By directing rain and melting snow away from your home, your gutters protect your roof from leaks, your windows from rot, and your foundation from erosion. Not all gutter materials offer the same benefits, though. Low cost and ease of installation have helped vinyl and aluminum gutters gain popularity, but some situations call for the leak-resistance and strength of steel gutters.

Doing your research will help you find the material that meets the demands of your climate and your budget.

Vinyl: Affordable and Easy to Install

If you’re on a tight budget, in a mild, dry climate, or considering DIY installation, vinyl gutters will meet your needs. On the downside, they don’t last as long as metal gutters.

Vinyl (PVC) gutters have become a popular choice largely due to their low price and lightweight. You can find these gutters for around $3 to $5 per 10-foot section.

Because they’re lightweight, they’re easy to handle and install. The sections snap together and don’t require joints or riveting. This cuts down on the time and cost of professional installation and even makes DIY installation possible.

Vinyl gutters are also low maintenance. They won’t rust or corrode and won’t be dented by wind-blown tree limbs or badly placed ladders. The color is embedded in the material, rather than painted or powder-coated on, so scratches and dings are less noticeable. These gutters come in a wide variety of colors, so you won’t have to paint them to match your roof.

Steel: Durable and Leak-Resistant

Steels gutters can take years of abuse from inclement weather and still perform perfectly. The most durable models don’t come cheap, though.

Steel gutters are available in both galvanized steel and stainless steel versions. The main difference between the two is their resistance to rust and corrosion. Galvanized steel, despite its protective coating, will usually be destroyed by rust within 20 years. Stainless steel won’t rust or corrode at all, so you can expect these gutters to last for several decades.

Beyond this, both are exceptionally tough and stand up to snow, hail, wind, and heat without sustaining dents or cracks. Steel gutters are available in seamless models and seamed models. In seamed steel gutters, the seams are soldered and riveted, so they’re less likely to leak.

Unlike aluminum gutters, steel gutters can be used with any type of shingle without the added risk of corrosion.

ABOUT US:

FabuHouse is the leading brand of modular/prefab houses in China. Ever imagine a house being manufactured in a factory-like a car? That’s what we do. We bring to your door highly integrated and standardized components produced under strict quality control. With these components, you could easily assemble your future home in a DIY way like a Lego master.

With our all-bolt-connected light steel frame, certified by international patents, and the entire maintenance system like wall panels, staircase, and balcony all prefabricated in a factory, you can build your own FabuHouse within days at a lower budget. Our solution covers a mid-to-high-end villa, apartment, and townhouse building and applies to the whole global market

For instance, in Europe, our products apply to UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Norway; in Southeastern Asia: Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia; and other regions: US, Canada, Mexico, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and so on. Wherever green building materials and techniques are needed, FabuHouse will be there for you.