FAQs About Seamless Gutters
What are seamless gutters and are they the right choice for your home? If your home's existing gutters are old, worn, or damaged, take a look at what you need to know about the seamless replacement options.
What Are Gutters?
All gutters serve a purpose. They divert water away from your home when it rains or when ice and snow melt. Without gutters, the exterior of your home, the foundation, and your windows could easily leak. By directing water away from your home, gutters prevent moisture-related damage, wood rot, and mold growth.
While all gutters serve the same purpose, they differ in terms of shape, material makeup, and structure. Common residential gutters include seamed (also known as sectional), seamless, half-round, K-style, and box styles.
Gutters are also available in a variety of materials. These include galvanized steel, aluminum, and copper. The specific type of material used depends on the style and structure of the gutter.
How Are Seamless Gutters Different?
What makes a seamless gutter different from your home's existing gutter system? Provided your home doesn't already have seamless gutters, this type of product differs from the gutters that are already on your house in one major way—as the name implies, there are no seams. Instead of sections that an installer joins together, seamless gutters are one continuous system that spans the entire roof of your house.
Why Should You Choose Seamless Gutters?
Seamless and seamed gutters often have a similar aesthetic. This means you can choose either option for the same types of exterior home designs. But some homeowners do prefer the sleek or clean look of a seamless product—especially if the house has a contemporary or modern style of architecture.
Even though you can select either type of gutter, seamless products offer some benefits you won't find with seamed models. Without joints to seal, seamless gutters are quite leak-resistant—provided the gutters don't sustain damage from hail, other storm-related elements, or flying objects.
This means there is less of a water-damage risk with seamless gutters compared to a traditional seamed option.
It's also not likely that seamless gutters will sustain serious damage, crack, or break. Joints are weak points in a gutter system. While a contractor will connect the joints completely, the structure of this type of system makes it possible for the seals to break during an impact or with extensive wear.
Not only do seamless gutters reduce the risk of leaks, but these systems are also often more durable than other types of gutters and lower maintenance. You won't have to worry about resealing the joints or replacing sections as the gutters wear.
Are Seamless Gutters More Expensive Than Seamed Gutters?
In general, the answer to this question is yes. Seamless systems often have a greater initial cost than a seamed gutter option would. But this doesn't mean that the overall price you pay for seamless gutters will outweigh the costs related to other types of products.
You could recoup some of the money you spend on the gutters and installation if you sell your home in the near future. The high durability, low maintenance, and almost leak-proof structure make seamless gutters a selling point. Likewise, the crisp, seam-free aesthetic is a style that buyers may prize.
Not only could you potentially recoup some of your initial costs through a home sale, but you may also save money over time in repair and maintenance-related expenses. Again, seamless gutters are less likely than seamed gutters to require repairs or re-seals.
Do you want to learn more about seamless gutters and installation options? Contact Allstate Gutter & Siding for more information.
