Quality gutters?

[czechsonofagun]

We are reroofing part of the house these days -yes, it is quite hot up there - and I would like to replace the gutters in the same time. The typical local suppliers, HD, Lowe's have gutters that look very cheap and flimsy.

So, my question is - what gutters would you put on your house? Calling a contractor is out of question, I am reroofing myself because it has to be done and because I can't pay a roofer.

 

[RaytheOne]

czechsonofagun,

Can't help much because I called a roofer Our house had the cheap box store 4" gutters that never worked well. I went with a 7" system and are much more satisfied. Our house has some very steep pitch roofs, and the 4" gutters either overflowed, or the water just overshot them. Your situation may be different.

If you want something better, maybe take your measurements to a shop and have them fabricated, and install them yourself.

Good luck!!

 

[bp fick]

Czech, I always install continuous gutters. A truck backs up and extrudes them on site. Hang 'em as one continuous piece. The only way to fly. The segmented, joined type? Not for me. I know money is tight but you'll never like the multi-piece versions as well, ever.

 

[s219]

You may want to at least get a quote -- we had gutters put on our place for about $600, all inclusive. They were the continuous formed type. Considering the materials and effort, (including getting up near parts of our house that are 2+ stories tall) that seemed like a bargain to me.

 

[rekees4300]

This Old House article: Gauging Gutters | Drainage & Gutters | This Old House - 1

 

[RobertBrown]

I have some experience with gutters and I would suggest the heavy gauge aluminum...avoid vinyl. The fittings and hangers and down spouts get pretty expensive if you buy them form the home centers. I would suggest finding alternate sources for materials, price the whole job and you might just change your mind about the contractor, depending on your roof lines. He can get the materials for less than half of what you pay. The best gutter systems are the continuous type, but get a warranty, a long warranty, and read it carefully.
If you can get the all of the terminology and a list of everything, a roof supply will price it for you if you avoid telling them your an end user. You don't necessarily have to lie but indicate you are paying cash and will set up an account after things get going.

 

[J35]

Czech, I always install continuous gutters. A truck backs up and extrudes them on site. Hang 'em as one continuous piece. The only way to fly. The segmented, joined type? Not for me. I know money is tight but you'll never like the multi-piece versions as well, ever.

+1 The only way to go, save yourself a bunch a grief and do it.

---- J

 

[EddieWalker]

The trick to installing metal gutters from Home Depot and Lowes is to not buy any of their connections to hold the gutters together. Instead, put a bead of special gutter silicone onto the end of the downward gutter and put the other gutter over it. I like to over lap them at least six inches, but more is always going to be better. If you do this, you won't have any of the leak issues and it's a fairly clean looking install.

Eddie

 

[ronjhall]

My seamless gutters are 40 years old this year. Have had no other experience with them. :thumbsup:

 

[radioman]

When I needed to add on a gutter for a freind house - there was a roofing supplier that can make seamless gutter for me in any length for me. they can roll it out , cut it and I can put end caps on and install. Luckily I only needed to go 20 ft so it fits ok on my 16 ft trailer with 4 ft over the tongue. You could look into your local decidated building supplier and see if they offer seamless gutters in lengths you need.

 

[rswyan]

Add another vote for seamless ....

I would think that having a contractor that has the machine to form the gutters come out and just make the gutters (for you to hang) would be a good bit cheaper than having them hang them. Would be a quick and dirty job for them.

I had a local contractor make (and install) 180' of 5" or 6" K-style with five 3" x 4" downspouts for the polebarn and the shed about 4 or 5 years ago and it cost around $800 ....

Of course, it was just three straight-shot runs ....

 

[Richard]

Our house had the cheap box store 4" gutters that never worked well. I went with a 7" system and are much more satisfied. Our house has some very steep pitch roofs, and the 4" gutters either overflowed, or the water just overshot them. Your situation may be different.

Tis what I did as well. My roof is fairly steep and we have gully-washers in the valley's during hard rains. The stuff at the box stores is a joke (at least for my needs).

I think mine is 6" but I forget. Regardless, I put the seamless on and they were in/out during the day while I was at work and the ONLY time I have any overflow issues is when I get leaves up there and they clog.

As long as the leaves are cleaned out, it has handled all the water my roof can pour down its throat.

 

[WilliamBos]

What ever you go with, if the bugpdget allows, get smart screen

Smart Screen Gutter Protection System