Various materials are available for your gutters depending on your budget, wants and needs. Copper gutters are a popular choice for many homeowners despite being twice as expensive as other gutter materials. Its durable design, corrosion-resistant material, aesthetically pleasing looks and long-lasting construction, make it a great choice for homeowners worldwide.
Are Copper Gutters Worth It?
Copper gutters tend to be admired by many homeowners for how well they hold up, how they look and their high resale value. With other types of gutter materials, you have to repair and reseal to prevent leaks. However, with properly soldered copper gutters, they will stand the test of time without leaks. Copper gutters can last between 50-80 years with proper maintenance and care compared to vinyl (10-20 years) or aluminum (20 or more years). If you dread replacing your gutter system, you may want to consider copper.
Gutters made of copper will not rust or wear down due to their durable material. However, copper does weather due to environmental factors and age. The copper material can turn into a patina color so if you appreciate vintage looks, you might not mind this. Copper gutters that turn into the patina color can be cleaned and reverted to the original copper color or stained to achieve a different look. Although copper gutters cost more upfront, consider them as an investment to save money in the long run and achieve a higher value on your home.
Types of Copper Gutters
Gutters made of copper can come in various shapes and styles such as K-style, half-round gutters, copper box gutters, etc. Due to the shape of K-style copper gutters, they tend to be easily cleaned and maintained making them a very popular choice for many homeowners. There are different designs such as sectional or seamless gutters, although seamless tends to prevent sagging and leaking the best.
Copper Benefits
Copper gutters are very eco-friendly and long-lasting. Even after they wear down, copper gutters are 100% recyclable. Copper gutters are durable and often do not corrode. The superiority of the material makes it harder for mildew and mold to grow in your gutters. In addition, because of their sturdy design, copper gutters do not crack, bend or wrap overtime. This allows copper material to have lower costly repairs.
Copper Drawbacks
Despite being very durable, copper gutters can require more maintenance and upkeep depending on the look you want to achieve. As copper ages, it turns different colors. If you want a certain color, you may have to clean it regularly or apply sealants to preserve its natural color. In addition, copper gutters tend to be heavier and require additional support to hold them up securely. A gutter made of copper must be professionally installed because of its heavy weight and the need to solder pieces together.
Copper Gutter Prices
According to Angi and HomeAdvisor, copper gutters can cost anywhere between $20-$40 per linear foot and $4,000-$8,000 for complete installation. These are estimated costs and your price may vary based on many factors such as accessories, gutter guards, location and labor rates. Depending on the company you want to consider when buying copper gutters, you can call for a free estimate to determine the best price for your home. Although there are DIY copper gutters available, it is strongly advised to not do this because if improperly installed you could deal with a lot more issues in the future.
Copper gutters can be the most expensive choice, but for their long-lasting durability and looks, you cannot ask for more. If you’re considering copper gutters make sure to do your research on the material and different companies that offer services in your local area. At All American Gutter Protection, we offer same-day free estimates that are good for one year! We offer copper gutters and aluminum gutters in a copper color depending on your wants and needs.
