What Do Seamless Gutters Look Like?

Your home's gutter system has a pretty straightforward function – to collect water as it rains before diverting it away from your home through downspouts, so that excess amounts of water don’t seep into your surrounding property. While this process appears simple, new designs such as seamless gutters can help allow gutter systems to work more efficiently. Not only helping to provide more protection for your home, but possibly saving you money in the long run.

If you’re looking to update your gutter system, you may or may not have heard of seamless gutters during your research. Regardless, you may have several questions about seamless gutters. For example, what do seamless gutters look like? Are seamless gutters worth installing on my home? These are some frequently asked questions among homeowners looking to purchase the best gutter system. We will help answer these questions so you can feel more informed about seamless gutters before deciding if you wish to install them in your home.

To learn more, keep reading.

What do seamless gutters look like?

Two types of gutter systems are available: sectional gutters and seamless gutters. Regardless of which type you have installed on the exterior of your home, you should notice that your gutter system runs horizontally and collects water as it drains from your roof. In addition, you should also see downspouts installed vertically against your home; these gutter features are responsible for diverting water away from your property. So, what exactly is the difference between sectional and seamless gutters? And what do seamless gutters look like? Let's take a closer look at each of these types in more detail below:

Sectional Gutters

Sectional or conventional gutters are gutter systems that come pre-cut in specific lengths. When installing and connecting this form of gutters system to your home, fasteners are required at each connection point to hold each piece together. Once these points are connected, a sealant will be applied to help decrease the chance of water leaking through the cracks.

Seamless Gutters

In contrast, seamless gutters are constructed from a single piece of material. Therefore, before installing these gutter systems onto your home, a professional gutter installation company will measure the exact length of your home to help ensure each piece fits seamlessly across it. This helps make the installation process more efficient and limits the number of fasteners and sealants required to construct your entire gutter system. As a result, you might not have to service your gutter system as frequently throughout the years, and it could reduce the opportunity for leaks to occur. In addition, seamless gutter systems could help increase your home's curbside appeal as they come available in different colors. Thus, you could custom create a gutter system that works for your home design for a more sleek and refined finish.

What differentiates a seamless gutter?

A possible indicator between the two gutter systems is that seamless gutters are constructed from a single piece of material. On the other hand, sectional gutter systems are built by numerous pre-cut pieces that often require fasteners and sealant at each connection point to help ensure water may flow and drain throughout the system.

While the sealant may be adequate in helping prevent leaks, over the years, it may diminish and possibly lead to leaks. This is also more likely if you do not stay up to date on your gutter maintenance routine. Therefore, sectional gutters could end up costing you more money over their lifespan than seamless gutters.

While seamless gutters could be efficient at helping prevent leaks, if you do not have a gutter guard or seamless gutter system like LeafGuard®, you will likely need to maintain your gutters throughout the year to avoid clogging. If you are looking for a gutter system that requires little to no maintenance, you may benefit from a patented system such as LeafGuard®.

Do rain gutters affect the value of a house?

Further, like many home appliances, your gutter system can be prone to deteriorating as it ages. Accordingly, depending on the type of gutter system you have, they often have an average lifespan ranging from approximately 15 – 20 years. However, this could change depending on how well you take care of your gutter system throughout the year. Furthermore, if you're looking to sell your home, an older gutter system may reduce your property value if it is no longer functioning properly. A broken or inefficient gutter system could also cause several types of damage to your home, including:

• Erosion of your landscaping
• Cracks in your foundation
• Water damage and flooding in your basement
• Leaks in the upper levels of your home
• Staining on the side of your home
• Pest and insect infestation
• The growth of mold and mildew

As you can see, your gutter system is often your home's first defense against water damage, especially during heavy rainfall. It may make sense for potential homeowners to choose a home with an updated gutter system instead of one that may be outdated and need replacement. Additionally, having a new gutter system may also help enhance the curbside appeal of your property, possibly making it more pleasing to potential buyers looking for a new home. Both of these factors may be worth considering when deciding whether investing in a new gutter system is worth installing into your home.

How would you describe a seamless gutter system?

As mentioned, a seamless gutter system is constructed from one continuous piece of material. This seamless design could help reduce the chance of leaks throughout your gutter system during heavy rainfall throughout the years. Seamless gutter systems may also require less maintenance than sectional gutter systems, and they can be easier to have installed as they are custom-fit to the dimensions of your home. Additionally, seamless gutters could require less hardware than sectional gutters and be more efficient at draining water away from your property.

If you want to learn more about seamless gutter systems from LeafGuard®, book a free consultation with Local Home Pro and our expert gutter installation contractors in your area today!