Gutters play an important role in keeping your home safe from rain and other harmful things. Without the gutters of your home, if there is a lot of snow and rain, the ground will be eroded and your roof and windows can be damaged. Your house could be full of water, which causes many other problems. That’s why it’s very crucial to choose the right gutters for your property.
It can be difficult to find the right gutter for your home, especially if you are not sure what features you want. Vinyl vs aluminum gutters? Vinyl is a more affordable option that does not require maintenance, but it also has limitations. Vinyl is prone to rusting and cracking with age, which ultimately leads to leaks in your roof. On the other hand, aluminum gutters are durable and long-lasting, but they are expensive upfront. So which should homeowners choose?
The answer lies in understanding the pros and cons of both types of gutters so that you can make an informed decision about choosing vinyl or aluminum for your house. In this blog post, we have written very in detail about vinyl vs aluminum gutters, as a homeowner which one should you choose according to your home and your living area condition?
What is an Aluminum Gutter?
Aluminum gutters are the most popular type of gutters right now in today’s market. Aluminum gutters are very strong and durable. They can withstand bad weather. The material used to make them is resistant to rust, so you don’t have to call a gutter cleaning company often. If you choose, though, they can be maintained very easily on your own. Aluminum gutters come in different styles, shapes, and sizes. You can paint them any color you want! But they also have good parts and bad parts. Aluminum gutters have advantages and drawbacks. By knowing the advantages and drawbacks, you can decide if they are a good option for your home or not.
Pros of Aluminum Gutters
- Aluminum gutters are very durable
- They can last for 50 years or even more than that
- They are suitable for almost any climate
- Aluminium isn’t as easily bendable as vinyl that may crack
- Lightweight but heavier than vinyl
- They resist rusting and corrosion
- They don’t need to be painted often
- It is available in over 20 different colors, which makes it easy to find a color that matches your home
Cons of Aluminum Gutters
- Aluminum gutters are very expensive
- During heavy snow and hail storms, aluminum can dent
- Suitable for installation by professionals only
- In order to maintain the original appearance of a gutter, it will be necessary to repaint it every year since the enamel coating that protects against rust can chip.
- While rainwater is funneled through the downspouts, aluminum can make a lot of noise
- They have to be cleaned occasionally, but this is not a big issue
What is a Vinyl Gutter?
Vinyl gutters are also strong and durable like aluminum gutters. This gutter is made of durable PVC plastic. Vinyl gutters are one of the most common choices because they’re affordable and easy to maintain. They look good on your home as well. The price of a vinyl gutter is affordable, but they require maintenance every few years because they might get rusted or cracked with age.
This problem leads to leaks in the roof which cause water damage problems inside the house so it’s not safe for any homeowner who wants to choose this type of gutter. But compared to other gutter materials, these are highly affordable gutters that are easy to install and lighter in weight. If you’re a DIY enthusiast or have experience installing gutters and downspouts, You can easily install vinyl gutter yourself. You’ll need some essential tools for the job.
Installing these gutters is as simple as snapping them together. That’s why they’re so popular in the DIY market. And because vinyl gutters are made from plastic, they are extremely corrosion-resistant and scratch-resistant. The gutters don’t come in many different colors, so you won’t have to worry about selecting the wrong one.
Pros of Vinyl Gutter
- Vinyl is more affordable than aluminum gutters.
- They are lightweight, easy to install, and maintenance-free.
- Installation of them can be done easily without professional help which saves some money also.
- These gutters don’t need painting so it’s not necessary for you to paint your home exterior every year.
- Vinyl has a long life span.
- These gutters suit almost any type of home design.
- They don’t get rusty or corroded easily.
Cons of Vinyl Gutter
- They can bend and bow with heavy rain or from the weight of debris.
- They can crack and rust with age which causes leaks in the roof eventually causing water damage to your home.
- They are not as corrosion-resistant and scratch-resistant as aluminum gutters.
- Vinyl is a common material used in the construction of these types of gutters so it’s easy to get damaged or broken by any object falling down on them. So, this can be dangerous for you if your children will play outside near the home exterior without adult supervision. But safety precautions can solve this problem easily.
- A low-quality vinyl gutter may last no only 3-5 years
Aluminum Vs. Vinyl Gutters, A Detailed Comparison
Ease of Installation
PVC gutters are extremely easy to install, as you probably already know. Snap-together PVC gutters allow for do-it-yourself installation, Is it true, however, that installing vinyl gutters is considerably easier than aluminum ones? Since vinyl gutters are not seamless, it may take time to place each section separately. As a result, most people don’t want to go through this hectic process—especially if they’re already busy with other home improvements or repairs. But if you’re not interested in doing the job yourself and can easily find a gutter installation professional to help out, that would be fantastic.
