What's the Best Gutter Type for Your Home?

Seamless Aluminum Gutters

Vinyl Gutters

Copper Gutters

Vinyl vs. Aluminum vs. Steel vs. Copper Gutters..

Which one is right for you and your home?

If you're here, you're likely getting new gutters, right? Rest assured, you've come to the right place to find out everything you need to know before calling the right gutter contractor for you.

Before we begin, let's break this down into two categories: Functionality & Preference. If you're looking for something to get the job done, stick to options 1 & 2. If you fancy the curb appeal and are looking to invest for durability and prestige, read on to options 3 &4. Make sure to read the Additional Considerations section at the bottom before you go!

1. Vinyl- Cheapest you can find, but highly not recommended! It may seem like a budget-friendly option at first glance, but don't expect these plastic gutters to last more than a few years. Also, vinyl gutters come in 10 foot sections - meaning anything over 10 ft would have seams to connect them together. Known for it's poor durability and tendency to crack, most gutter contractors won't even have this material as an option and if they do, beware!

Oh, and just as a side note - for some unexplained reason, squirrels really like to use these as their chew toy. Install these if you must, but we can guarantee you'll regret it and end up having to replace these frequently, costing you more in the long run.

*Pro: Cheap, DIY

*Con: Not recommended; Unreliable; Cracks Easily; Squirrel chew toy; NOT SEAMLESS Not cost-efficient in the long run

2. Aluminum- This is the happy medium that you can't go wrong with. Most recommended by contractors and popular among homeowners, aluminum is the gutter of choice that not only gets the job done, but also has the capability to be made to color-match your home. If your gutter contractor can't offer that to you, keep looking.

Depending on the thickness of the gutter (we use .32) , thinner aluminum is susceptible to dents and dings with the inevitable wear and tear from the elements (hail, ladders, etc) over the years, but this type of material will give you the biggest bang for your buck and provide you with a reliable system that's sure to last you years.

The largest upside to aluminum gutters is that aluminum does not rust and are can be made seamless (unless you buy 10 foot sectional pieces from a hardware store). All gutters will be 1 piece per length - manufactured right at your property for a custom fit.

*Pro: Affordable gutter system; Biggest bang for your buck; Reliable gutter system; Most recommended gutter type; Capability to color-match your home, SEAMLESS, never rusts; Winner

*Con: Not as durable as steel and copper, hail damage and ladder damage is more noticeable

To Take Things up a Notch..

3. Steel- These are much stronger in quality and durability than aluminum gutters, and you'll certainly see it reflect in the cost. Expect to pay at least an additional 30% of the cost of aluminum gutters. However, if you've found your "forever home", like the prestige of the steel look, and the cost is in your budget, this may be the right fit for you and worth the investment in the long run.

Side note: If you opt for this material, make sure you get galvanized steel. Unlike traditional steel that is very prone to rusting (especially if you receive a lot of rain & humidity in your area), galvanized steel can stand against the elements without rusting considerably longer - up to 30-40 years.

Here at Colorado Gutter Company, galvanized is the only kind of steel gutters we install.

*Pro: Durable; Rust-Resistant (if galvanized) ; More prestigious curb-appeal than options 1&2.

*Con: Expect to pay more, does rust sooner

4. Copper- This is the highest quality that money can buy when it comes to gutters. Accordingly, so is the price. Highly durable and impressively beautiful. Expect to pay a lump sum for this type, but keep in mind that it also increases the value of your home, so satisfying your taste for the finer things may actually work out in your favor, in this case!

If you've got a historic or a high-value home, this type of gutter will give your home the kind of curb appeal you want.

To preserve the natural copper appearance, talk to your gutter contractor about sealants and how to properly maintain these. But if you prefer the patina look like most people, you can forgo the protective sealants and let nature take it's course.

*Pro: Most durable gutter; More prestigious curb-appeal than options 1&2.

*Con: Expect to pay more; Need for maintenance

Additional Considerations:

Whether you choose to pay for your new gutters piece by piece, or as the project as a whole, make sure you get seamless gutters, also known as continuous gutters, installed. You can read more about what the difference is between sectional vs. seamless gutters are on our blog and website.

To sum it up in a nutshell, however, just think of it as one long continuous line of gutter vs. a hodge-podge of various pre-cut sections pieced together. With seamless gutters, leaks and cracks are less likely and require less maintenance in the long run.

This is why, with the benefit of our customer in mind, we install only seamless gutters rather than sectional - and in any of the gutter metals listed.

If you're wondering "How much do new gutters cost", please read our other blogs where we educate you on that!

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