Gutters Portland Oregon

Rain gutters are the invisible heroes that protect the structural integrity of a house from water damage. Without them, we would all be singing indoors in the rain, surrounded by mold and mildew infested walls and corroded ducts. A rain gutter system’s primary function is to funnel rainwater from your roof away from a home’s foundation and basement to more appropriate areas through a downspout. This way, the powerful surge of collected water overflowing from the roof doesn’t kill your garden or cause structural instability.

​

Rain gutters are not only functional but elevate the appearance of your home. While they do give a nice, clean edge to your roof, their main purpose is function-driven. Thus, making an informed decision about which style and material of the new gutter you pick is critical.

​

Seamed gutters vs. Seamless gutters: Portland Metro Area, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Aloha, Tualatin, West Linn, Lake Oswego, Sherwood & More.

​

Sectional gutters, also known as seamed gutters, are sold in pieces that are joined by snap-in-place connectors, which creates seams at the place where it’s linked. Most DIY gutter systems are sectional, although pro-installers work with these too. All seamed gutters come with end caps, drop outlets, and corner pieces.

​

Despite its ease in installation, the biggest drawback with sectional gutters is that they invite the possibility of a leak at every seam. Sectional gutters don't have much upfront cost, but they will be expensive in the long run, due to the frequent need for repairs of leaks. Which very few companies in the great northwest will even repair.

​

Seamless gutters don’t have seams. They are produced onsite from a continuous roll of metal. They’re more expensive than sectional gutters but are less prone to clogs and leaks, . They also require less maintenance. That said, seamless gutters are challenging to install and need special machinery to be cut on-site. In terms of durability, seamless gutters make for the best gutters.

​

5 Common Types of Rain Gutters: Portland Area

​

Vinyl Gutters Portland, Oregon: Vinyl gutters are made of PVC plastic, which makes them dent and rustproof. This is important since gutter comes in direct contact with water. There are a few other reasons why Vinyl gutters are so popular:

• Cheap: Vinyl gutters are relatively affordable, with prices for a 10-foot section ranging from $3 to $5.

• Easy installation: Vinyl gutters are light-weight, which makes them quite easy to install. Finding contractors that will install these gutters may prove to be challenging.

• Scratches unnoticeable: Vinyl gutters are often the same color on all sides, including inside and out. So if there are scratches, they won’t stand out.

​

Drawbacks:  When it comes to cheaper products, the quality is dubious. Vinyl is no different. Here are some disadvantages of vinyl gutters:

• Limited color choices: Vinyl gutters mostly come in white or brown, which may not look aesthetically pleasing on your house. 

• Prone to damage: Vinyl gutters are susceptible to sagging when under a lot of weight. They are also likely to get brittle with age, which will require frequent gutter repairs. Installing gutter protection should help.

• Installation errors: Because they’re so easy to install, many novice homeowners try to DIY them. Although this can save costs, it also leads to installation errors like hanging and sloping.

• Only available in sectional models: Vinyl gutters are only available in sectional models. Hence, they are often with seams than seamless.

​

Pro Tip: If you decide to choose vinyl gutter, remember that the sun will slowly degrade the plastic.

​

Aluminum Gutters, Portland, Oregon: Two powerful features make aluminum gutters popular— affordability and weather-resistant all year round.  Just like vinyl gutters, these are rust-resistant and lightweight, and fairly durable. Here are a few other features that make aluminum gutters great:

• Affordable: Aluminum gutters run around $1200 for the average 3 bedroom ranch style home. 

• Won’t sag: Even though aluminum gutters are light-weight, they won’t sag under heavy-weight. 

• Longevity: In most climates, aluminum gutters should last you 20 years or more. 

• Multiple colors: Unlike vinyl gutters, aluminum gutters come in a variety of colors.

​

Drawbacks: Although stronger than vinyl, aluminum gutters do have their weaknesses.

• Corrosion: Aluminum gutters won’t rust, but they can corrode under prolonged exposure to salt and moisture, which makes it not a good choice for houses in coastal regions.

• Damage prone: They are quick to incur damages from harsh weather elements, like hail, wind, and heavy snow. Larger dents can block water flow. 

