Top 5 Best Gutter Materials

Is it time to add or update gutters on your home? Gutters not only add a really nice appearance to the exterior of your home but also have a lot of practical functionality for why you need them on your home. We are sharing the best 5 gutter materials for your home!

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Gutters are typically an afterthought when it comes to dreaming up your home exterior. Over time the iconic black gutter has gained popularity in home renovations and new constructions but there are a lot of different types of color and material options available to you. We wanted to break down each kind of gutter material that you can choose from when dreaming up your new home exterior. Whether you’re in the market for new gutters or updating existing gutters, we have the top 5 gutter materials for your home below:

1. Aluminum – Aluminum Gutters are the most popular material used for gutters. These gutters are lightweight and easy to install while still having a nice curb appeal. They are available in many different colors and they can last up to twenty-five years. We can install aluminum gutters on a residential or commercial property!
2. Vinyl – Vinyl Gutters are the most inexpensive choice if you’re looking for a more affordable option. These gutters are not damaged by salty air, so they are great for a beach home. They also will not rust or corrode.
3. Zinc – Zinc rain gutters may be expensive but they are very durable. These gutters can last up to 50 years and won’t rust or fade.
4. Steel– Steel gutters are very strong and can hold up to all weather types. These gutters can also be painted and customized in many different styles.
5. Copper – Copper gutters have a unique curb appeal that attracts many homeowners. It’s the most expensive gutter material, but it’s extremely durable in all types of weather. Copper gutters won’t rust or warp.

Gutters are important for maintaining the longevity of your roof and siding. It draws water away from your house so it cannot sit and eventually penetrate causing leaks. We highly recommend installing gutters if you don’t already have them on your house. If you do have gutters, we also recommend looking into gutter guards to relieve the stress of keeping your gutters clean or having a professional clean your gutters yearly.

Gutters can be made of various materials, each with its own benefits and downsides. The more expensive a material, the longer it lasts and the better it performs. For example, vinyl or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) gutters are the least expensive on the market, but they have a shorter lifespan and are more fragile than higher-quality options. Metal options such as copper and zinc can last for decades and withstand harsh weather conditions but cost thousands of dollars. 

Here’s a more extensive look at the most common gutter materials. 

Vinyl Gutters

Vinyl guards are lightweight, easy to work with, and cost-effective. They can come in various colors. These qualities make them extremely popular for DIY projects because the material is more user-friendly.

The biggest downside to vinyl gutters is their durability. PVC and vinyl are thin and fragile, making them prone to dislodging, snapping, or cracking when hit by tree limbs or hail. They can warp when exposed to extreme heat and get blown away by high winds. These gutters have the shortest lifespan, only lasting 10 to 15 years before requiring replacement. 

We recommend these gutters for homeowners on a tight budget or those who live in coastal areas; coastal climates have air with high salinity that can rust metal gutters. 

Aluminum Gutters

Aluminum is the go-to material for most modern gutter installations. It’s lightweight, easy to work with, moderately low cost, and corrosion-resistant. In ideal conditions and with proper care, aluminum gutters can last up to 20 years. 

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Aluminum is much stronger than PVC or vinyl, allowing it to withstand heavier impacts without breaking or cracking. It’s not as strong as heavier metals and can be prone to bending or denting, especially if ladders or other heavy equipment is placed against it. 

We recommend aluminum gutters for most installations. They can be used in many climates due to their weather resistance and are reasonably priced.

Steel Gutters

Steel is a heavy-duty gutter option, as it’s one of the sturdiest materials on the market. There are two types of steel gutters: galvanized and stainless. Galvanized steel contains an outer layer of zinc that increases weather resistance and prevents rusting. Stainless steel is an alloy that contains 10% to 30% chromium, making it more rust-resistant. Galvanized steel lasts up to 20 years, while stainless steel lasts up to 25 years. 

Galvanized steel is easier to work with and less expensive than stainless steel, but it doesn’t last as long. Galvanized steel’s resistance comes from its zinc coating, so the steel will begin to rust if that coating wears off. This weakness can pose a problem in some climates, including near coastlines where salt water in the air can degrade the coating more quickly. Stainless steel offers superior weatherproofing but costs more, is heavier, and is more difficult to install.

Copper Gutters 

Copper is a luxury metal with many beneficial properties, making it one of the most in-demand materials for roofs and gutters. Copper is resistant to weather and corrosion, lasts up to 50 years with proper maintenance, and is aesthetically pleasing. It’s often seen on historic buildings, adding a regal flair to already beautiful homes. 

Copper gutters can be polished and protected with a coating to maintain their metallic sheen or allowed to weather and develop an emerald-like patina over time. Another major benefit to these gutters is that they’re a natural algaecide and fungicide, so you won’t have to worry about mold or mildew growth. 

Copper comes with a steep price tag, as it’s one of the most expensive gutter materials you can buy. It isn’t as durable as steel and requires more care, upkeep, and specialized training to install. 

Zinc Gutters

Zinc shares many qualities with copper gutters. It is corrosion-resistant, lasts up to 50 years, develops a protective patina, and is aesthetically pleasing. While zinc gutters are more popular in Europe, they have gained traction in the United States in recent years and are becoming more common on high-end and historic homes. 

Like copper, zinc’s patina creates an exterior coating that protects it from weathering. Zinc is more prone to damage from coastal air and shouldn’t be paired with wood-shake roofing, as its acidic runoff can damage the roofing material. Zinc is slightly less expensive than copper. 

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