Your Guide to Gutters: Make the Right Choice for Your Home

Rain gutters play an important role when it comes to keeping your home safe and dry. They funnel rain and snowmelt from the roof, directing it away from your siding and foundation.  

You don’t need to become a gutter specialist to find the right rain gutters for your home. However, learning a few things about gutters and gutter installation will help you make an educated decision. Getting the help of gutter specialists, like those at Shamrock Roofing and Construction, helps too! Not only can a professional roofing company in Kansas City provide advice on gutters, but they’ll usually install them for you, as well.

Let’s go over some of the more common types of gutter systems and their attributes to help you make the right choice for your home.

Vinyl Gutters: An Easy Favorite

When vinyl gutters first hit the market, homeowners flocked to them because of their low price point. The benefits go beyond affordability, however. Vinyl gutters are a favorite with homeowners in Overland Park because they don’t rust or corrode. They’re also lightweight and easy to install, coming in sections that snap together quickly. Do-it-yourselfers tend to choose vinyl over others because this project is one they can handle themselves. 

While poor installation can cause problems, if these gutters are properly installed, they perform as well as most other materials. The only catch is that the home needs to be in a milder climate, as vinyl doesn’t hold up well to cold. When used in cold climates, they may get brittle and crack.

Aluminum Gutters: A Longtime Friend

Any roofing company in Kansas has had plenty of experience working with aluminum gutters. They are similar to vinyl in that they are lightweight and rust-proof. They’re also easy to work with and can be assembled and installed easily. They have an advantage over vinyl, though: they are weather-resistant. While vinyl is resistant to some types of weather, aluminum is resistant to everything, including the cold. 

The main drawback of aluminum is that it’s not as strong as other types of gutters. An aluminum gutter system is also prone to dents, which may make it impractical in the Midwest, where summer hailstorms are common. 

Galvanized Steel: A Strong Option

Galvanized steel is the most popular steel option when it comes to gutters. Steel gutters have many of the same benefits as aluminum, but they are much more resistant to dents and damage. The only downside is that rust is a factor with steel. Given enough time, they rust through and need to be replaced. However, with proper maintenance, they can last for quite some time.

Stainless Steel: The MVP

Unlike its galvanized cousin, stainless steel gutters will not rust and are absolutely the strongest material you can have for your gutters. However, that strength comes with a price. Stainless steel gutters cost you two to four times as much as other materials. If you aren’t a big fan of the stainless steel look, you might want to explore other options.

Looking for Gutter Specialists?

Shamrock Roofing and Construction can help you figure out the best guttering for your home in Overland Park. We offer free roof inspections that include an inspection of the gutter system. We’ll let you know what we find and answer any questions you may have about gutter installation.

Contact us today for more information about gutter systems for your home. We’ll help you keep your place dry this year, no matter what Mother Nature brings!