• Susceptible to leaks: Aluminum gutters are more likely to leak around the joints than other materials.

• Moderate upkeep: While they come in a variety of colors, the enamel wears off with age. So expect to paint a fresh coat. 

​

Pro Tip: Ensure to not use aluminum gutters on a roof with copper particles. When copper wears off and flows through the gutter, it can react with aluminum and speed up the corrosion process.

​

Steel Gutters, Portland, Oregon: The distinguishing selling feature for steel gutters is that it's leak-resistant and can bravely guard against inclement weather without having its performance damaged.

 

Steel gutters come in two forms:

• Galvanized Steel Gutters: These cost between $2 to $8 per foot and last about 15 years before rusting.

• Stainless steel Gutters: Virtually indestructible, stainless steel will never rust. Its  high-durability comes expensive, though. It should cost you between $10 to $18.

​

Here are some additional strengths of steel gutters: 

• Extremely tough: Stainless steel gutters have top-notch durability. They hold their integrity under high heat, harsh wind, snow, and hail without getting cracks or dents.

• Versatile: They come in both seamless and seamed models. 

• Universal: Steel gutters can be installed on any roof even if it has copper components because there’s no risk of corrosion. 

​

Drawbacks: There aren’t many drawbacks for steel gutters, but the price is one. 

• Costs: They are relatively more expensive than the other options. 

• Rust: Galvanized steel is prone to rust, which makes it less durable than stainless steel, but with proper maintenance like gutter cleaning, they can last for up to two decades.

• Heat impact: Also, since steel is a metal, it expands and contracts with heat, which can impact its strength. But it is still a more durable option than vinyl for homes in hot climates. 

• High gutter installation cost: Because they are heavy, they take longer to install, which adds to the installation expense.

​

Pro Tip: Steel gutters come in limited colors, so for an exact match, you can easily paint it.

​

Copper Gutters, Portland, Oregon: Copper gutters are the most stunning gutters in the market. Just like stainless steel, they never rust and are virtually indestructible. It has a very long lifespan and can easily last up to a hundred years under any climate. As copper interacts with moisture and air, it will start developing a blue-green patina over the years.

​

Here are some reasons why people love copper gutters:

• Adds character: While at the beginning of this article, we did say that gutters aren’t purchased usually for its aesthetic appeal, copper gutters are the exception to this. Once they age and naturally develop a patina, it adds so much character to the perimeter of your roof.

• Durability: These will last you forever without cracks or dents or rust as long as you keep them free of clogs.

​

Drawbacks: Here are some drawbacks of copper gutters:

• Expensive: This will run you between $13-$28 per foot. It’s easily one of the most expensive gutter materials.

• Laborious installation: Copper gutters are usually custom-made for your roof. They require the installer to wear gloves during the installation process since coppers appearance is affected by the oils in our skin. This makes the installation time consuming and tedious, increasing the costs. 

​

Pro Tip: If you don’t want a bluish-green patina, go for either lead-coated or tin-zinc-plated copper. Otherwise in order to keep the shiny copper appearance you will be required to have the gutters polished regularly.

​

Zinc Gutter, Portland, Oregon: Zinc gutters are sturdy and just like a copper gutter, to develop a protective patina with age. You’re saying the gutter will weather a nice shade of gray. There are rustproof and require very little maintenance.

​

Here are some reasons why people love Zinc gutters:

• Premium gutters: They are highly durable and won’t rust, warp, or become dull.

• High-quality installation: Zinc gutters usually get extra care during installations, making it less prone to leaks or water damage.

• Durability: They will last between 30 to 50 years, depending on how close it is to seawater. 

​

Drawbacks: Zinc does have a few pitfalls you must consider:

• Expensive: They will usually run between $9 to $13 per foot.

• Slightly intolerant: Zinc gutters can get damage from acetic runoff from cedar shingle roofs. Its durability is also vulnerable to the proximity to seawater. 

• Exhaustive installation: The installation process is usually more intensive than copper. 

​

Pro Tip: Pro Gutter services installation is recommended for high-quality work because Zinc expands and contracts based on temperature.