Rain gutters are essential to any home, as they help keep your foundation dry and prevent water damage. There are two main types of rain gutters: sectional gutters and seamless gutters.
The following is a comparison of seamless gutters and sectional gutters (A.K.A. “regular gutters”) to help you decide which type is best for your home.
Seamless Gutters
Seamless gutters are less likely to leak than regular gutters because they don’t have any joints or seams. This means that water can’t seep through the gutters like it can with regular gutters. Seamless gutters are also less likely to clog because there are no joints or seams for leaves and other debris to get stuck in.
Being made from a single piece of material also makes seamless gutters more durable and longer-lasting than regular gutters. Especially if you live in an area with a lot of trees, seamless gutters can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. But even if you don’t, they’re still a great investment because they’re much more durable and leak resistant, and require less maintenance than regular gutters.
Sectional Gutters
Sectional gutters are made of several pieces of material joined together at the seams. They are less expensive than seamless gutters, but they require more cleaning and maintenance. You will need to regularly check the joints and seams of regular gutters to make sure that they are not leaking, and that leaves and other debris are not clogging them.
In addition to the debris build-up and higher potential for leaks at joints/seams, when sectional gutters aren’t cleaned for a long time, they can even start to sag and pull away from your home, which can cause damage if not fixed. Gutter protection systems can help with all of these problems, but naturally, they are an additional cost on top of the gutters themselves.
Sectional gutters aren’t a bad choice by any means—in fact, they very well may be the right option for you—but they do require more work to keep them in top condition.
If you can afford it, seamless gutters may be the way to go. But if not, regular gutters will still do the job, as long as you’re willing to put in the extra effort to maintain them (or hire someone to do it for you).
Conclusion
If you’re comparing and contrasting seamless gutters and sectional gutters for your home, here is a summary of the pros and cons of each type:
Sectional Gutters (AKA “Regular Gutters”):
- More affordable upfront
- Require more maintenance
- Can leak at joints/seams
- More likely to clog
- May sag and pull away from home over time
Seamless Gutters:
- More durable
- Less likely to leak
- Less likely to clog
- Require less maintenance
- More expensive upfront
If you want to invest in gutters that will last longer and require less maintenance, then seamless gutters may be the way to go. However, if you’re on a budget, and are looking for gutters that are less expensive up front but will require a little more maintenance on your part, sectional gutters may be a better option for you.
So, which type of gutter is best for your home, regular or seamless? Ultimately, the decision usually comes down to budget and how much maintenance you’re willing to do (or pay someone else to do).
Of course, there are also aesthetic considerations—for example, you may want to match the gutters to the style of your home, or even go for something unique like copper gutters. But in terms of function, both types of gutters will do the job.
Either way, gutters are a critical part of protecting your home from water damage, so make sure to choose the type that’s right for you and your home. And remember that no matter which type of gutters you select for your home, it’s important to keep an eye on your gutters to ensure that they are continuing to working properly and maintain them as necessary.
If you’re thinking about installing new gutters or repairing/replacing your old ones, contact Holy City Gutterworks now for a free estimate. We can help you choose the best type of gutter system for your specific home and budget.
