Gutter Types - Copper v. Aluminum

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

There are many style and material options to choose from when looking into installing a new gutter system for your home. Though aluminum gutters are the most common choice, copper gutters are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners recently. If you’re stuck between options, here’s a quick overview comparing the two to help you make your decision a little easier:

1. Price Point and Product Worth:
Copper

• More pricey than alternative options, but cost is justified by high durability.
• Copper adds an element of beauty to a home that is unmatched by other gutter options.
• Installing copper gutters increases your property value significantly.

Aluminum

• On the lower-end of the cost spectrum for gutter material options.
• Less durable than copper, so more prone to frequent repairs and replacements.

2. Installation Requirements

Copper

• Copper gutter systems are heavier, and therefore require extra support.
• Professional installation is recommended due to weight and difficulty of modification.
• Special handling is required to prevent copper discoloration.

Aluminum

• The easiest type of gutters to cut, mold and secure.
• Though professional installation is always recommended, aluminum gutters are the easiest product for DIY installation or repairs.
• Come in a variety of color options and are paintable.

3. Maintenance Needs

Copper

• Develops a patina which protects and beautifies the metal.
• Rarely needs surface maintenance.
• Must use gloves and special tools when cleaning out the gutters to preserve the metal.

Aluminum

• Has the tendency to rust over time, needing more frequent cleaning, and painting touch-ups.
• May incur problems in high wind due to lightweight material and less secure fasteners.

At All Aluminum Gutters, we provide a wide variety of gutter installation options, including both copper and aluminum materials. If live in Long Island, Queens, the Bronx, Westchester or the surrounding areas and need help choosing the perfect gutter system to fit your home’s needs, give us a call at 631-816-2498 and our gutter experts would be happy to assist you!

Everything You Need to Know About Gutters

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

Believe it or not, gutters are not one size fits all! The first step in deciding to install a new gutter system is learning about the different shape options and color styles available, and figuring out what works best with your budget, and your home's structure and design. For your convenience we’ve compiled a quick gutter overview, including the most popular styles and gutter materials for you to choose from.

First, let’s review the two basic gutter types, which are named after the shape of their cross sections:

1. K-Style - These gutters have a flat bottom and back, and a decorative front side that resembles crown moulding. The K-Style gutter comes in many different ornate designs and patterns to suit your home’s personal style. This style is popular for it’s high water capacity, which doubles that of half-round gutters.


2. Half-Round - Just as its name suggests, half-round style gutters are rounded from front to back. This style is typically found on historic homes, or older construction with natural character. Although these gutters hold less water than K-Style gutters, they are considerably cheaper at nearly 50% less cost.

Next, we’ll go over the most common types of gutter materials that you can choose from:

• Aluminum - This is the most commonly used material because it’s in low cost and DIY friendly. Aluminum gutters will not rust and are available in a variety of colors, and can even be painted to match your home perfectly.
• Copper - Choosing this option will be the heavier on your budget, but the beauty of copper gutter systems is unmatched. These gorgeous gutters don’t need to be painted, but will develop a natural patina over time. Copper gutters need to be welded together when installed, so professional installation is required..
• Seamless Aluminum - Also referred to as continuous gutters, this option is custom molded right at the job site, and must be done by a professional. The gutter installation professional will form the appropriate gutter lengths to fit your home, using a large spool of flat aluminum and a gutter-forming machine. According to HouseLogic.com, “about 70% of all gutter installations are the seamless type.”This option is average in price and gives your home a fully-finished, sharp look.
• Steel - Though slightly more pricey than aluminum and seamless aluminum, steel gutters are extremely strong and resist rust for up to 10 years. They come in a variety of colors and can be painted. Professional installation is recommended due to the material’s heavy weight.

At All Aluminum Gutters, we provide all of these gutter options and more! Our high quality customer service and commitment to providing top notch products at affordable rates is what makes us the obvious choice for all of your gutter installation and repair needs. To learn more about our gutter installation process and the styles that we offer, click here or call 631-816-2498.

Gutter Cleaning Safety

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

Though extremely necessary, gutter cleaning can also be a very dangerous task. Without the proper tools and preparation, you may end up doing more harm to yourself, than good to your home. Before you get out there on the ladder, take a look at these gutter cleaning safety tips that we feel are essential to keep in mind when doing DIY gutter maintenance:

1. Ladder Height: It is important to use the proper sized ladder when doing any type of home maintenance to the face of your home. Generally, if you are doing maintenance on a one-story home, your ladder should be about 11 feet tall.

2. Hand Protection: Make sure to wear work gloves when digging out the debris from your gutters. Wearing gloves protects you from cuts and scrapes caused by sharp debris or torn gutters. Your gutters also have the potential to host harmful mold and bacteria, so it’s important that you eliminate hand-to-hand contact to prevent health issues.

3. Fall-Proof Plan: Don’t try to juggle all of your gutter cleaning tools up the ladder and risk taking a fall. Instead, put your tools in a bucket and tie the rope to the top of the ladder so you can hoist your tools up once you reach the top.

4. Strap In: Depending on the roof pitch, sometimes it makes more sense to clean gutters from the roof rather than on a ladder. If you choose this method, make sure to strap into a harness and attach it to the roof to prevent an accidental fall.

5. Helping Hand: It’s always a good idea to enlist help whenever available for any home maintenance task. A helper can be there to pass tools, hold the ladder, and assist in any other way you may need. If a helper isn’t available make a neighbor or family member aware that you’ll be cleaning your gutters so that someone is around to check-in and make sure you’re safe and sound!

DIY gutter cleaning isn’t for everyone, which is why we provide quality gutter cleaning services to Long Island, Queens, Westchester and the surrounding areas all year-round. If you’re looking for a convenient and efficient gutter cleaning experience, call All Aluminum Gutters at 631-816-2498 today! We offer a wide selection of cleaning and repair services to suit all of your gutter needs.