Rain Gutter Choices - What Are They?

As a homeowner, you know how important having rain gutters and downspouts on your home can be. Without them you could easily be looking at foundation damage and a wet basement. If you are looking to get new gutters, here are some of your options and things to look for.

Choosing the type of rain gutter you want can often come down to personal choice, and your budget. Aluminum gutters are the most common type used by far. There are many advantages to using aluminum that are attractive to homeowners everywhere. It is lightweight and very easy to work with. It's also low maintenance and low cost.

Vinyl gutters are another choice that is quite popular. They last a long time; never need repainted, and are the least expensive gutters available. The drawback is that if you live in a cold weather climate they tend to crack, especially if ice forms inside the channel.

Copper gutters are an option if you have a good-sized budget to work with. Their appearance is incredible and they last forever.

Steel is yet another choice that may homeowners make. They are strong and handle the rain and elements very well. The drawback is that they are also costly.

Other less popular options fro rain gutters include wood, zinc, nickel and others.

The one thing to keep in mind regardless of which material you choose is to get the right size of channel. Choose a 6-7 inch channel if you live in wet climates that see a lot of rainfall every year. A 4-6 inch channel is fine for less rainy climates.