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Choose from the many options to match your home
One continuous length of
gutter makes for a pleasant appearance, funcitonality and low maintenance.
Though called seamless, there are seams on this style of gutter but they occur
on the ends where a cap is placed and on the corners, sometimes called
miters.
If you are installing seamless gutters there are options:
- aluminum, embossed copper and the seldom used steel and galvanized
- colors
- thickness or guage of metal
- hangers or spikes and ferrules
When getting your gutter
delivered, a truck with a gutter machine on the back will mold the metal
coil into your seamless gutter in the length desired. Be sure to measure
correctly !! Don't end up with a pile of scrap aluminum! Measure across the
fascia and tack on about 1/2 inch on each side to allow for the side edging
overhang.
If you know where your outlets are going, ask the contractor if
they will punch your outlet holes for you. Typically they have a gutter
outlet hole punch and this can be much easier than cutting the hole
yourself.
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Aged Patina for your rustic home makes for a classic
lookCopper has been used in making gutters for years and still
provides a beautiful look and long lasting rain management system. Depending you
your local climate copper gutters will first turn from the bright orange to a
dull brown. At around five years old your gutter will begin to achieve the
patina that aged copper is known for. If you can't wait for nature to run
its course, there are chemicals that can create this patina effect if applied
properly.
Most copper gutters can last a homeowners lifetime providing
they are taken care of. They are very durable and will not corrode
as fast as aluminum, zinc or galvanized.
There is some downside to
using copper gutters.
- The expense for installing copper gutters can be ten times as much as
aluminum or vinyl.
- The typical homeowner may find installation very difficult. Soldering is
required for gutter seams, outlets and endcaps.
- Copper in contact with other metals can cause damage to both metals. When
choosing hangers, if you don't use copper, use brass hangers and copper
pop rivets with brass pins.
Choices for your copper gutter systemCopper gutters come
in different sizes and styles suitable for your architecture. K-style,
half-round and light to heavy gauge copper offer varied choices, with typical
sizes running from 4-8 inches. Downspouts can be corrugated, square or round
tubes. Gutter hangers and straps for downspouts are available in bronze
and provide a nice contrast. Copper leader boxes provide an appealing look while
adding functionality to your system.
Deciding whether your home's
architecture will be enhanced by copper patina is a big decision. If you can
afford to have them installed or do it yourself, copper gutters will
prove their worth in exterior home appeal and longevity.
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