Gutters are an important part of a roof Houston home. They are designed to channel rain water and melted snow that has collected on the roof down to the
gutters so it does not stain or damage the siding on the house. The following are some of the most common types of gutters.
Wood Gutters – Wood gutters were a popular system used for re-routing rain water coming from roof-tops, however, because wood is an organic material, it is does not last very long. With so many durable gutter materials available now, the use of wood gutters is declining although they are still used on renovations of historic houses.
Vinyl Gutters – One of the most popular materials used for gutters today is vinyl. Compared to other materials such as aluminum or stainless steel, vinyl is not the most durable. It is preferred by most roofers and homeowners because it is light weight, easy to install, and is the most affordable type of gutter material available on the market today. The only downside about using vinyl is that because it is made out of synthetic material, it can grow brittle and crack over time from exposure to UV rays and extreme cold.
Aluminum Gutters – Another cost efficient gutter material is aluminum. Similar to vinyl gutters, aluminum gutters are very light weight, easy to handle, easy to install, and highly resistant to corrosion. Unlike vinyl, it is weather resistant and more durable. Although aluminum is easy to handle because it is soft and malleable, this is in fact one of its disadvantages. Aluminum is not structurally strong and can be easily misshapen.
Seamless Gutters – When opting for aluminum gutters, homeowners can also choose between sectional or seamless rain gutters. Most rain gutters are available only in sections; however. aluminum gutters can be custom-made in one single piece. The main advantage of using a seamless gutter is that it will never develop any leaks since there are no sections that are connected by sealants that could fail. The seamless option does come at a higher cost; however, it is guaranteed to last longer than most of its counterparts.
Steel Gutters – Compared to gutters made from aluminum, gutters fabricated from steel are much more durable and sturdy. They can withstand falling tree branches or weight from a leaning ladder and do not get damaged by extremely hot or cold climates. The only disadvantage to using steel gutters is that they are much more expensive to install and corrode easily. With several coats of primer, steel gutters are able to withstand rusting and have a very long service life with little maintenance.
Stainless Steel Gutters – For a virtually indestructible gutter, stainless steel material can be used. Stainless steel is unarguably the best type of gutter material. It can withstand the most extreme weather conditions and corrosion. Structure wise, gutters made from stainless steel are hard to bend or fold. The only downside of stainless steel is its high installation cost. The price is reasonable since stainless steel sheets are very expensive and the fabrication and installation of this hard metal takes a large amount of time and labor.
Before choosing which type of rain gutter to install, it is best to consult a roof Houston specialist as they can help determine the best material for any roof or budget. Having professional roofers help select and install the gutters will just about guarantee a long lasting life span. It will indeed be the best decision ever made about gutters!