If you are in the process of building or updating a home in North Carolina or South Carolina, you’ve probably already discovered that there are a lot of decisions that need to be made! Some things, like selecting your siding color and choosing finishes for the interior of your space are no-brainers. But other choices you’ll need to make might not have occurred to you before you got into the thick of the home design process.
One of these features is your gutter system. Homeowners rarely consider their gutters until they stop working, but when you’re in the middle of a new build or a major remodel, you’ll find yourself having to decide if you even need gutters at all! The short answer for Carolina residents is, almost undoubtedly, “Yes”.
However, it’s important to understand exactly why gutters matter. Let’s dive in.
What exactly do gutters do?
While there’s little doubt that you know a gutter system’s main purpose is to drain rain away from your house. What you might not realize, however, is just how important this is for the overall structural integrity of your home. When gutters and downspouts are working properly, they can protect your home’s roof, foundation, and even wood accents from serious damage over time.
Since both North Carolina and South Carolina tend to have damp climates with rain and humidity, gutters are essential in almost all cases. Homeowners who live in arid climes, such as the American Southwest, don’t always need gutters. But, it’s important to note that even in these areas, houses are typically designed with safeguards — like roofs that are sloped in such a way that any precipitation will drain off by itself.
What type of gutter system is best?
When you begin looking into gutters, you’ll quickly realize that there are several different materials you can choose from. Aluminum gutter systems are among the most popular in the United States. It’s rust-resistance and affordability are the primary reasons for the material’s popularity. Vinyl gutters are also a great choice for those on a budget, but they are not as durable as aluminium styles.
If money is no object for you, you might want to consider copper or steel residential gutters. Both of these are designed to last — copper can last for a century, amazingly! — but you will pay a hefty price for this level of longevity.
How much do gutters cost?
The price of a gutter system, of course, depends largely on the size of your home. The more gutters you need, the more costly it will be. There are, though, plenty of ways to save money. You can look for sales and discounts on gutters in your local area and you can purchase a less costly material, aluminum instead of copper, for example.
Another way to save is to have your gutters installed during the off-season, when home services contractors are less busy. Labor costs are generally less expensive during non-peak months.
If you’re ready to have gutters installed on your Carolina home, give the expert team at Hatch Homes a call today. We are here to help you understand all of the options that are on the market!