What Is The Difference Between Seamless Gutters And Regular Gutters?

Your gutter system is an important feature located on the exterior of your home. Its purpose is to collect water as it rains in the horizontal gutter channels before it is directed into downspouts positioned vertically along your home and away from your property. Doing so helps protect your home from suffering water-related damage including flooding, leaks, cracks in your foundation, the growth of mold and mildew, and more.

Like some home appliances that may diminish in functionality over the years, your gutter system may do the same and might experience leaks, cracks, and other forms of wear and tear. Thus, possibly putting your home at risk of damage. Therefore, if you're a homeowner who is in the market for a new gutter system, there's a chance you may be debating whether to install regular, also known as sectional gutters, or seamless gutters. However, with so much information online, it might get overwhelming, especially if you may be unsure of the difference between seamless gutters and sectional gutters.

To help homeowners decide which gutter system they should purchase for their home, we will help answer this question in our article. Keep reading for more information.

What is the difference between seamless gutters and sectional gutters?

Take a look at our guide below to help you differentiate seamless and sectional gutters and help answer some frequently asked questions.

Sectional Gutters: What Are They?

As we mentioned, your gutter system is an exterior feature on your home that collects water as it rains and diverts it away from your property. This helps to ensure water does not soak into your surrounding property that may cause water damage to your home. The system is created with horizontal gutter channels that run underneath your roof with downspouts installed vertically throughout the system to help drain water away from your home.

Further, sectional open-faced gutters come in pre-cut sections, requiring connectors to join each gutter trough piece together. Once they are connected, a sealant is applied along the connecting parts to help ensure water does not leak through the gutter channel as it moves towards the downspouts.

With that said, some sectional gutter systems may be prone to clogging due to their open-faced design. Additionally, over time the sealant found at each connecting site may break down, which may cause leaks. As a result, sectional gutter systems might have shorter lifespans and may require more maintenance than other gutter systems.

What differentiates a seamless gutter?

Seamless gutters are designed to match the exact dimensions of your home rather than coming in pre-cut pieces that require connectors and as much sealant. Therefore, when installing a seamless gutter system on your home, a professional gutter installation company will come to measure before your custom gutters are cut precisely from a continuous piece of material.

As there are not as many connecting points, your gutter system may be less likely to leak. As a result, seamless gutters could require less maintenance throughout the year and potentially have a longer lifespan than standard gutter systems.

What is the appropriate gutter material for a house?

Furthermore, you can choose between several common gutter materials for your home. However, each gutter material may provide you with different short and long term benefits and come at different prices. Therefore, before booking an appointment for a gutter installation on your home, it is recommended that homeowners understand the different gutter materials available to them. Let's take a closer look at these materials down below:

Vinyl Gutters

Vinyl may be a more affordable gutter material on the market, however, due to its lightweight design, it may also be more prone to damage. It may also have a shorter lifespan of about 20 years compared to other materials. Additionally, vinyl gutters may become brittle in extreme heat and cool temperatures. Thus, vinyl gutters may need more repairs that may cost homeowners more money in the long run.

Aluminum Gutters

Aluminum is a more mid-priced material that is often popular amongst homeowners. Not only can it be lightweight, but it is also often more durable in extreme weather, which may help prevent damage. In addition, some aluminum gutters may have a lifespan of approximately 20 – 25 years which could be more than vinyl. Furthermore, aluminum gutters could be more customizable and may be painted in a range of colors so homeowners may help enhance the curbside appeal of their home.

Steel Gutters

Steel gutters may be more expensive than others on the market. While durable, they can become prone to rusting. Homeowners may have the option of installing galvanized steel, which is coated in a zinc layer to help prevent rusting. However, this may end up costing homeowners more money.

Copper Gutters

Lastly, copper gutters are the most expensive material on the market. However, unlike other metals, it might be a lot more sustainable, and some may last anywhere from 50 to 100 years before needing to be replaced. Furthermore, copper gutters are often highly durable and less likely to damage in extreme weather. Therefore, copper gutters may be the solution if homeowners are looking for a long-term gutter system. However, some copper gutters may cost homeowners a lot of money, depending on the size of the home.

What are some of the advantages of seamless gutters?

If you are contemplating which type of gutter system you should install on your home, here is a look at some of the advantages of seamless gutters you may not already be aware of:

1. Custom Fit

Rather than come in pre-cut sections, seamless gutters are custom-fit to the dimensions of your home for a more efficient, refined finish, which might also help enhance your curbside appeal.

2. Longer Lifespan

Compared to traditional gutter systems, seamless gutters often have a longer lifespan and they do not require as much maintenance throughout the year. Therefore, when properly maintained, you may save money long-term and help avoid spending money on a professional gutter cleaning company.

3. Color Match to Your Home

Depending on the type of gutter material you choose for your home, seamless aluminum gutters come with several color swatches that help you customize your gutter system to your home for a more refined finish.

4. Increase Your Property Value

Seamless gutter systems may help increase the property value of your home should you ever decide to sell. Therefore, by investing in an efficient gutter system now, you may get more on your home's value later down the line.

5. Less Likely to Leak

As there are fewer connecting points throughout your gutter system, seamless gutters are less likely to leak and cause water damage to your home. Additionally, because less sealant is needed to connect each piece, you may not need to maintain your gutters as frequently.

6. Less Likely to Clog

Lastly, as seamless gutters have fewer connecting points throughout the entire system, they are less likely to have fallen leaves, pine needles, twigs, and other debris collect and clog your gutter system

7. Easy Installation

Since seamless gutters require less hardware than traditional gutter systems, the installation process will likely be more efficient. This means that a professional gutter installation contractor can arrive at your property and have the installation done within a day, depending on your home's size. That way, you can return to your regular routine sooner.

Which gutter is the best?

When comparing traditional gutters and seamless gutters, seamless gutters may provide homeowners with numerous benefits. Not only are they custom to your home, but they may also be less likely to clog and leak throughout the year. This ultimately means you may not need to spend as much time and money on maintenance. Furthermore, some seamless gutters may have a longer lifespan than sectional gutters. Therefore, if you're looking to save money in the long run and help prevent water damage from happening to your home, seamless gutters might be the way to go.

Are you ready to install a new seamless gutter system, like LeafGuard® gutters, on your home? Book a free consultation with the home improvement experts at Local Home Pro and our trusted professional gutter installation contractors today.