Do Roofers Do Gutters?

Posted by Corey Zeller Comments Off on Do Roofers Do Gutters? Uncategorized

Do Roofers Do Gutters?

Before any homeowner embarks on a repair journey, they want to know that they are in the best hands. And, ultimately, who will be doing the actual work on their home.

At Proven Contracting, we are home systems specialists; we know how important maintaining every aspect of your home is to its value and longevity. Clients ask about how gutters play into the process of replacing siding or roofs. Many people view these pieces of their home as individual items, instead of an ecosystem.

But when it comes to replacing the parts or doing the work, they expect the same people to do it. We’ve compiled a short primer on who does what in the replacement process.

Who Replaces Gutters?

Like roofing and siding, gutters are replaced by specialists who focus on only one aspect of the job. We facilitate and manage the entire process, whether you want to replace one small piece or the entire roof and facade of your home.

As contractors, we work with the best subcontractors in Ocean and Monmouth counties to ensure that every piece of your home is updated for value and lasting impact.

If you are interested in replacing your gutters, all you need to do is call us. Before sending someone out to measure, evaluate, and price the job, we will happily discuss any questions you have about who will be doing the work and how long it will take.

You’ll be able to talk through the options for roofing, siding, or gutter installation services, learn about the process, and discuss the best needs for your home.

While gutters are technically independent of the siding and roofing, it does make the most sense to replace them when you are doing other work to the facade of your home. Gutters typically need to be removed before either of the other processes can be started.

How Long Does It Take To Replace Gutters?

Gutter replacements are typically finished in less than a day. This will obviously depend on the layout and location of your home. Larger homes with multiple stories, damaged or rotten fascia, or a steep grade might require more time to access and replace.

The entire process (from consultation to finishing) can take a month, depending on the season, availability of your material choices, and crew scheduling.
The job involves removing the original gutters, checking the fascia boards that hold up your gutters, trim, soffit (the piece of your roof that is on the underside of the eaves and allows passive air ingress without allowing water, which helps the r-value of your roof system), and any contact points of the gutter system.

Once every piece is deemed sturdy and other work is completed, the new gutters can be quickly installed, often in less than a day at the very end of a job.

What Kind Of Gutters Are There?

There are multiple styles of gutters, but most homes use seamless “K Style” gutters because they are the most expedient, affordable, and easily customizable option.

Here are the major options for gutter choice:

Half-Round Gutters:

These rounded gutters look exactly like they sound. Thankfully they are mostly a thing of the past because they are not as efficient as modern k style gutters. They are not as deep as the k style gutters and are being replaced for more efficient gutters on most homes.

Overlapping Traditional Gutters:

These gutters are purchased in precut segments that are joined along your roof and cut to fit. While at one time these were the top choice, today almost everyone uses seamless because they are more efficient and easier to install in custom lengths.

Seamless:

Seamless gutters are really the best option for pretty much every home. During seamless gutter installation, a box truck comes with flat metal sheets (in the style of your choice and gauge) that are put through an extruder to shape the metal into a gutter system. What most people love about these gutters is that they have fewer failure points than traditional overlapping gutter systems and come in a variety of styles and sizes.

How Customizable Are Gutters?

Gutter systems are incredibly customizable and can be made to match any home. Aluminum is the most common gutter material, but some choose to use copper on their homes.

Copper is the highest end option for gutter materials. Copper gutters are the Rolls Royce of gutter systems. Over time, they will develop a beautiful weathered patina, but unfortunately are incredibly expensive, hard to source, and difficult to safely install. Careful installation is a necessity with copper gutters as they are very prone to denting with light contact.

But after choosing a material (most likely aluminum), the customization options are endless. Black and white are the most common, but some people choose to match their siding. Remember that the more custom a color choice, the more expensive it will be.

When Should I Replace My Gutters?

Most people view the gutters, siding, or roofing elements as individual items, instead of an ecosystem that works together to protect a home. But when one piece is damaged it can hurt other parts of your home. While gutters feel the least important of the three, they play a critical job in keeping your attic dry and moving water away from critical points along the foundation of your home.

There’s no right or wrong time to replace pieces of your home, and it’s okay to want a facelift. However, we believe it’s most effective to replace siding, roofing, and gutters simultaneously because they operate as a full system. If there is damage, that is a different story. Check out our article on when to do a gutter repair or replacement.

The longer you leave outdated or broken gutters on your home, the more likely you are to need extensive repairs.

If you are worried about your gutters or want to explore updating your home, contact us and our gutter contractors at Proven Contracting today, where we’ve served Southern New Jersey residents for over five years.