Rain Gutters 101 – Everything You Should Know in 2024!

Rain gutters keep the interior of our home warm, cozy, and dry.

Things like our home’s roof, the windows, the doors, and gutters all serve an important role in making sure your interior is protected from the exterior elements.

Not only is the outside of your home vital for curb appeal, but also your gutters, roof, and siding all:

1. Help with managing storms (Rain, snow)
2. Protecting your home against strong winds
3. Saving on energy costs and more!

All this to say, that out of all the exterior components of a home we think of, very rarely do rain gutters pop into our heads… unless something comes up…!

That is why today we will be covering the following so you can understand everything you need to know about rain gutters:

1. What rain gutters are & what they do
2. How much new rain gutters cost
3. Where to find rain gutters

✅ See Also: The Most Frequently-Asked Gutter Questions!

What are rain gutters?

Simply put, rain gutters are long, narrow, shallow troughs that are mounted on the edges of a home where the fascia boards meet the roof. Rain gutters are designed to collect the rainwater off the roof of a home, to then gather water and transport it down the downspouts into designated run-off areas.

Chances are you know what we are talking about, gutters come in many colors, sizes, and styles, however, most of the time we recognize rain gutters as the white things near the edge of our roof on our home.

We also recognize when a gutter is broken or missing based on seeing:

1. Water flying off our roof during a storm
2. Obvious missing gutter sections
3. A visible gap between our rain gutters and where they are mounted on our home

Properly working gutters are vital for helping with stormwater management. Improperly managed rainwater, aka underperforming rain gutters, can lead to:

• Erosion issues
• Flooding of basements
• Leaks inside of your home
• Foundation issues
• Landscaping problems
• And even mosquitos!

All that to say your rain gutters matter. So if they’re not cared for, cleaned, nor do they have gutter guards – they may flounder and break.

In the case of needing new gutters, or simply wanting to add curb appeal with even a new color of rain gutters, we will now help you estimate and budge for them!

Types of Gutter Systems:

We list the types of gutters you can choose from here from least expensive to most expensive and after this section, we will answer the question “How much do new gutters cost?”

While there are a variety of gutter materials each offering its own set of pros and cons, we will let you know the best price is typically an aluminum seamless gutter system.

Galvanized Steel Gutters

Half-round steel gutters are extremely elegant and also extremely expensive. Most homeowners do not want to pay $25 per square foot for gutters so unless you have a large budget, stay away from steel gutter prices!

Copper Gutters

Similarly, copper gutters are pretty and though less common, can add a ton of curb appeal alongside a new roof. That said, copper gutters are a quality product, however, they too cost a pretty penny coming in at about 300% more than aluminum gutters installed.

Metal Gutters

Metal gutters are a great in-between if you have a higher budget and they are extremely hardy and heavy. The factor to always consider with such heavy gutters is not just the price, but also can your house support metal gutters.

Aluminum Gutters

In our opinion, aluminum k style gutters are the best product for your house. They offer a variety of colors ranging from white to black and everything in between, they’re super durable and cost-effective.

The entire purpose of your home’s gutters is to displace runoff water and debris away from your home during a storm. Aluminum gutters are seamless meaning there are no seams or joints for potential leaks and they’re custom made for your home.

Pros to aluminum gutters include:

1. Durable
2. Cost-efficient
3. Customizable and custom fit
4. K style offers a nice curb appeal

Vinyl Gutters

Vinyl gutters are rarely used and the only time you might see them is typically when someone does their own gutters, which we do not recommend.

Most vinyl gutters are sectional too, which means they often leak and can only last 1-2 years in some instances! Refrain and stay away from vinyl gutters!

Gutter Guards

What is worth noting is that in addition to the types of gutters you can choose from, gutter guards are a popular add-on that can provide protection for your gutters.

Some homeowners avoid gutter guards at all costs – we understand that – due to the fact that they can actually sometimes cause more issues if you use cheap gutter screens or cheap vinyl leaf guards as they do not work.

When considering a gutter guard it is vital to know the following:

1. They must be self-cleaning meaning you don’t have to clean them (what is the point of having them if you have to clean them?
2. They should be a surface guard in that no birds or sticks can enter your gutter
3. They have no-clog guarantees

These three factors are hard to come by, however, we offer all three and you can learn more about our gutter guards here:

How much do new rain gutters cost?

The first question most homeowners ask when the time comes for new gutters is the price question, “How much do new rain gutters cost?”

That is what we are going to answer below!

Note on Video: Prices have adjusted since the pandemic due to aluminum and material costs going up. Keep reading for the updated prices below!

