How Much Do Copper Gutters Cost?

Depending on the size, style, enhancements, and number of stories on your home, copper gutters can cost between $2,760 and $5,790.

Copper gutters are one of the most expensive gutter options. The average cost to get copper gutters professionally installed ranges from $2,760 to $5,790 or $4,160. This makes an average of $18 to $39 per linear foot.

For most projects, you can expect to pay a minimum of $1,420 or a maximum of $9,070

copper gutter on a roof
Photo Credit: chandlerphoto / Canva Pro / License

How Much Do Copper Gutters Cost?

Copper gutters are considered higher-end and more durable than more common gutter types, such as aluminum. The following are the average costs to install 100 to 200 linear feet of gutters on a single-story home. 

National Average$4,160
Typical Price Range$2,760 – $5,790
Extreme Low End$1,420
Extreme High End$9,070

Copper gutters cost somewhere between $2,760 and $5,790, with a national average price of $4,160. The lowest cost of this project is $1,420 to install 100 linear feet of the simplest K-style seamed copper gutters. While the highest cost you can expect to pay for such a project is around $9,070 for 200 linear feet of half-round copper gutters with gutter guards. 

Cost Estimator By Size

Average homes have 100 to 200 feet of guttering. For that, the average costs per linear foot come out to be:

National Average$30
Typical Price Range$20 – $40

Let’s see how this translates for different common sizes of gutters:

Copper Gutter Length (Linear Foot)Average Cost
50$1,000 – $2,000
100$2,000 – $4,000
150$3,000 – $6,000
200$4,000 – $8,000
250$5,000 – $10,000

Other Factors That Affect the Cost of Copper Gutters

While you factor in the overall cost of copper gutter system around your house, make sure you take additional expenses into account. Some other factors that affect the final cost may include:

Gutter Type – Sectional VS. Seamless

The total cost can vary depending on the type of gutter you get. Sectional or seamed gutters cost less than seamless gutters, no matter what the gutter material is. 

  • Sectional Copper Gutters come in standard pre-cut sections in sizes of 5-, 10-, and 15-foot sections that you connect to one another during installation. Such gutters are more prone to leaks and blockages along the seams. Sectional copper gutters cost $20 to $30 per linear foot installed. 
  • Seamless Copper Gutters come in a single long piece and are easier to customize according to the specificity of your home. They are less prone to leaking if installed correctly because there are no joints where water can leak. You will need to hire a gutter professional to achieve proper installation. On average, seamless copper gutters cost $30 to $40 per linear foot installed. 

Gutter Style

Copper gutters come in two common styles; K-style and half-round models. Cost-wise, the two are nearly comparable, but usually K-style copper gutters are a little more affordable than half-round. You can choose what gutter style suits your home’s curb appeal more. 

  • K-style Copper Gutters are the most popular choice for homeowners in the U.S. They have flat undersides and backs with rimmed, decorative fronts. On average, expect to pay $20 – $25 per linear foot for materials. 
  • Half-round Copper Gutters are shaped like tubes or cylinders cut in half. They have a regal, classic look that works well with historic homes. This gutter style will cost you around $20 to $30 per linear foot for materials. 

Downspouts

Your copper gutters also need downspouts to direct rain and stormwater away from your roof down to the ground. You can find copper gutter downspouts in various sizes and styles, including boxed, plain round, and spiral. The sizes can range from 3- to 6-inches wide and typically have a 10-foot length. 

Downspouts should be selected with care because only an appropriately sized downspout can accommodate expected water runoff. The annual rainfall in your area can help determine the size of your gutters and downspouts. 

They are priced by linear foot and the average price of copper downspouts is somewhere between $12 to $25 per linear foot for materials and $14 to $30 for installation. 

Gutter Guards

A recommended addition to your gutter system is a set of gutter guards that will protect your investment, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure proper drainage. They can bump up your total gutter installation cost since copper gutter guards typically run between $15 and $20 per linear foot, on average. 

Copper gutter guards can fit both k-style and half-round gutter profiles, which means there’s no cost difference based on the gutter style you choose. 

Number of Stories

The installation price will vary depending on how many stories your home has because a three-story home requires longer downspouts compared to a single-story home. Most single-story homes are 800 to 1,500 square feet, two-story homes are between 1,500 and 2,500 square feet, and three-story homes are between 2,000 and 3,000 square feet in size. 

