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7 Responses to “ Which Type Of Roof Gutters Is Better, Vinyl Or Metal? We Live In A Warm Climate.? ”

1. Don // Dec 25, 2009 at 4:55 pm

   If you can afford it, go for Copper. If not use colour steel. Both require little maintenance. (the colour steel needs to be cleaned occasionally). Both need to be installed professionally.
   With vynal you can do it yourself and the supplier will be able to advise you on what you will need to buy. There are regulations which will tell you the number of downpipess for your roof area eg. 1 downpipe for every 1000 square feet. That may change depending upon your locality.
   There are regulations regarding where you can disgorge the water. For instance you cannot discharge it into a neighbouring property, or down the sewer.
   Normally you would discharge the water into a storm water drain, so the cost of that will also have to be added into the mix.
   GOOD LUCK

2. lighteni // Dec 25, 2009 at 5:05 pm

   My favorite gutters are half round copper, but that is expensive. Stainless steel is cheaper, and will last forever, but has a very industrial look. Most people use seamless aluminum gutters. Aluminum will not rust like galvanized metals, can be roll formed on the job resulting in seamless applications, and is reasonably priced. If you have a large valley dumping lots of water, you may want to consider a custom made collector box. Otherwise you may over load the capacity of the gutter in that one area, and water will just pour over the front of the gutter.
   Vinyl gutters aren’t a good solution . They tend to be small, and the seams are not attractive. I relegate them to shallow pitched small out-buildings. They do seem to last a long time. I installed some 15 years ago on my fathers shop in New Orleans, and they still look good. They were hit with some large limbs during Katrina that would have relegated metal gutters to scrap, and are still good, so I don’t think cracking is an issue in a hot climate.

3. Murray H // Dec 25, 2009 at 5:05 pm

   either type works well, in the hotter climate the vinyl may droop from getting a bit soft.

4. T C // Dec 25, 2009 at 5:25 pm

   metal..because the vinyl ones can crack when they become brittle..and when painters come in..they have to put ladders up…and if they put it on vinyl ones..they may crack the vinyl ones…..metal ones look better anyways..and with the metal ones..there are attatchments you can put onto the gutters that might be able to keep leaves out…..etc etc…
   um…this guy thinks they are metal and that they will rust..but thats not true….these gutters are made of “a metal”…and that metal is aluminum….

5. frankysn // Dec 25, 2009 at 6:12 pm

   vinyl onall accunts metal rusts bottom line

6. holykrik // Dec 25, 2009 at 6:40 pm

   Vinyl-covered aluminum, if you want no maintenance.

7. RBRN // Dec 25, 2009 at 7:31 pm

   vinyl gutters aren’t made in long lengths, and need to be joined with connectors, and every joint is a potential leak spot. your best bet is alcoa aluminum gutters, they are available in lengths up to 37′ and are .032″ thick aluminum. they have been around for a long time and are the best. good luck.