Most rain gutters are made from aluminum. While there are vinyl gutters (which are cheap), copper, and steel – almost all gutters are made from aluminum.

Aluminum rain gutters are:

• Durable
• Customizable, cut to fit
• Cost-effective and affordable
• Seamless (so they don’t leak)
• Sizes come in 5″ or 6″

So now you know some of the quick benefits, how much do aluminum rain gutters cost per linear foot?

Depending on the size, rain gutters can range from on average $7 to $12 per linear foot. However, we tell customers that they should be paying somewhere around $8-$9 per foot (factors like aluminum prices and location may mean more or less depending on where you live).

Put another way, new 6″ aluminum rain gutters usually cost:

• Townhome = Around $1,200
• Single Family Home = Around $1,600 (give or take)
• Larger homes or homes with large porches = $2,000+

However, once again, it’s all based on linear feet!

Use a Gutter Calculator

Don’t want to guess? Here is what you can do to accurately price out new rain gutters and gutter guards:

1. Use this instant, online, Gutter Calculator Tool (don’t worry it’s our sister companies tool)
2. Gather your measurements for your gutters. You can use Google Maps and its measuring tool to get a close estimate. For downspouts, every floor is typically 10′ of rain gutter downspout. So, two floors would be ~ 20′ give or take.
3. Input your measurements, get an instant estimate for new rain gutters!

How to find a rain gutter company near you:

You know what rain gutters do. You know how much they cost. Now, how do you find the best rain gutter company near you?

Well, chances are, if you live in Northern, VA and the surrounding areas, you’re on the best gutter company website right now :). While we are not kidding, what we will say is you don’t want to go to Home Depot and buy your own gutters, this is not something that is a DIY project.

Once again – custom seamless rain gutters are never DIY. In the case, you don’t live near Northern, VA but you found this article, the best way to find a gutter company near you is to:

1. Ask friends and family
2. Request a recommendation on Facebook
3. Go to Google Maps and search, “Rain Gutter Company Near Me”
4. Or simply search for rain gutters by me.

Just be sure, when looking for a gutter company, you take into consideration reviews, their quoting system, and their professionalism:

On another note, never underestimate the power of a great YouTube channel and rain gutter testimonial:

Lastly, be sure to select a rain gutter company that has a gutter warranty!

For example, here at Top Dog Home Pro of Virginia, we offer a lifetime warranty for our products and labor that you can read here: Full Gutter Warranty Info.

A final note on Seamless Gutters –

What most of us do in life is wait until the problem emerges that then requires our full, undivided attention. This is only human nature, and it’s the same for rain gutters/home improvements.

Typically, we don’t really pay attention to our rain gutters until we notice them overflowing or falling off our home’s fascia boards.

So as we part, here are some great tips to help you stay on top of keeping your rain gutters in tip-top shape!

1. Always clean your gutters if you don’t have gutter guards, ideally after all leaves are done falling in the fall
2. Check your gutters in the spring to make sure they’re clear before the heavy rain season. Also, be sure to make sure birds are not nesting in your gutters (they mess things up fast!)
3. Lastly, highly consider getting gutter guards such as Raindrop Gutter Guards, which are self-cleaning and long-lasting!

Frequently Asked Gutter Questions:

Can I install a rain gutter myself?

Typically, gutter installation is done by a professional exterior contractor. Properly installed gutters are vital to protect your home during storms and when you get new gutters you want to make sure they’re professionally installed. Gutters are not for the DIY crowd.

Which type of gutters are best?

Aluminum gutters are considered the best because they are not only cost-efficient, they’re also super effective. A seamless aluminum gutter system can last the duration of your stay at your home with simple maintenance or gutter covers.

While vinyl gutters may be the cheapest material, they are often sectional and therefore more prone to leaks and ineffectiveness. Vinyl gutters also have a reputation of being “Cheap” in quality as well, resulting in lots of cracks and holes.

Are rain gutters expensive?

Typically, rain gutters are generally viewed as affordable when you are installing new or replacing old gutters. Sometimes, depending on the gutter materials you select and the extras you use such as leag guards or having to replace a fascia board or two, your costs can increase.

On average, to outfit a single-family home with 6-inch gutters will depend on the size, but it is safe to assume that the $2,000 number is a good ballpark budget.

How much do gutters cost?

Gutters are priced per linear foot meaning if you have a need for 100 feet of gutters, you would take 100 feet times the price of the gutter per foot.

Aluminum gutters typically range in the $7-$10 range with other gutter materials such as copper gutters or galvanized steel gutters ranging in the $20 and up price range. In our example, a 100 feet of aluminum gutter can cost $700 to $900 whereas a metal gutter can cost $2,000 or more.