What Are Rain Gutters Made Of? A Complete Material Guide

Foundation damage, flooded basements, cracked driveways, icy walkways, and rotted fascia and soffit can be a rude awakening for homeowners, especially those with poor-quality rain gutters. 

The good news? You can protect your home and loved ones with the right rain gutter construction. But with so many options available, how do you choose the best gutter material? 

In this complete guide, we’ll share the four most common rain gutter materials along with what to look for, what to avoid, and how to install and maintain them so you can avoid the dreaded phone call with your homeowner’s insurance company.

4 Common Types of Gutters for Homeowners

Rain gutters capture water from your roof after a storm to divert the water from your home’s foundation. But what are rain gutters made of? Here are the four most common gutter types for your home: aluminum, copper, vinyl (PVC), and steel.

Aluminum gutters are a popular choice for Utah homeowners, and for good reason. These gutters can last up to 30 years in any climate. Aluminum gutters are durable, lightweight, and come in various colors and textures to match your home’s style.

*The cost rating is based on affordability, with 1 = most affordable and 10 = most expensive.

Copper gutters are the best choice if you’re looking for strong, long-lasting, and aesthetically appealing rain gutters. Copper gutters are known for their curb appeal and extreme reliability. They’re ideal for historic homes built in the 1800s to the early 1970s. Copper gutters have beautiful patinas but must be resealed often to avoid oxidation.

Vinyl (PVC) is the most affordable and convenient rain gutter material available at most hardware stores. Even though vinyl rain gutters are a budget-friendly option, they’re prone to cracks and may need to be replaced more frequently, costing you more money in the long run.

Steel gutters are a great choice if you’re looking for heavy-duty rain gutter materials that can withstand harsh weather conditions while offering maximum curb appeal. With steel gutters, you have two options: galvanized steel and stainless steel. 

Galvanized steel is coated with zinc to prevent rusting, whereas stainless steel is already rust-resistant.

What to Look for in Rain Gutter Materials

When looking for the best material for gutters, you’ll need to consider factors like climate suitability, budget-friendliness, maintenance requirements, and aesthetics. Let’s look at how each type of gutter stacks up against the others.

As a Utah homeowner, you experience all four seasons, sometimes more than once a year. Aluminum, copper, and steel rain gutters are the best gutter material for harsh weather conditions. However, aluminum may dent, especially after hailstorms.

Vinyl is the most budget-friendly and accessible option for your home, but it may need to be replaced more often. If you’re looking for the next-best affordable option, aluminum and steel are great alternatives.

While copper rain gutter materials may have the highest price point, they offer the best value for aesthetics and longevity for your home. Copper develops a beautiful green patina over time (where the metal oxidizes and turns a different color), which many homeowners love.

Rain Gutter Materials to Stay Away From

So far, you’ve learned about the different types of gutter materials and factors to consider for your home, but what gutter materials should you stay away from? Let’s discuss.

While each rain gutter material offers advantages, some materials aren’t as reliable as others. Vinyl rain gutters are one of them. While vinyl is the cheapest and easiest material to install, it cracks under extreme weather conditions and often needs to be replaced every 10 to 15 years.

Weather and poor installation are the two common denominators of why certain gutter materials fail. Vinyl and unprotected steel aren’t the most reliable options to protect your home against harsh weather conditions.

Not every rain gutter material is suitable for every region. Vinyl can crack more easily during frigid and hot temperatures, and unprotected steel can rust in areas with frequent snowfall.

Rain Gutter Maintenance Guidelines by Material

By now, you should understand what gutter materials to choose for your home, but how should you maintain them? Here are a few specific care instructions and seasonal maintenance tips to keep your rain gutters clean all year long.

Every type of gutter has specific care instructions to enhance its curb appeal and longevity. Let’s look at how to care for each type of gutter material.

• • Avoid leaning a ladder against your rain gutters. 
  • Check for dents after heavy storms. 
  • Remove leaves, broken branches, and dirt often.

• • Use a soft cloth and mild soap to remove stains. 
  • Wear gloves to prevent oil-smudged hands.
  • Reseal any cracks or leaks.

• • Look for clogs frequently. 
  • Quickly replace any cracked or brittle sections. 
  • Flush out debris to avoid clogs.

• • Check for dents, cracks, and rust.
  • Apply rust-resistant sealant if you find any rust spots. 
  • Re-paint if needed.

• • Check your gutters for damage after rain, hail, snow, and wind storms. 
  • Remove broken tree branches, fallen leaves, and dirt. 
  • Look for rust spots to repaint or reseal quickly. 
  • Check the downspouts to ensure water moves away from your foundation.
  • Place gutter guards to keep your gutters protected from dirt and debris.

Rain Gutter Installation Considerations: When to DIY or Call an Expert

Installing new rain gutters may seem like a quick weekend project, but depending on your chosen material, you may be looking at a larger time frame. Some materials are DIY-friendly, while others require a professional rain gutter installation.

If you’re a fan of DIY projects and have a simple roofline, there are certain rain gutter materials you can install yourself. However, you might want to call an expert when working with multiple stories and heavier materials.

Some rain gutter materials have trickier installations than others. Here are a few things to remember when deciding whether you need a professional installation.

Aluminum rain gutters are simple to cut and install yourself. Just be sure to avoid putting too much pressure on the ladder so you don’t cause dents.

Vinyl rain gutters are found in most hardware stores and are easy to install. However, you should inspect your vinyl gutters often for cracks and slight movement after storms and extreme temperatures.

A professional should always install copper rain gutters since they require custom shaping without damaging the finish.

Steel rain gutter materials are heavy to install and require two people. They also needed to be coated with zinc to prevent rust.

If you’re looking for the best gutter material and professional rain gutter installation for your Utah home, call M&M Gutters. We have over three decades of experience installing aluminum, copper, and steel rain gutters for homeowners like you.