Aluminum gutters are as light as vinyl and much easier to install because they have fewer seams and some even have no seams. Most gutter installation professionals prefer to work with aluminum, so you can easily find someone to handle the project for you. Aluminum gutters are more durable than vinyl gutters. They don't sink and can last 20 years or more in most climates.
Coastal areas can cause corrosion in aluminum gutters due to exposure to moisture and salt. However, heavy snow, hail and wind can cause aluminum gutters to become dented or even damaged. Both materials are lightweight, but aluminum is heavier, stronger and thicker than vinyl, extending its lifespan. Metal also resists extreme heat and cold better, unlike vinyl, which becomes brittle when exposed to low temperatures and tends to sag in the heat.
In addition, if the components of a vinyl gutter system are ever damaged, they are fairly easy to replace and most of the components are easily found at a local hardware store or large store. PVC gutters allow you to install them yourself by joining them together, but they are more difficult to install than aluminum ones. The version with joints is a good option for those owners who want to install the gutters themselves, while the seamless aluminum gutters will be found by professional installers, as they are custom-made on site. Aluminum gutters are resistant to adverse weather conditions and hold more water than vinyl.
Two of the most common gutter materials, vinyl and aluminum, work very differently despite the similarities at the surface level. To keep aluminum gutters looking their best, you'll likely need to paint them at some point after the enamel coating has worn off. However, while vinyl gutters hold up very well in milder climates and in everyday use, they don't work as well in very cold regions. However, in general, many homeowners and contractors choose vinyl gutters, as their PVC composition makes them a durable material and, perhaps most remarkably, it is one of the most economical materials on the market.
However, this type of gutter is not recommended for coastal regions because aluminum tends to deteriorate rapidly in contact with high humidity and salt. Because vinyl gutters are lightweight, they are not suitable for regions with snow, strong winds, and heavy rainfall. Previously, vinyl gutters only came in brown and white, and some select colors were only available through special orders and at an additional cost. If your roof has copper gaskets or algae-resistant shingles, you shouldn't use aluminum gutters.
To solve this problem, metal channel manufacturers created a process to create seamless aluminum and other metal channel systems. Aluminum gutters are the most popular type of gutters on the market, representing approximately 80% of all gutter systems installed in the United States and can be made from primary quality or recycled aluminum. Both vinyl and aluminum gutters are generally considered durable, but each works best under certain conditions of the term.
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