Aluminum gutters are not as lightweight as vinyl ones. But aluminum gutters have fewer seams and some aluminum gutters are even seamless. These types of gutters will be easier to install than vinyl ones. You can install these types of gutter yourself if you have the right knowledge or you can easily find gutter installation professionals who prefer to work with aluminum, so you shouldn’t have any problems finding someone to help.
Performance
In climates with strong winds, heavy rain, or snow, vinyl gutters usually don’t last because of their lightweight. Generally, they do better in dry, mild climates. Despite their resistance to rust, they can sag and crack when they are overburdened by extreme sun heat. Vinyl gutters are only available in sections as opposed to aluminum gutters with seamless options. This causes them to leak more frequently. Due to their weather sensitivity, vinyl gutters have an average life of a decade.
Despite adverse weather conditions, aluminum gutters are more durable. Though metal has the potential to rust, thick gutters can last for a long time without deteriorating. You can also paint aluminum gutters to extend their service life further. Aluminum gutters are durable and can last for more than half a century because they are strong and perform well. They are more water-efficient than vinyl gutters, though they require more maintenance.
Long-Term Costs
Aluminum gutters have a higher initial cost, but they’re cheaper over the long term. In fact, aluminum is typically one of the most durable types of rain gutters available on today’s market. Vinyl guttering has a lower initial cost and requires less maintenance than aluminum ones. But it costs more in gutter repairs or maintenance down the road.
Durability
Durability must be considered when comparing the two gutters. A durable product can withstand wear, pressure, and damage. Although they are both considered durable, vinyl vs aluminum gutters has different characteristics that make each better depending on the environment and conditions where they will be installed. Since aluminum gutters are non-corrosive and do not bend, they are more durable. In terms of price and durability, these gutter types are outstanding.
Aluminum gutter systems typically last for upwards of 20 years, regardless of climate. Although vinyl gutters are corrosion-resistant and long-lasting, they have a limited lifespan due to the fact that plastic may fracture or grow brittle over time. In most climates, aluminum gutters are much more durable than vinyl gutters, unless you live in a very mild or mostly dry region. Again, aluminum gutters have the edge over vinyl gutters when it comes to longevity.
Cost Differences
In terms of cost, vinyl gutters typically are the more affordable choice so long as you do not live in a northern climate (because their tendency to crack requires that they be replaced more often). At present, vinyl gutters cost between $5 and $10 per section, resulting in an average installation cost of $1,220 to $1,615 per home. Further, vinyl is more cost-effective in the long run because it doesn’t require painting and is, therefore, easier to maintain.
Aluminum gutters are more expensive than vinyl. Aluminum gutters are long-lasting and remain durable, but they are also more expensive. A typical aluminum gutter installation costs between $1,930 and $2,545 with the current price range of $9 to $14 per section. Additionally, painted aluminum gutters could crack depending on the climate and grounds. If you purchase a product that is prematurely prone to chipping, make sure to check the manufacturer’s warranty before purchasing it.
Color Options
When it comes to color and design, aluminum is the best choice if you’d like to select a particular design or color. More than 20 colors and styles are offered for these gutters.
On the other hand, vinyl gutters are available in only white and a few other colors. There are no huge color options available. In the case of brown, it will fade away over time, especially when exposed to direct sunlight. Since white gutters tend to rust more easily, choosing aluminum gutters is the better option.
Conclusion
Aluminum gutters are more durable than vinyl, but they cost more to install. Vinyl gutter systems offer a shorter lifespan and fewer design options compared to aluminum ones.
In the end, aluminum gutters provide homeowners with better value for money because of their durability which is why many people prefer them over other types of rain gutters. If you’re going to invest in a gutter system, you will be happy with the results if you choose aluminum gutters.
There are many benefits to choosing aluminum gutters. Aluminum is non-corrosive and resists rusting so it doesn’t require painting which saves homeowners from having to repaint their home’s exterior annually. Furthermore, aluminum gutters aren’t very lightweight compared to vinyl gutters. So it could be a little bit difficult during installation.
Vinyl gutter systems are cost-effective in comparison to aluminum ones but they can be damaged more easily by storms or inclement weather conditions which means homeowners will have to pay contractors to repair their vinyl gutters. Vinyl may be difficult to install on your own because it is not seamless.