As time goes by, seamless gutters are becoming a synonym for resourcefulness, and that’s no happenstance. Seamless gutters are attractive for many reasons, beginning with their enhanced visual appeal and ending with their functionality at diminishing chances of leaks. This is all due to their single-unit structure that eliminates the joints that bind traditional gutters together. However, such a structure bears the question: How are seamless gutters connected? This is a reasonable question, because seamless gutters are fairly big and homeowners should be familiar with their mechanism before having them installed on their properties.
Why Are Seamless Gutters Called Seamless?
Seamless gutters are more resistant to adverse conditions than regular gutters and overall have a more appealing look. Their main distinction is that they’re not sectioned into multiple pieces and are instead installed in a single unit. Because of this, there are no seams connecting feet and feet of material, and this removes many of the structural malfunctions that affect traditional gutters. It also means that the water is redirected more efficiently towards the downspouts, without leaks affecting the gutter’s performance.
How Are Seamless Gutter Installed?
Seamless gutters make a substantial improvement when it comes to maintenance, making repairs less likely during their lifespan. For this to be the case, however, there is a lot of care that must go into the installation process. Unlike sectioned gutters, you can’t replace one part of a seamless gutter if there’s a malfunction. Being single units with no joints, seamless gutters have to be dismounted and replaced in full. This is obviously a big investment, so proper installation methods are key to enable the seamless gutters to exhibit the stability and durability they’re known for.
The process goes as follows:
- On your appointment day, your gutter installer will bring the materials for your gutters and the portable equipment to build the gutter system on site. Your gutters will be manufactured according to a strict set of measurements, depending on the size of your property and your roof’s pitch.
- Seamless gutters can run for many feet without joints, but they still have a seam that connects them to downspout. Also, larger gutters that run around a building need a seam on each angle change, most likely at every corner. These are all factors that must be addressed prior to manufacturing the guttering system. All in all, the total amount of seams is much smaller when compared to traditional gutters, adding to both their esthetic and their functional value.
- The gutters are attached to the fascia, leaving no space between the roof’s edge. They are secured using brackets and straps, with many contractors installing hangers that support the gutters from below and go unnoticed at a casual glance. The mechanism connecting the gutters to the curves and downspouts is no different from the methods used with traditional gutter joints, usually securing the ends with the screws or nails and standard gutter sealant.
When installed properly they offer the following advantages:
- Fewer leaks
- Fewer instances of contraction and expansion
- Fewer risks of spillage
- An enhanced visual appeal
- A simple, quicker maintenance process
- Increased durability
What Are Seamless Gutters Made From?
Aluminum is the most common material used to build seamless gutters, and you can see why after understanding the distinction between a seamless system and a sectioned gutter. The installation process is more demanding because seamless gutters are meant to be more versatile, remaining steady on their own, whereas traditional gutters use their joints to gain more stability.
When it comes to versatility and efficiency an aluminum gutter is a sound choice. These gutter systems can carry large amounts of water throughout the longest and most intense rainstorms. Moreover, seamless aluminum gutters can be customized to fit the most complex layouts without losing stability or disrupting the structure they’re attached to. Galvanized steel and vinyl are probably the most recurring alternatives when aluminum is not an option.
What Size Do Seamless Gutters Come In?
When it comes to the right size, it all depends on the building’s dimensions and the roof’s design. The good thing is that seamless gutters allow customization options to ensure there are no misalignments once they are set in place. Residential buildings usually need the gutters to be 5-inches or 6-inches wide, the latter being the best alternatives in areas where intense precipitation could render a smaller gutter ineffective.
Are Seamless Gutters More Expensive?
The installation of a seamless gutter system is indeed pricier when compared to regular gutters. The main reasons are that seamless gutters are expected to last longer and there is a specific process that allows that outcome. Let’s take an in-depth look at all the reasons that make seamless gutters more expensive.
First of all, seamless gutter installation requires a lot more skill and a solid technique. The contractor needs to build one single unit according to a specific set of measurements. Even with the necessary equipment helping along the way, it’s up to the installer to build, assemble, and install the gutters. If a part of the gutters doesn’t fit properly or starts malfunctioning, you can’t just remove that section alone, the whole gutter needs to be replaced with a new piece. So, part of the costs goes into having a specialist with the skills to ensure the best outcome.
How Long Do Seamless Gutters Last?
When properly installed, seamless rain gutters can last decades without demanding anything beyond regular maintenance. The costs you cover for the actual installation will ultimately result in money saved throughout the years. When you install regular rain gutters, you need to be ready to make multiple repairs in the course of the gutter’s lifespan, so it’s all a matter of when and how you want to spend the money you’ve saved for your rain gutter system.
Are Seamless Gutters More Expensive If You Hire A Gutter Company?
Having your gutters installed by a professional will always involve higher prices, especially if you go for seamless gutters. This is to be expected as most companies recommend against trying DIY installation when it comes to seamless systems.
The fact is, seamless gutters are a better long-term solution. On top of all the practical advantages mentioned, seamless gutters are easier to customize depending on the building’s layout, adding versatility and a visual appeal that traditional gutters struggle to achieve.
At 805 Gutters we offer the most sophisticated rain guttering system to protect your property. We install rain gutters in different sizes and styles to protect your home from leaks, spillage, and decay, keeping the rainwater running safely down your downspouts and away from your foundation. We offer all the design options you can ask for, and can assist you with any repairs so you can preserve your rain guttering system well beyond their lifespan.