Gutters are important because they work to protect your home. Without them, your home would be in danger of getting damaged by pooling water.
Pooling water can damage your roof in various spots, and it can also cause harm to the foundation of your home. A good gutter and downspout system is a must when you’re trying to keep your home safe.
You might be thinking of upgrading your gutters sometime soon. If you’ve never done this before, you’re likely not sure how much money you need.
Are gutters expensive or can they be purchased at an affordable price? Keep reading to learn more about gutters, the different types that you can buy, and how much they cost on average.
Some Gutters Can Be Pricey
It’s true that some gutters can be a bit on the pricey side. Certain types of gutters will be more expensive than others.
However, you should know that not all gutters are expensive. You can find good deals on many different types of gutters.
It’s simply important to explore the pros and cons of the various types before making a decision about which ones you want to buy. The most important thing is to pick gutters that will protect your home properly.
Why Are Gutters So Expensive?
When looking at why some gutters are so expensive, you’ll see that it comes down to the materials. Some gutters are costly simply because they’re made using more expensive materials.
There are some gutter types that are inexpensive and will appeal to those who have strict budgets. Other gutters will be rather costly.
You should learn about all of the gutters so you can see which will be right for you. This will allow you to make a good choice.
Vinyl Gutters
Vinyl gutters are among the most popular types of gutters because they’re inexpensive. This is the most affordable gutter type that you’ll find.
If you don’t have much money to spend on gutters, it’s wise to stick to vinyl gutters. These gutters won’t cost much, but they won’t last as long as some of the more durable gutter options.
The downside to using vinyl gutters is that they’re rather weak in climates with high heat. They can also crack when exposed to freezing conditions, and that means that they aren’t the best in areas that experience harsh winters.
So they’re mostly used in moderate climates due to their weaknesses. On a positive note, these gutters will never have to deal with issues such as rust and corrosion.
Also, they’re lightweight and easy to install on your own. Vinyl gutters generally cost between $1.00 and $2.50 per linear foot, but prices can fluctuate in the market.
Aluminum Gutters
Aluminum gutters are even more popular than vinyl gutters. Unlike vinyl gutters, aluminum gutters are considered to be fairly durable.
They’re still lightweight and easy to install, but they aren’t as weak as vinyl gutters. Of course, it’s still possible to bend or dent the gutters if you’re not careful.
Regardless, these gutters will be a great choice for many people. They won’t rust and they should last for a very long time.
With normal maintenance, aluminum gutters are known to last for up to 25 years. They’re weatherproof gutters that can stand the test of time.
The cost isn’t that much more than vinyl gutters. Aluminum gutters will usually cost between $2.00 and $3.50 per linear foot.
Zinc Gutters
Zinc gutters are a bit on the pricey side. They have the potential to last for decades, though.
Some zinc gutters have been known to last for 50 years, but they might not last that long if you live near the ocean. Salt air can have a negative impact on zinc gutters, but they’ll still last for decades even in those areas.
It’s good that these gutters won’t rust or fade. They’re also not prone to issues with warping.
Sadly, these gutters are a bit harder to install than the aforementioned vinyl and aluminum options. It’s likely best to hire professionals if you wish to install zinc gutters on your home.
The price of these gutters will be much higher as well. You should expect to spend between $10.00 and $22.00 per linear foot on average.
Galvanized Steel Gutters
Galvanized steel rain gutters are fairly common, but they’re not as common as aluminum gutters. They do have some advantages over aluminum gutters, but they’re more expensive overall.
These are among the strongest types of gutters that you can buy. They won’t get dented or bent under normal circumstances due to how strong they are.
Good galvanized steel gutters are suitable for all weather conditions. So they can hold up to extreme heat or cold.
They will rust over time and they’re also rather heavy. The heavy nature of these gutters makes it tough for amateurs to install them properly.
You can even paint these gutters if you wish. So they are customizable to an extent.
Expect to spend between $8.00 and $10.00 per linear foot when buying these gutters. They’re pricier than aluminum gutters, but they’re still far more affordable than zinc gutters.
Copper Gutters
Copper gutters are nice and many people think that they’re the most attractive option. The price of these gutters might scare some away, but it’s easy to see why they’re so appealing.
Copper gutters are gorgeous, but they will turn green over the course of many years. They don’t have to deal with issues such as rust or warping, though.
This is a durable gutter type that works well in all weather conditions. So you don’t need to worry if you live in a very hot or cold climate.
Much like galvanized steel gutters, it’s hard to install these as an amateur. So you’ll want to reach out to specialists to get copper gutters installed.
They’re expensive enough that many won’t be able to afford them. The cost of these gutters will be between $15.00 and $25.00 per linear foot.
How Expensive Are Gutter Guards?
The cost of gutter guards will differ depending on what you buy. There are many types of gutter guards out there.
Some use a standard mesh design and won’t cost too much money. Others will be more expensive.
Many popular gutter guard styles will cost between $15.00 and $20.00 per linear foot. However, you need to know that there’s a lot of variance when it comes to gutter guards.
You can look for deals and you can save money if you can handle the installation yourself. Some gutter guards are rather easy to install.
Are Seamless Gutters Expensive?
Yes, seamless gutters are generally more expensive than standard gutters. Some people love the idea of installing seamless gutters since they don’t require as much maintenance.
However, you should be aware that these gutters are generally tough to install. So professional installation is highly recommended.
For homeowners on a budget, seamless gutters might not be the most appealing choice. They’re still great gutters that can be very useful, but it depends on your budget and what you want to accomplish.
On average, seamless gutters will cost between $9.00 and $25.00 per linear foot. As you can see, the price will vary a lot based on the materials that are being used.
Are Seamless Gutters Better?
Many would say that seamless gutters are better than standard gutters. They allow you to do less maintenance on your gutters, and that can save you a bit of time and effort.
It isn’t as if seamless gutters require zero maintenance, though. The increased cost of seamless gutters might not make them the best option for your home.
So this is a subjective question that can’t be directly answered. It’s up to you to decide which option is right for your home.
Are Round Downspouts More Expensive?
The most common downspouts that people utilize are the k-style downspouts. These rectangular downspouts get the job done and they work well.
Round downspouts are different and they’re quite a bit tougher to install. They do indeed cost more money than k-style downspouts.
Typically, you want to get professionals to install round downspouts to ensure that things are done right. Some people love round downspouts and find them to be the best, but most people stick with the standard k-style downspouts.
Which one will appeal to you will depend on your sensibilities. Simply pick the downspout that meets your needs the best.
Final Thoughts
Now you know a lot more about gutters and how much they cost. Some gutters can be rather pricey, but there are many affordable options.
When you want to save money, it’s best to stick with aluminum gutters or vinyl gutters. Out of the two options, aluminum gutters are usually the better choice.
Aluminum gutters are relatively durable and they work well in many climates. Some of the more expensive options such as copper gutters and zinc gutters will also be appealing, but you might not want to spend that much cash.
Take what you learned today and make the best decision for your home. Just make sure that you have a good gutter and downspout system that is working to protect your home.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and over 10 years of experience working in IT. As a homeowner, I love working on projects around the house, and as a father, I love investigating various ways to keep my family safe (whether or not this involves tech). I’ve also played guitar for almost 20 years and love writing music, although it’s hard to find the time these days.