Regardless of whether you decide on a seamless or a regular gutter system, you’re aiming to protect your home from serious water damage problems that are extremely expensive to repair. 

Choosing the right gutter system will go a long way to protect your home’s siding, windows, trim, basement, foundation, and landscaping. But which type is best? We outline the benefits and downsides of each type so you’ll be able to make the right choice for your property.

Seamless Gutters

As you’ll see, there are many more benefits to seamless gutters than there are downsides. Take a look at the pros and cons to see if seamless gutters are the best choice for your home or building.

Pros of Seamless Gutters 

  • Custom-made onsite: A contractor measures and custom manufactures the continuous gutter onsite.
  • Seamless from one corner of the building to the other: The gutter is manufactured to exactly fit from one corner of the building to the other.
  • Have a longer lifespan than regular gutters: Seamless gutters last much longer because they are made with more durable materials.
  • Sturdier and stronger so have less of a tendency to sag: The more durable materials and stronger fastening system prevent sagging.
  • Far less prone to gathering debris, clogging, and leaking: Because there are no joints, debris doesn’t collect, making seamless gutters less likely to clog or leak. Water flows more easily toward and down the downspouts. 
  • Require less maintenance than regular gutters: Seamless gutters have a continuous smooth run of material and lack the many joints that need constant maintenance with regular gutters.
  • Can be made in a variety of sizes to accommodate roof pitch and amount of rainfall: From 5″ gutters to much larger sizes and profiles, seamless gutters are custom made to allow for various roof pitches, light to heavy rainfall, and weather conditions that are unique to your particular region.
  • Add value to a property: Their custom-made appearance, long life, low maintenance, and superior protection against water damage are features that add significant value to a property.
  • More uniform, attractive appearance: Because there are no sections that can potentially sag and leak, seamless gutters have a smoother appearance that is uniform and enhances a home’s architectural lines.
  • Available in a wide range of colors to match or enhance your roof, trim, or siding: You can select from colors that either match or colors that accent your home’s features.
  • Tend to pay for themselves over the years due to lower maintenance and fewer repairs: While seamless gutters cost more upfront, a homeowner will pay much less in maintenance costs over the long life of the gutter system.

Cons of Seamless Gutters 

  • Are not suited for DIY installation and must be installed by a professional contractor: Seamless gutters are manufactured on site by an experienced contractor who has the special gutter machine to create each continuous gutter length with your specified material.
  • Requires a special machine: As described above, seamless gutters are custom manufactured with special machines according to the length, size, and profile of the gutter required.
  • Require several people to install because of length and weight: Because the continuous seamless gutter can potentially be as long as 40 feet or more, several people are required to handle and install the gutters. Also, because seamless gutters are typically made with heavier gauge steel, aluminum, or copper, the manufactured piece will be heavier than a 10- or 20-foot regular gutter section.
  • Costs more than a regular gutter system: The upfront cost of a seamless gutter system is a bit more expensive than regular gutters.

Regular Gutters

Regular gutters are also known as sectioned or traditional gutters. They are manufactured in pre-cut 10- or 20-foot sections. 

Pros of Regular Gutters 

  • Readily available at home improvement centers: Most big box stores and home improvement centers carry regular gutters but certain colors or materials are only available through special order.
  • Easy to assemble and install by experienced handyman or homeowner: Experienced DIYers can usually assemble regular gutters easily.
  • More affordable than seamless gutters: The upfront cost of regular gutters, again depending on the color and material, is usually cheaper than the cost of seamless gutters. But you’ll need to factor in the cost of joining the sections by soldering, welding, and caulk, and ongoing maintenance effort and costs.

Cons of Regular Gutters

  • Have a shorter lifespan: Because they have so many joints that can fail over time, a weaker fastening system that can lead to sagging and overflows, and lighter weight material than seamless gutters, the lifespan of regular gutters is shorter.
  • Cut sections need to be sealed and welded or soldered at joints: At every joint, the cut must be sealed to prevent leakage. Regular metal sections can be welded or soldered. Vinyl sections are caulked. Any type of sealed joint will fail over time, especially in extreme weather.
  • Tend to clog with debris and leak easily: Debris collects at joint connectors and if it isn’t cleaned out regularly, the debris allows for cozy vermin homes and eventual leaks and overflows.
  • Tend to sag, especially at joints or between brackets: Regular gutters are attached to trim or siding with brackets. If the gutter handles large volumes of rain, the brackets can weaken and the gutter section will sag. Sagging also occurs when joints develop holes and leaks.
  • Require constant maintenance: Regular gutters require constant maintenance in order to protect your roof, siding, and foundation. Leaves, needles, animal nests, and roof debris need to be cleaned out on a regular basis. Joints need to be inspected to make sure they’re strong and don’t have holes. Steel gutters need to be painted regularly so they won’t rust. Brackets need to be checked to make sure they’re secure enough to support the gutter when it’s heavy with rain.

Pros and Cons of Gutter Materials

Now that you’re familiar with the pros and cons of seamless and regular gutters, it’s important to select the right gutter material for your weather conditions, amount of rainfall, and budget. 

Steel

  • Pros: Steel is the strongest gutter material and is good for extreme weather conditions.
  • Cons: Steel can rust and it is harder to install because of its weight and need for soldering at joints.

Aluminum

  • Pros: Aluminum is lightweight but strong. Aluminum is finished with an enamel coating that is available in a wide range of colors.
  • Cons: If the protective enamel coating isn’t maintained, aluminum gutters can pit and corrode, especially in coastal locations. Heavy hail or snow can dent aluminum.

Copper

  • Pros: Copper is beautiful, strong, and doesn’t rust.
  • Cons: Copper gutters are expensive and only available in a seamless system. The entire gutter system – fasteners, nails, screws, etc. must also be made of copper. 

Vinyl

  • Pros: Vinyl is becoming more and more popular because it doesn’t rust, doesn’t require painting, is simple to install, and is economical. Some vinyl sections snap together for quick DIY installation but this material can also be used for seamless gutters.
  • Cons: Vinyl is the least durable of all gutter materials. It lacks strength and durability so isn’t well-suited to ice and snow loads. It’s also susceptible to cracking and becomes brittle from constant exposure to the sun.

Whether you’re looking for a fast, economical DIY gutter solution or prefer to go with custom seamless gutters, now you’re prepared to make an informed choice!

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Spout Gutter Pros has already vetted the most trustworthy gutter installers so you don’t have to. Licensed and insured experts know how to do the job efficiently and professionally. Regular or seamless gutters – find the best at Spout Gutter Pros – and request a free quote today!