You’re looking to give your home’s exterior a facelift, add some curb appeal. You freshen the trim paint, plant some flowers, and even out the hedges. After all those improvements, your gutters are left looking worn and shabby. Is it time to upgrade them to something more attractive? Copper gutters are a great way to spruce up a home and give it character and curb appeal but are they worth it?
Copper Gutters Are Beautiful
Copper gutters and downspouts can add elegance to a home. For some homes, they become a focal point and with others, copper gutters perfectly compliment the charm and character of the home.
Copper gutters are both old-fashioned and timeless. The bright, shiny copper turns a lovely green patina over time that adds the perfect amount of elegance to a home, especially older homes and ones with unique designs and features.
The Cost
Many people shy away from copper gutters because of the cost. With installation, copper gutters can cost anywhere from $8-$10 per linear foot, compared to $4-$8 per linear foot for aluminum and $3-$5 per linear foot.
For copper gutters to retain their beauty, they must be regularly maintained and cleaned out and because the oils from hands can ruin the finish, gloves are recommended if you clean them yourself but when it comes to copper gutters, it’s best to leave the work to professionals who are experienced in the installation and maintenance of copper gutters. If you prefer the copper color to the patina, extra maintenance is required.
Gutter guards are available for copper gutters but as with all of the fasteners and fittings, they should be made of copper as well to maintain the continuity and look of the copper gutters. Copper gutter guards will keep out most of the leaves and debris and will make cleaning them easier and less frequently needed.
Their Worth
When it comes to calculating their worth the added cost, it’s important to consider their lifespan. Aluminum and vinyl gutters have a lifespan of about 20 years if they’re in a moderate climate and are properly maintained. Copper gutters, on the other hand, will last more than 50 years and if maintained, can last more than a century. That’s right, if you take care of them, your copper gutters will likely outlive you.
You may be thinking that you’re only going to live in your house for another 10 or 15 years so why put the money into something so long-lasting? You’ll be long gone before vinyl gutters will need to be replaced. This may be true but when you sell your home, savvy buyers will take into consideration what they’ll need to put money into replacing when coming up for an offer on your home. Aside from being attracted by their beauty, potential homebuyers will love the fact that they’ll probably never have to pay for replacing the gutters.
Depending on the look and style of your home, copper gutters are well-worth the upfront expense as they improve the look and value of your home.
If you’d like to have copper gutters installed on your home, call the professionals at Gutter Pros. At Gutter Pros, we’re experts in all gutters and have the knowledge and experience to install your copper gutters the right way. We’re the leaders in commercial gutters, copper gutters, and leaf protection in the St. Louis area. Call GutterPros today at (314) 656-7195.