Gutter Installation Cost

Gutters are more important than people realize. Aside from keeping water off the roof, their primary purpose is to prevent mold, mildew, and other water damage. Of course, its decorative element to houses comes in handy to make sure that functionality and style come together.

How Do Gutters Work?

Gutters work by keeping the house in place by directing rainwater away from your siding and foundation. Gutters are usually installed under the edge of the roof to catch rainwater as it streams down the roof’s surface. Afterward, the gutters direct the rainwater to the edge of the roof and into downspouts which look like vertical sectionals. These downspouts bring the water into a drainage system that relocates the water away from the house’s foundation.

Gutters can also be designed in an eco-friendly system that channels the water into tanks for gardening especially during the summer seasons. This is a smart way to use the rainwater than just letting it go down the drain, and it also saves homeowners some time as an extra hand in maintaining their gardens.

Factors Affecting Gutter Installation Cost

Gutter installation costs would vary depending if it is a new installation or just a replacement to the existing ones. Removal of gutters and downspouts will take extra labor since there will be a need for assessment of the damage or repairs needed to be done to the ones in place.

After this, the majority of the total cost will be determined by the chosen gutter material, labor, and other materials needed for the installation.

Even though often overlooked, having a properly installed gutter is a vital part of home maintenance. Moisture can quickly build up on the roof and around the house’s foundation without a good gutter which will soon lead to costly repairs—not just to the roof but possibly to the entire house.

If the house is newly constructed, make sure that the gutters are installed properly and make not to cheap on the materials used. On the other hand, if the house’s gutter system is due for repair due to wear and tear, it is important to tend to it as soon as possible. The best option is to contact a gutter replacement professional, but for those who are on a tight budget, there are also resources to help figure out the repairs needed and to install a new one correctly and efficiently.

Gutter Installation Materials

The overall cost of gutter installation project depends largely on the material you choose. Homeowners can choose among the following materials: aluminum, copper, steel, and vinyl, all of which come at different price points. To decide which material might be right fit for one’s house, listed below is a breakdown of the pros, cons, and estimate cost for each type.

• Aluminum Gutters: If the homeowners is looking for a relatively low cost and durable material, using an aluminum gutter is one of the best choices. Aluminum, however, is not as durable than steel because of its lightweight component.
• Copper Gutters: Coppers are known for its durability as it can hold up for many years. It is also known to be a high-end choice that looks beautiful on a variety of house designs and styles. This explains why copper is also more expensive than other materials.
• Vinyl Gutters: Using vinyl for gutters is the most affordable option. Although, vinyl won’t last as long as other materials in this list so regular repairs must be scheduled down the line.
• Galvanized Steel Gutters: When it comes to durability, using steel is probably the best choice for homeowners. Steel gutters cost ranges a little differently per linear foot according to location.

New gutters in sections or in a seamless piece can be purchased from your local supplier. Oftentimes, gutters are sold in several segments of different lengths, which are then being assembled before installation. Among these options, sectional gutters are the more affordable option and it is also better for maintenance since one section can be replaced rather than replacing an entire seamless piece.

Seamless gutters can also be bought as one long strip to fit the width of the house. They are usually more expensive than sectional gutters because they last longer and hold up better because of the lack of vulnerable points where seams are connected. The downside is, if any part of the gutter becomes damaged, the entire thing must then be replaced.

Whatever homeowners have decided among these gutter style options, it is always a good idea to confirm labor rates with a contractor ahead of time. There are also other trendy styles these days such as k-style gutters and half round gutters that can be a viable option for homeowners. Professional contractors will have to measure the roof and siding before beginning the installation of the gutters and complete the installation project.

Labor Costs

Installing a new gutter is usually a job best left to a professional. People who do it for a living have the right tools required for installation and will also be able to remove and dispose the old gutters on your behalf. Gutters might often be overlooked but homeowners would want to make sure it is done right the first time. Dealing with costly repairs after a water damage during a bad weather day is something no homeowner would want to experience.

Labor costs to install gutters typically include removal of any existing gutter and downspout in addition to reinstallation of both. For a newly constructed house, this part is usually part of the initial construction project. Variations in the labor costs depend on various factors such as the quality of materials, the other type of products installed, and labor costs in the location.

Additional Materials

In addition to the gutter materials and labor costs, homeowners might want to factor in various enhancements. Home improvement projects include accessories that homeowners might find useful such as downspout screens, heat tape, and gutter guards are some of the items that will likely be worth it moving forward.

Downspout Screen

Downspout screens are usually installed on the house’s rain gutter just above the downspout to prevent debris from clogging it up such as leaves and other elements. This is a very affordable accessory and will greatly improve the function of the installed gutters, allowing water to flow away from the house.

Maintenance and gutter cleaning will be a breeze with the addition of some accessories down the line.

Heat Tape

If the house is situated in a location that experiences a lot of snow, installing a heat tape on the gutters will be a good investment. This accessory helps in preventing snow and ice from building up in the gutters using a heating element that can be turned on in freezing weather. The heat tape will keep the water flowing away from the house so clogging or flooding can be avoided. Although, this functionality requires energy to operate, so just watch out for a higher gas or electric bill during the cold season.

Gutter Guards

Again, to help prevent clogging from leaves and debris or ice jams in cold weather, gutter guards are placed above the installed gutters. Gutter guards do not usually come standard with new gutters and are often made of plastic or wire mesh. It is a wise choice to have gutter guards installed right away, as it helps a lot in maintenance moving forward.

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