Seamless Gutters vs. Sectional Gutters – What’s the Real Difference?

Why Gutters Matter

One of the main functions of a roof is to protect your home or business by shielding you from precipitation. But whenever it rains or snows, all that water can’t stay on the roof – that’s why gutters were invented. Gutters collect water from the edges of your roof, and then send it away from your structure through the connected downspouts. It’s really just a simple, gravity-driven system. At the same time, a gutter system is also quite impressive in the amount of water it can move when everything is working properly.

You probably already know that gutters matter, but does it really matter which kind of gutters you get? They all do the same thing, right?

While it’s true that all gutter products have the same basic mission – to remove water from your roof and direct it to a safe place at ground level – not all types of gutters are equally effective. Some gutter designs are simply superior to others.

Sectional Gutters Explained

Sectional gutters come very much like the name implies – in basic, pre-cut pieces or sections. They’re also known as regular gutters or traditional gutters, because for many years they were pretty much the standard roof gutter option. The process of hanging sectional gutters includes measuring each edge of your roof, counting and trimming sections to match, attaching all the sections together, and then sealing each section junction. It doesn’t sound overly complicated, but there are several steps involved, and even more depending on the size and layout of your roof.

Seamless Gutters Explained

While sectional gutters used to be the more or less default style of gutters, seamless gutters have become much more popular in recent decades, and for good reason. Like sectional gutters, seamless gutters are made from the same materials – aluminum, galvalume steel, and copper are three common choices. But unlike sectional gutters, seamless gutters don’t come in pre-cut sections; they are custom fabricated to match the exact measurements of each roof edge, in one seamless unit. They are also known as continuous gutters, because there are no seams in the middle; each unit is formed from a single coil of metal.

Seamless vs. Sectional Gutters: Which Is Better?

Now that you understand the basics of gutter design, it’s time to answer the question: which is better? You’re probably already beginning to understand why seamless gutters are a clearly superior design. While it is true that they can sometimes cost more than inferior sectional gutters, the benefits offered by choosing seamless gutters are well worth it.

• No Seams = No Leaks

The most obvious benefit is the fact that seamless gutters don’t have any seams in the middle, meaning there are fewer opportunities for leaks. With sectional gutters, each junction between sections creates another opportunity for leaks to form over time.

• Custom Made to Fit Your Roof

Regular gutters come in standard, pre-cut sections that are easier to produce in mass. What’s better for the manufacturer, though, isn’t necessarily better for you. Sectional gutters aren’t made with your particular roof in mind, and they will require some trimming and finagling to match your roof. Seamless gutters, on the other hand, are custom fabricated on site to match the exact measurements and contours of your roof, leaving less opportunity for any foul-ups.

• Simpler to Install

Seamless gutters go up much easier than sectional gutters. Since you don’t have to worry with sealing each individual section junction, seamless gutters can go up much faster, with less worry. However, don’t assume you can put up your own seamless gutters as a DIY project – the roll form machinery required to fabricate these custom gutters is very expensive to purchase, and should only be operated by a trained professional.

• Helps Extend the Life of Your Roof

Since seamless gutters are much less prone to developing leaks, your gutters are better able to do their job – directing the flow of water off your roof and away from your home or business. The design and performance of seamless gutters means there’s less chance of them falling apart or leaking. Less leaks and less clogs also means less chance of water-related damage to your roof, or to the rest of your building’s infrastructure.

• Less Expensive Than You May Think!

While seamless gutters aren’t always the cheapest gutter option, they aren’t necessarily the most expensive, either. Seamless gutters actually cost no more than “high end” sectional gutters, and the design advantages of going seamless are clearly superior. Your preferred choice of metal – aluminum, galvalume, or copper – will also greatly affect the final price tag for seamless gutter installation.

Who Can I Trust for Professional Seamless Gutter Services?

Skywalker Windows & Siding provides a full range of valuable home improvement services, including window replacement, siding replacement, blown insulation, drywall repair, and home additions including decks and porches. But you should also know that roofing is really where we got our start, and comprehensive roofing services are still our specialty!

We have all the necessary tools, machinery, skills, & experience to custom fabricate your seamless gutters on site, from your choice of gutter materials. We can also take care of your gutter guard needs, as well. Skywalker Windows & Siding stands behind each of our products and services, and we back our work with some of the best warranties in the business. Nobody takes better care of you than Skywalker!

We’re proud to be the preferred roofing and home improvement services provider for the NC Piedmont Triad, Triangle, Charlotte Metro, and Roanoke, VA areas, and we’d be happy to take care of you, too! Reach out to us today, and experience the Skywalker difference for yourself!