Innovative Gutter Materials: Exploring Beyond Aluminum

There’s much to consider when selecting the right gutter system for your home: color, style, gutter width, warranties, etc. Another thing to be considered when choosing gutters is the material. Though a majority of residential gutter systems are aluminum, not all are. Several other gutter materials are available and you should choose the best one for your home and climate.

If you aren’t familiar with other gutter materials and the pros and cons that go along with them, keep reading as we discuss innovative gutter materials and explore beyond aluminum.

Other Gutter Materials

Aluminum is the most common gutter material, but several others exist and offer pros and cons:

Steel

Superman taught us that manmade steel is one of the strongest metals and materials. Vehicles, buildings, and structures like bridges and railways are often made from steel to ensure durability and strength to withstand the elements and everyday wear and tear. Steel is a popular material for gutters in harsh climates since it can withstand severe weather conditions.

Though extremely durable, steel isn’t the best gutter material for every home. Though they can withstand torrential downpours, ice dams, and heavy snow, they have some cons. For one, if they aren’t made of stainless steel they’ll warp and rust with time. Galvanized steel gutters are strong yet have a protective layer that wears down over time, causing the gutters to warp and rust, leading to other damage like sagging and overflowing gutters.

Steel gutters also come with a steep price tag, about four times the cost of other gutter materials.

Copper

If you’ve ever seen copper on a structure, you know how stunning it is and how it adds a timeless and classic look. Many older Victorian homes had copper gutters to give the homes a more vintage-style feel to complement the unique timeless style. 

Though they’re aesthetically pleasing and can be very durable, they do have some cons. First, they are not maintenance-free if exposed to the elements because they’ll oxidize, like a penny. Therefore, they require frequent gutter maintenance to retain their beautiful copper shine. If you don’t frequently apply an anti-oxidizing coating the beautiful copper color will turn a green patina, similar to the green hue of the Statue of Liberty.

Copper gutters are also more expensive than other gutter materials. They can cost roughly $20.00-$36.00 per linear foot, a whopping five times more when compared to less expensive gutter materials like aluminum.

Vinyl

Vinyl gutters have become increasingly popular because they’re an easy DIY project with an inexpensive price tag. This may sound appealing, however, they’re not a wise choice for homeowners who live in wet and humid climates like Lynchburg. We have four seasons here in Central Virginia and higher-than-average humidity and rainfall versus other parts of the country. Therefore, homes need a durable gutter material on their homes.

Humidity, heavy snow, and excess rain are too much for vinyl gutters to withstand. Because vinyl gutters are lightweight and aren’t made from a durable material, they’ll often sag or come apart at the seams with the weight of heavy rainstorms, snowstorms, and strong winds. In a climate like Central Virginia where we get a lot of precipitation each year including snow, a rainy season, and high humidity, installing vinyl gutters would be a mistake.

Which Gutter Material is Best?

There are other gutter materials than aluminum, but which is best for your home? If you own a home in Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Danville, or surrounding cities, opt to install heavy-duty aluminum gutters. Why? Below are some pros to installing heavy-duty aluminum gutters:

• Durable material
• Longer lifespan compared to other gutter materials
• Can withstand severe weather
• Better for humid and high precipitation climates
• Corrosion resistant

Don’t just install any aluminum gutter system; some on the market aren’t durable and will rust with time. If you want to install heavy-duty aluminum gutters that will last, choose K-Guard / One Stop Home Improvement Shop. We offer aluminum gutters made from extremely durable aluminum that withstand all weather conditions. Whether you install our seamless gutters or the K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System, K-Guard / One Stop Home Improvement Shop is the premier gutter installation company across Central Virginia.

Heavy-Duty Aluminum Gutter Solutions from K-Guard / One Stop Home Improvement Shop

If you want to install heavy-duty aluminum gutters that eliminate the need to perform gutter maintenance, consider installing seamless gutters from K-Guard / One Stop Home Improvement Shop. Our heavy-duty aluminum gutters and downspouts are oversized to allow for more rainfall and are built to withstand the most severe weather. Our Xtreme Mesh Gutter Guard is made from surgical-grade stainless steel, a durable material that will resist corrosion, even in Lynchburg’s humid and rainy climate.

The K-Guard System is a durable, complete system with multiple components that keep debris like leaves and pine needles out so water can flush through the system quickly. With its innovative curved hood and seamless design, K-Guard prevents all debris from entering the gutters, ensuring no clogs can form. 

If your home needs gutters installed or you need to replace your existing gutters and want to wave goodbye to gutter cleaning, consider installing seamless gutters and guards or the K-Guard System from K-Guard / One Stop Home Improvement Shop. 

We’ve been installing and repairing gutter systems for decades with thousands of happy customers in Lynchburg and surrounding areas. We can help with all your home improvement needs, whether you need help with an insurance claim or a quote for installing a new roof or gutter system. We’re here to help every step of the way throughout the entire process. Contact us today for a free estimate!