Vinyl Gutters

[themichelob]

Just had 60 feet of the seamless aluminum gutters and two downspouts installed for $270 including tax--snow falling off my roof this past winter took down the 25 year old set. Had it done by a little mom and pop (literally) outfit, and they did a fine job, including hauling off the old ones. Does the $600 include some kind of "gutter helmut" or cover by any chance? A couple of the estimates I got did, and that increased the cost considerably. I didn't opt for that. Shouldn't be that much, otherwise.
Regards, Mike

 

[N80]

His original quote was $400 then he called back about an hour later with $600. I was waffling on the $400. Told him to take a hike for $600. Of course I had my diplomatic liaison (aka wife) say it politely for me.

It is about a 40 minute drive, but he told us that was no big deal when he was at my house doing some other work.

I figure my footage at 126' including downspouts. At $3 a foot thats $378, at $4 thats $504 at $5 its $630. So he's right at $5. A little less if he's figuring the drive.....but we were going to feed his crew lunch.

So my options look like this:

1) Sectional aluminum.BTDT. Maybe I got the cheap stuff but I'm pretty sure it was Alcoa. But I did the job right, and followed the instructions. Each joint doesn't just leak, it pours. Re-caulked, still pours. The joining system is pure ignorance. Other than the post above, I've talked to half a dozen people who have had the same experience as mine and no one else who has had success. So that's totally out.

2) Seamless aluminum. I'll get another estimate local to my cabin. Of course that's relative since the nearest town than might have a gutter man is 15 miles away. But if $4-$5 is the actual going rate, its too rich for me.

3) Vinyl. I've done it before and it did not leak at all and it was in a pretty rainy area. After about 2 years it was holding up fine. I did put up extra hangers to prevent sagging. The company who makes it has a limited lifetime warranty and guaranteed 'weather performance'. Clearly that is probably marketing hype. But from what people are saying so far it seems like durability concerns are speculation....but it does seem like it would get brittle over time.

So here is what I'[m gonna do at this point:

I'll get another quote or two and if they are more reasonable I'll go for it.

I'll price out the vinyl. If its close to the the aluminum then I'll skip it too. If it looks a lot cheaper I'll probably take the route. Don't really see many other options.

 

[N80]

Just had 60 feet of the seamless aluminum gutters and two downspouts installed for $270 including tax--snow falling off my roof this past winter took down the 25 year old set. Had it done by a little mom and pop (literally) outfit, and they did a fine job, including hauling off the old ones. Does the $600 include some kind of "gutter helmut" or cover by any chance? A couple of the estimates I got did, and that increased the cost considerably. I didn't opt for that. Shouldn't be that much, otherwise.
Regards, Mike

Assuming your downspouts where around 10 feet each, that puts your price at roughly $3.40 a foot.

My quote was for standard gutter and downspouts. No leaf guard, no helmets, etc.

I think maybe this guy didn't want the job. The housing market hasn't tanked around here like in other places so maybe he's got enough work to be fooling with a little cabin.

 

[kenmac]

You didn't say (or I didn't notice) what size gutters / down spout is he giving the price on 4'', 6'', etc,. Some gutter people install gutters better than others. Some just nail them in . Some strap them on where you can't see the straps. (Makes for a nicer job / look) My father inlaw has the small vinyl gutters on his house & they worked ok ( leaked a little) . Until, he had a metal roof put on the house. The water runs so fast off the metal roof that, the water over shoots the gutters

 

[jinman]

3) Vinyl. I've done it before and it did not leak at all and it was in a pretty rainy area. After about 2 years it was holding up fine. I did put up extra hangers to prevent sagging. The company who makes it has a limited lifetime warranty and guaranteed 'weather performance'. Clearly that is probably marketing hype. But from what people are saying so far it seems like durability concerns are speculation....but it does seem like it would get brittle over time.

I have installed two sections of vinyl gutters on straight runs like your cabin. It is so easy and goes so quickly I could not believe it. I've had excellent results on both installations with the normal leaf clogs that easily clear with cleanout; no leaks ever. If I were you, I'd do the vinyl...period..end of story. When you get finished you'll wonder why you even considered anything else.

Vinyl has lasted 15+ years on one roof and 8+ years on another with nothing ever replaced. The long-term roof has north exposure and no shade. There seems to be very little if any UV degradation.

 

[tommu56]

N80
Are you using the couplers to join the gutters? I dont

I lap them about 6" you will have to notch the top front inside one to fit them together drill them inplace take them apart put calk in the joint and pop rivet togrether

put some more calk in side

plus minimize the joints I only have 2 in 36 ft on my cabins porch roof I fhink they were 14' pcs

tom

 

[N80]

kenmac, I've got a metal roof on the cabin and the gutters are 4", but over-run hasn't been a problem. So I think standard size of whatever I use will be fine.

Jim, thanks for the info on your experience. Do you remember which brand you used? The last time I used Genova and so far that's the only brand I've researched. I was very impressed with the joints.

Tom, lapping them makes sense but I did not do that. I made the mistake of following the instructions. And I'll admit, when you read the instructions your first thought is: 'you have to be kidding, this will never work'. And that impression is correct.

And I've already recaulked them a couple of times. Plus, a freak snow damaged them a while back as well as a tree falling up against it, so it needs to go anyway. (It leaked before any of this.) I guess I could consider doing it with the aluminum sectional the way you did it.....but I really don't want to get burned again.

Thanks all. Fortunately, it doesn't look like I'm going to need gutters for another 4-5 months.

 

[jinman]

George, the first gutters I bought at Payless Cashways and the second set at Sutherlands. I'm sorry, but I don't know the brands.

 

[AlanB]

George, thinking about it from another angle is the only problem you have with the gutters you have now that they leak?

Could you not buy another peice (peices) of gutter, cut it into 12" sections and center and glue it down into the existing gutters? Sealant over laps (like brazing) is much more effective, although this could create dams in your gutters.

Anyway, just a thought.

 

[N80]

Leaking is the main problem but there has been some cosmetic damage and it doesn't look good. Doesn't really bother me, but figured if I could solve a leak problem and make it look better I would.