lodged between sections.
By design, seamless gutters eliminate most of these issues, making them a dream for homeowners seeking a low maintenance gutter option. While you should still plan to provide routine maintenance once or twice a year, you can say goodbye to the frequent days of hauling out your ladder and making the treacherous climb upward to “clean out the gutters.”
7. A Longer Lifespan
Seamless gutters have a much longer lifespan than sectional gutters. You can expect your seamless gutters to last 20 to 30 years with minimal maintenance. If you choose seamless gutters made from copper or zinc, you can expect your gutters to last two or three times as long with the proper care.
Prefabricated sectional styles, on the other hand, have a much shorter lifespan. You can expect new vinyl gutters to last 10 to 15 years, or a bit longer with sustained maintenance. At the end of the day, the longevity of seamless gutters makes them a winner for homeowners looking for a healthy return on their investment.
Summing Up the Benefits of Seamless Gutters
Seamless gutters may cost a bit more than traditional sectional gutters. However, their aesthetic appeal and return on your investment make the added cost well worth it. As you compare gutter options, be sure to remember the many benefits of seamless gutters – especially their long-term value and low maintenance design. By carefully evaluating your options before you purchase new gutters, you can move forward with confidence knowing you made an educated decision.
If you’re ready to speak to an expert about installing seamless gutters on your home, we encourage you to contact Advantage Construction today to learn more.