Based on this assumption, the average cost of copper gutters installed looks something like this:

Number of StoriesAverage Costs
1 Story$1,250 – $5,000
2 Story$2,500 – $8,000
3 Story$3,500 – $10,880

Thickness, Size, and Pitch

The thickness and size of your copper gutters can influence the overall cost of your gutter installation process. Because the larger and thicker your gutter is, the more copper it uses. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to copper gutters. 

Copper gutters come in 4-, 5-, or 6-inch widths, but the deciding factor remains the annual rainfall you receive. The total price of your gutters can also vary depending on where you get the copper from. So for that, consult your contractor about details of the copper they use. 

Gutter Removal

If you are replacing your old gutter with a new copper one, the first step is to remove the old guttering properly. You will spend somewhere around $0.80 to $1.20 per linear foot to remove old gutters for a 200 linear foot gutter. 

The gutter company you hire may include this cost in their initial estimate, but it’s always better to ask them beforehand. 

Labor 

It’s manageable to install vinyl gutters, or even aluminum gutters, without professional help. But with copper gutters, DIY installation is not quite possible. Copper gutters, both seamed and seamless, are heavy and more difficult to install than other materials.

Contractors generally charge $2 to $7 per linear foot to install copper gutters. The project may take as little as 1 to 4 hours for a small-sized house but can go up to 8 hours for larger homes. 

Labor costs are also subject to vary depending on where you live and how your home is structured. Complex roof designs are more labor intensive, hence they will cost more. 

While you’re getting new copper gutters or replacing old ones, you may want to tackle a few other home improvements. Here are some extra services that homeowners get with new copper gutter installation.

Gutter Maintenance

All rain gutters need routine maintenance to work properly, but regular care is especially important for copper gutters since debris build-up can tarnish their natural beauty. Regular maintenance not only keeps the debris out of your gutters and downspouts, preventing clogs, but also keeps the premium copper look intact. 

Homeowners with copper gutters should add gutter cleaning to their weekend chores list at least twice a year. The climate and landscape around your home will determine how often you need to clean your gutters

Copper gutter cleaning generally costs around $110 to $240 on average. You can also get them polished to retain the shine and prevent a green patina coat from forming. Copper polish cost ranges from $5 to $15 per bottle. 

Tree Trimming

If your home has a tree or two that showers your rain gutters routinely with leaves and twigs, you may want to have them trimmed. The average trimming costs range from $85 to $1,267 per tree. Adding this to your project cost will hike the overall cost significantly, but tree trimming is worth the hassle and price. 

Cost By Location

Installation costs varies by location. If you reside in an area with a high cost of living, budget for higher installation costs because of higher labor costs. Another factor to consider is the climate. If you live in a rainy or cold climate, you will need gutters with a larger capacity, say 6 inches wide. 

FAQs About Copper Gutters

How long do copper gutters last?

Copper is the most durable metal for guttering materials. They can last for 50 to 100 years with proper maintenance and care.

Why do copper gutters turn green?

Copper oxidizes after 5 to 20 years of use and turns green. The time varies depending on the climate and quality of the copper used. Wet and cold climates speed up the oxidation process more, unlike dry and warm climates. 

The higher the quality of copper, the longer it will take to develop that green patina. You can prevent your copper gutters from turning green by polishing off the tarnish regularly or coating it with a UV-resistant or tin-zinc that resists corrosion.

How heavy are copper gutters?

If you’re planning to install copper gutters, weight is an important factor to consider. This is because heavier gutters require more support, stronger fascia boards, and careful installation by a professional. Copper gutters weigh 0.80 to 1.50 pounds per foot. 

Hire a Local Pro

Copper gutters are exceptionally attractive and durable. They can withstand most weather conditions and add a classy finish to your home. But they come at a higher price tag. 

Remember, copper gutters need to be installed by an experienced professional because they are heavy and a bit more complicated than PVC or aluminum gutters. Call in one of our gutter experts to handle all the installation and old gutter removal work.

Main Image Credit: KellyvanDellen / Canva Pro / License

Farah Nauman

Farah Nauman is a freelance writer and an accountant. She spends most of her time combating the heat and being a mom to her three fluffy cats and a dozen little Aloe Veras in her house.

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