Metal gutters are known for their durability and long lifespan. If you’re leaning toward metal gutters, you may want to know which is a better choice for your home – steel or aluminum?
As you’re checking out all the pros and cons between steel and aluminum, you’ll also want to know that both types are available with traditional seams and also in seamless.
Seamed metal gutters are manufactured in sections and then joined with rivets and soldering. Seamless gutters are custom-made onsite at your home to fit the exact measurements of your roofline. Eventually, any seam will begin to weaken so seamed gutters require more maintenance than seamless. Seamless gutters tend to cost about twice as much as seamed. Spout Gutter Pros has more information on both types.
Steel or aluminum – the ultimate choice will depend on the climate where you live, the conditions around your home, and your budget. To help sort out any confusion you may have between steel or aluminum gutters, here are the pros and cons of each:
The Pros and Cons of Steel Gutters
Steel gutters are available in stainless steel or galvanized and as mentioned above, you can choose traditional seamed or seamless. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of both types:
Stainless Steel Gutters
The Pros
- Durable and Long Lasting: Stainless steel gutters are exceptionally strong and long-lasting. They’re so strong that you can lean a ladder against them without the worry of dents or damage.
- Stands up Well in Four Season Climates: The strength of stainless steel gives it the ability to stand up to weather challenges like snow, ice, wind, heavy downpours, and hail.
- Remain Shiny and Beautiful for Many Years: Stainless steel is unique among gutter metals in that its sheen and brilliance don’t require polishing or special upkeep. It’s the chromium in stainless steel that prevents oxidation and dulling to the finish.
- Rustproof: Not only is stainless steel rustproof, but it also resists corrosion thanks to the mix of iron, nickel, silicon, and chromium alloys. Galvanized steel, on the other hand, can rust.
- Low Maintenance: The only maintenance required is periodic gutter cleaning to prevent debris build-up. If you add gutter guards, much of the debris is prevented from entering the gutter system.
The Cons
- Heavy and Expensive: Stainless steel gutters are some of the heaviest gutters available. Their weight requires heavier fittings and hangers. The costly materials and need for experienced labor add to the overall expense. In general, stainless steel gutters cost up to three times as much as other gutter types.
- Requires Professional Installation: Not only is stainless steel an expensive metal to manufacture, but skilled pros need to handle the installation.
- Fewer Style Choices: Some homeowners want durability and strength but don’t like the shine of stainless steel, so prefer a colored finish. However, stainless steel gutters are available in fewer styles and color choices than other types of gutters.
Galvanized Steel Gutters
The Pros
- Durable and Long Lasting: While not as long-lasting as stainless steel, galvanized steel gutters are coated with zinc to add strength and rust resistance. Galvanized steel gutters are strong, dent- and weather-resistant.
- Stand Up Well in Four Season Climates: Galvanized steel gutters can hold up to extreme temperature changes without warping or cracking.
- Many Color and Style Choices: You can select from traditional sectioned galvanized steel gutters in a range of profiles, sizes, and colors. Or, for a truly custom look, you can choose seamless galvanized steel gutters.
The Cons
- The Zinc Coating Can Wear: If a galvanized steel gutter is scratched, say by tree limbs or a leaning ladder, the zinc coating can be compromised and rust can start to grow and spread. Therefore, it’s wise to inspect galvanized steel gutters on a regular basis.
- Require Professional Installation: Galvanized steel is heavy and a crew is required to lift sections, secure them in place, and seal joints.
- Maintenance: To prevent rust and leaking, galvanized steel gutters must be regularly maintained. Scratching from tree limbs and clumps of soggy leaf debris can lead to rust and leaking. Seams and joints must be inspected and gutters cleaned out periodically.
- Cost: Although more expensive than aluminum, galvanized steel is more durable and longer-lasting. The heavier weight and requirement for an experienced crew add up to higher installation costs.
The Pros and Cons of Aluminum Gutters
Aluminum gutters are the most popular type of metal gutter. Let’s find out why – and we’ll also review what the disadvantages are.
The Pros
- Affordability: The cost of aluminum gutters depends on the thicknesses and quality of the metal. Although they are more expensive than vinyl, aluminum gutters are less expensive than steel, zinc, or copper. Be sure to factor in the aluminum’s durability, resistance to damage, and lifespan when comparing the cost of vinyl to aluminum gutters.
- Lightweight: Because aluminum is a light metal, installation is easier than with steel. Consequently, labor costs are cheaper than they are with other heavier metals such as steel and zinc.
- Durable and Doesn’t Rust: Aluminum is known to be a strong metal that’s long-lasting and rust-proof.
- Available in a Variety of Colors: If you want to match your gutters to your roof color, fascia, or siding – or even if you want a gutter color to accent your home’s exterior – you’ll have many colors to choose from. Although they can be painted, when you select new aluminum gutters, the color you choose is applied in a powder-coated enamel finish at the factory.
- Low Maintenance: The basic twice-a-year maintenance routine is basically all that is required. What that means is that you’ll clean our debris and repair any cracks or holes.
The Cons
- Can Corrode: Aluminum gutters aren’t recommended in coastal areas because salty sea air can corrode the metal.
- Can Expand and Contract: In temperature extremes, aluminum will expand and contract, leading to potential separation at joints and seams.
- Can Dent: Dents can result from falling tree limbs, leaning ladders, errant baseballs, and more. Dents can cause debris back-up and overflows. If you’re surrounded by trees or a rookie pitcher who lives next door, steel gutters will be a better choice.
- Can Chip: Over time, the powder-coated finish can begin to weaken and chip. Any bare aluminum will need to be painted to keep the metal protected.
- Requires Experienced Installer: Although a highly experienced DIYer can install traditional seamed aluminum gutters, it’s not an easy job for the average homeowner. And because a special machine is required, seamless aluminum gutters must be installed by an experienced professional.
When making a decision about the best gutters for your home, there’s a lot to think about. Spout Gutter Pros describes all the various gutter materials, their advantages and downsides, and helps you find a reputable professional installer near your home.
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Now that you know which is the right gutter to protect your home from water damage, it’s time to find an expert installer you can trust. At Spout Gutter Pros, we’ve already vetted the best licensed and insured professionals near you. Why wait? Get a free quote right now!
