Size (standard or oversized)
Materials
Warning Signs
What are seamless gutters? Seamless gutters are rain gutters created on-site with a gutter machine mounted to a service truck. The simple answer to the question what are seamless gutters, is they have no seams, and are custom measured and installed on-site in one continuous run.
The Brothers that just do Gutters offer seamless gutters in various materials including copper, aluminum, and galvalume. We also offer seamless gutters in both half-round and k-style.
Seamless Gutters VS. DIY Gutters
When we refer to DIY Gutters, we are talking about sectional gutters. To manufacture a seamless gutter, you need a professional grade gutter machine. DIY gutters (sectional) differ from seamless gutters because sectional gutters are installed in pieces and have seams, whereas, seamless gutters are exactly what they sound like, seamless.
When comparing seamless gutters vs. DIY gutters, there are some big differences between the two in these four major categories:
Installing A Seamless Gutter System
The biggest difference is installation. Seamless gutters are formed by rolling a metal sheet through a gutter forming machine on-site. The gutter is then secured to the side of the home in a continuous run.
Sectional gutters are much more difficult and time consuming to install. Sectional gutters, most commonly made of vinyl or plastic, are not available as a seamless gutter since these materials cannot be roll formed. When sectional gutters are installed, they must be joined together with miters to form the gutter run. The joints are then sealed using a sealing agent, such as caulk.
As a sectional gutter system is installed, each section must be mitered and sealed together making the installation process much longer. Wondering how hard a DIY gutter installation is? Find out HERE.
Security And Strengths Of A Seamless Gutter System
Seamless gutters are typically stronger simply because they do not have miters joining pieces together. The more seams a gutter system has, the higher the potential is for leaks. Since sectional gutters are typically sold and made in lighter materials, they are also less sturdy and more susceptible to damages.
Repair Ability Of Seamless Gutters
Repairing seamless gutters is more difficult since the entire gutter system will typically need to be replaced in the process of repair. However, if the gutter system simply comes off the house, often it can be saved.
Cost Comparison
You may assume that sectional gutters are less expensive than the cost of seamless gutters. But, the cost is actually nearly identical because of all the the extra pieces, caulking, and tools needing to complete a sectional gutter install. Also, because sectional gutters may be less sturdy and are often a DIY installation, they are not likely to last as long as seamless gutters. This may mean more costs in the future.
Size Of Seamless Aluminum Gutters
A 5-inch seamless aluminum gutter is considered standard, however oversized 6-inch seamless gutters are becoming increasingly more popular. Seamless aluminum gutters also come in even larger sizes, which are typically considered industrial or commercial gutters.
The difference between 5 inch and 6 inch gutters is their size, and the capacity of water they can hold. In cases where you often experience heavy rainfall and/or rain water is continually overshooting your gutter system, a 6” oversized seamless gutter system may be the best for your home.
In addition to climate, the roof line, surface area, and pitch of your roof are important factors in determining if you should install standard or oversized gutter system. Standard seamless gutters and oversized seamless gutters can also be interchanged within the same gutter job.
Overview of Seamless Gutters
Wondering how you can determine whether you will need standard 5” gutters or the 6” oversized gutters? Here are some qualifications.
Basic 5” Standard Seamless Gutter Qualifications:
- All gutter lengths under 40’ with at least 1 downspout
- Gutters over 40’ in length should have 2 downspouts
- Gutters do not overflow on regular or normal rains
- No upper roofs gutters should be draining into lower 5″ gutters
Basic 6” Oversized Seamless Gutter Qualifications
- Gutter lengths over 40’ that cannot have 2 downspouts
- Lower gutters that have upper gutters draining into them
- Long runs over 60’
- Rooflines with tremendous amounts of water concentrating to a small portion of gutter.
- Inside valleys where the water is flowing at great speed, and typically overflows during heavy rains.
If you are not sure whether you need new gutters, or a just simple repair to your current gutter system please visit the Warning Signs portion of our website.
