Continuous Gutter
Continuous gutters are a type of gutter system installed along the roofline of a building to collect and channel rainwater away from the structure. Unlike sectional gutters, which are pieced together in sections, continuous gutters are made from a single piece of material that is custom-fabricated to fit the length of the roofline.
Continuous gutters are typically made of materials such as aluminum, copper, or steel, and are available in a variety of colors to match the building’s exterior. They are designed to be seamless, meaning they have no joints or connections where water can leak through, providing a more effective way to protect the building from water damage.
One of the advantages of continuous gutters is that they require less maintenance than sectional gutters because they have fewer joints and connections that can become clogged with debris. Additionally, because they are custom-fabricated to fit the specific roofline of a building, they provide a more tailored and attractive appearance.
Overall, continuous gutters are an effective and low-maintenance way to protect a building from water damage and enhance its curb appeal.
Continuous gutters are just another name for seamless gutters. These terms
are used interchangeably. Either way you say it, gutters are an integral part
of water shed for your entire home.
The first major takeaway regarding seamless aluminum gutter will always be
the price. When you call your local gutter installation company and begin the
process of updating your homes gutter system. You will receive an estimate for
the job. There is always a bit of a sticker shock especially if you have been
to a large building store and priced the per/ft price of 10′ sections of
aluminum seamless gutters.
A 10′ piece of aluminum gutter can be purchased as low as $15.00 per stick.
When you add up the perimeter of your home you come up with a number somewhere
close to 150′. Doing the math that comes out to $225 for buying the gutter to
wrap your home up tight. Right?
Well, there are a few other things you have to add before those gutters will
be a working gutter system. Next few items you will need to purchase are as
follows – gutter hangers $3/each, section connecting joints $7/each, outlet
sections $12/each, downspout connectors$6, end caps $5, downspout elbows $12,
downspouts $15, miters for all inside and outside corners $25, sealant for
joints $9, downspout straps $5, saws for cutting sections, screws, impact
drills, drill bits, ladders, bullet levels, chalk lines, and all the other hand
and power tools to support a general contractor activity.
After using up half of one of your days off work you get all your supplies bought.
You have all your tools pooled together getting ready for the big installation
day. You start to pull down all your old gutters and find a soft spot in your
fascia wood in one of the inside corners close to the front door. As any
responsible homeowner would do is gather more tools to get that section of wood
removed so you can get it replaced. Going back to the hardware store to get
more supplies and tools you finally get the wood replaced and painted or
rewrapped with aluminum. The suns going down so we will have to wait till
tomorrow to do the installation.
After you get rolling the next day the measuring for downspouts will be the
logical place to start. There are only 4 downspouts on your home, so this part
goes pretty easy, just getting them lined up vertically is a little tricky but
do-able. Then cut in the end caps and connectors to finish off the ends of your
gutters. The next step will go easy also, hanging the 10′ pieces between
downpipe outlet sections following the chalk lines you have placed on the
fascia previously. After all the gutters and connectors have been screwed together,
we must make sure all the seams have been sealed and waterproof. The last step
will be placing the downspout sections including the 3 elbows each downpipe
will need. No problem, right? Maybe $700 spent and 2 or even 3 days of work
climbing up and down the ladder at least 100 times, a good gutter company can
do in 1 day with no seams for $1400-$1900.
Now you’re asking yourself why am I paying double or even higher the price
for a gutter company to install my gutters. I do encourage DIY projects consistently
but I must be honest and say gutters are really not a project most homeowners
should tackle. I think anyone whom has done this would agree with me.
The first and most important drawback will start with leaking seams. The
sealant is either installed wrong or the quality of sealant doesn’t lend itself
to working well in a wet, weather exposed environment. When these leaks start,
they are practically impossible to stop. A seamless gutter will never spring a
leak in the straight long runs or even the short ones.
The next reason I would go with a qualified gutter company installation will
be color choice. Most Box stores have 2 colors, brown or white. Gutter
installers have access to 20+ colors. This will match your homes look a feel
better. Plus, they will have all the pieces to finish the job on the first
visit. Goes without saying but we all make multiple trips to the hardware store
when DIY projects this size start. That’s even if they even have all the pieces
you need.
Now just consider with many multiple sections of gutters pieced together
around your home, the angle of these sections could be off just a little on a
few of those sections. If this angle is off enough the gutters will leak over
when it rains hard enough. This will now cause pooling in certain section of
those brand-new gutters, this will cause the seams to fail quicker and the
leaks begin. With no one to call for repair of workmanship, which most reputable
gutter companies should include, you are forced back to hardware store looking
for more sealant.
Gutter companies will clean up after the job is done. You will not have to
worry about disposing the old gutters, taking back the dozens of extra pieces
you have over bought. The back and forth to the home store is overwhelmingly
frustrating for all of us who have tried these major home projects.
I am certain I have left out many other miniscule details of a DIY
installation. If someone out there has an experience doing your gutter job alone,
I would enjoy your feedback.
Signing off for now. Ken
