Gutter Install. Safeguard and improve the look ofyour home with high quality gutters. Have Lowe'sprofessionals install it by calling1-800-GO-LOWES.
A gutter installation for the common home willusually take between 1-4 hours. Custom homes are generallyin the 3-8 hour range. Most people carry the misconception that thejob takes days, so hopefully these estimates are a pleasantsurprise, especially compared to the time you'd spend on a“DIY” gutter installation.
Unfortunately, although the vinyl is much lessexpensive than aluminum, it also does not have nearly aslong of a lifespan. The last difference is the fact that vinylgutters are installed in sections, but aluminum guttersare seamless. Therefore, aluminum gutters are less prone toleak.
However, many homeowners believe that the highseamless gutters cost is worth it because seamlessgutters are easier to maintain. Investing in seamlessgutters can also increase the overall value of your home andgive your roof the ventilation it needs to safeguard from rot andshingle damage.
Here are the three best types of gutters for yourhome:
- Vinyl Gutters. Vinyl gutters have become one of the mostpopular choices for gutter systems.
- Aluminum Gutters. Another popular type of gutter is one made ofaluminum.
- Stainless Steel Gutters.
New gutters are one of the few homeimprovements that will increase the value of yourhome. Installing new gutters can raise your home'svalue because it increases the lifespan and functionality ofyour home and adds cosmetic appeal.
Unless your roof slopes in all directions, you probablydon't need your house surrounded with gutters.You do need them at the bottom of any slope, though. Yourroof is already constructed to direct water down the slopes, wherethe gutters will then do their work.
So as a rule of thumb, your rain gutter systemshould have one downspout for every 30' – 40' ofgutter. For runs of over 40' but less than 60', thegutters should be installed with the high point in themiddle of the gutter run and a downspout at eachend.
Most residential rain gutters come in twosizes, 5 inch and 6 inch, and are made of either aluminum,galvanized steel or copper in a standard "K" style. The typical 5inch K-style gutter comes with 2 inch x 3 inchdownspouts.
Although 5″ is considered the standard sizefor residential seamless gutters, many homeowners areupgrading to 6″ over sized gutters. Though a6″ gutter is only an inch bigger it doeshandle 40% more water. The over sized downspout installedwith these gutters can also handle more debrispassing through them.
Gutter Helmet® is a patented gutterprotection system that installs right over your existinggutters. It blocks leaves, pine needles and other debris outof your gutters while allowing rainwater to flow into yourgutters freely. Gutter Helmet® is engineered tolast a lifetime.
Vinyl Gutter Pros
The number one reason that most people like to usevinyl gutters on their homes is how inexpensive they are.The other biggest advantage to using vinyl gutters is howlow maintenance they are. They don't dent or ding the way thatmetal gutters do, and they nevercorrode.How Many Downspouts Do I Need? A general rule ofthumb is one downspout per 20 feet of guttering, but moremay be necessary depending on the local weather, the size of thedrainage area and the design of the gutter system.
Seamless gutters are usually made from aluminum,but they can be made from copper. They are made with a seamlessgutter machine that is brought to your home by thegutter contractor. Over time these sections form leaks inthe seams and can cause wood rot behind thegutter.
Repairs and re-painting your gutters can be anexpensive headache as well. While it is usually best to havea new gutter system installed after your roof,sometimes this is not possible. If your gutters are damagedor ineffective, you may have no other choice but tohave them installed before your new roofingsystem.
Cleaning Gutters
- Begin cleaning the gutter near a downspout.
- Remove the large debris (leaves, twigs, etc.) with a trowel anddump it in a bucket.
- To clean out finer materials, flush the gutter lengths with ahose starting at the end opposite the downspout.
A permanent solution you should consider isinstalling drip edge. Drip edge gets installedunder the first course of shingles and promotes water torun freely from roof edge down into gutter. Withoutit, water may run down behind your gutter, downfascia board and siding, leading to potentialdamage.
8 Alternatives to Rain Gutters You'll Be Surprised to KnowAbout
- Did You Know? It has been found that dry leaves trapped in arain gutter pose a fire risk, especially in a wildfire-pronearea.
- Rain gutters are vital for collecting rainwater and directingit away from a building.
- Rain Gutter Alternatives.
- Copper Gutters.
- Rain Chains.
- Rain Dispersal Systems.
- Grading.
- Drip Edge.
Here are some guidelines for placement ofdownspouts:
- As a general rule at least one downspout should be placed perevery 40 linear feet of gutter.
- Downspouts should not discharge where water may pool close tothe house and foundation.
The most common gutter sizes are 5 inches and 6inches, although 4 inches is available as well. Downspouts arecommonly 2 x 3 inches and 3 x 4 inches in size or 3 or 4inches in diameter.
Roof drip edge flashing cornerdetail
The best way is to install the roof drip edgeonly along the eaves first, then place ice-and-water barrier (inthe snowbelt) or felt paper (underlayment) over the dripedge. This lets any water that gets on the roof run down theunderlayment and over the drip edge.This means that the average home, containingaround 200 feet of gutters will require at least 6 downspoutinstallations. According to the website for Better Homes andGardens the pricing on downspouts will range from $9.70 to$10.20 for galvanized steel 1, $4.80 to $7 for aluminum,and $5 to $8 for vinyl 2".
A new seamless gutter will cost you between $3and $25 per foot, depending on your choice ofmaterial.
A gutter installation for the common home willusually take between 1-4 hours. Custom homes are generallyin the 3-8 hour range. Most people carry the misconception that thejob takes days, so hopefully these estimates are a pleasantsurprise, especially compared to the time you'd spend on a“DIY” gutter installation.
Most gutter systems, including galvanized steeland aluminum gutters, have an expected lifespan of 20 years.Copper gutters can last twice that long, witha serviceable life of 50 years or more.
