Rain gutters protect your home from water damage by channeling water away from your roof and foundation. Unfortunately, they take a beating from Mother Nature and lose their luster. If your gutters are dull, faded, cracked, or chipped, a fresh coat of paint can enhance your home’s curb appeal and increase the lifespan of your gutter system. You can expect to spend between $375 to $935, or a national average of $655, for professional gutter painting services.
Average Costs of Gutter Painting in 2024
| National Average Cost | $655 |
| Typical Price Range | $375 – $935 |
| Extreme Low-End Cost | $250 |
| Extreme High-End Cost | $1,500 |
Cost estimates for your gutter painting expenses fall between $375 to $935, but many factors add additional costs. Painting the gutters on a single-story home with a 100-linear-foot system could cost as little as $250 while a professional painter may charge as much as $1,500 for a 250-foot gutter system.
How Often Should You Paint Your Gutters?
Expert exterior painters recommend painting your gutters every five to 10 years, but the exact number depends on many factors, including gutter material, climate, and the quality of your previous paint application.
Aim to inspect your gutters annually, checking for signs of paint deterioration like peeling, cracking, or fading. If you notice significant wear, it is time to repaint your gutters. It is important to note that homes in regions with high sun exposure or pollution require more frequent painting.
Paint inspection, along with gutter cleaning, is part of your annual gutter maintenance plan. If you or your contractor discover related repairs during your inspection, it is important to have them completed as soon as possible to maximize your system’s efficiency and safeguard your home.
Gutter Painting Cost Estimator By Size
The average home has approximately 150 to 200 linear feet of gutters, and the length of your gutters is one of the biggest factors impacting your project’s costs. Your climate, roof height, pitch, gutter type, material, and the number of downspouts attached to your system all affect cost.
Faded and cracked gutter paint affects the aesthetics and functionality of your rainwater system. Paint adds a defensive layer to your gutter system, protecting it from the elements, sun exposure, moisture, and temperature fluctuations and preventing rust and corrosion.
Professional painters charge per linear foot with additional fees for increased height, roof slope, or extra time needed. The typical cost ranges between $375 to $935 per service, or around $2.50 to $6.25 per linear foot.
| Total Gutter Length*linear feet | Average Cleaning Cost*includes labor |
| 100 feet | $250 – $625 |
| 150 feet | $375 – $935 |
| 200 feet | $500 – $1,250 |
| 250 feet | $625 – $1,565 |
Other Factors That Affect Cost
Most painted gutter systems require little maintenance outside of biannual cleaning and an annual inspection. Overall, consider the following cost factors:
- Location: Higher cost of living in metro and urban areas affects the overall cost of labor and your painting service.
- Size: The size of your gutters in linear feet and the width in inches affects labor and material costs.
- Accessibility: One-story houses cost less than gutter painting on two-story homes. Additionally, the slope of your roof, ease of access, and gutter guards directly affect your total cost.
- Cleaning: The level of dirt and grime buildup on your system affects cost. A paint job requires a clean surface and extremely dirty or clogged gutters require additional labor to prepare.
Gutter Material
Gutter material affects more than just the cost to purchase your gutter system. Different gutter materials require different preparation or painting techniques. Let’s break down the average cost per linear foot for popular painted gutter materials.
| Gutter Material | Cost Per Linear Foot*materials only |
| Aluminum | $1 – $1.50 |
| Copper | $2 – $3 |
| Steel | $1 – $1.50 |
| Vinyl | $3 – $4 |
| Wood | $2 – $3 |
Aluminum
Aluminum is the most popular gutter material thanks to its durability and corrosion resistance. Aluminum gutters are easier to paint than other materials. They require minimal preparation and use standard exterior paint, lowering the cost for labor and materials. Expect to spend between $1 to $1.50 per linear foot for painting supplies.
Copper
Copper gutters offer a unique, high-end aesthetic. While most homeowners opt to leave copper gutters paint-free, allowing the metal to develop a patina over time, some paint their gutters to match their home’s exterior. Painted copper gutters require extensive preparation, including cleaning, priming, and specialized paint. Materials cost between $2 to $3 per linear foot for copper gutters.
Steel
Steel gutters are incredibly durable and withstand most weather. Painting steel gutters increases curb appeal and corrosion resistance. These systems require specialized primer and paint made for outdoor metal surfaces. The average cost per linear foot for materials falls between $1 to $1.50.
Vinyl
Vinyl gutters are the least expensive upfront option. Unfortunately, they are more difficult to paint than other materials, requiring an application of sanding solution for paint adhesion. Vinyl gutter systems require specific paint suitable for the material, increasing overall costs. You can expect to spend between $3 to $4 per linear foot for materials.
Wood
Wood gutters are less common than other materials. They offer traditional aesthetics but are high-maintenance. Painting wooden gutters requires prep work, including cleaning, sanding, patching holes, and priming. These gutters require high-quality exterior paint formulated for wood, and you can expect to spend an average of $2 to $3 per linear foot for materials.
Gutter Width
Gutters come in three standard widths: 5, 6, and 7 inches. The most popular gutter width in the U.S. is 5 inches, but extended-width gutters handle almost 50% more water and are recommended for steep roofs. Unfortunately, wider gutters mean more surface area to paint, increasing gutter painting prices by 5% or more.
Paint Type
Gutter material, length, and paint type are the three largest factors affecting your project costs. There are four common exterior paint types: acrylic, latex, epoxy, and oil-based. Your system’s material determines the type of paint for your project, and experts recommend choosing the highest-quality paint within your budget for optimal results.
One gallon of paint covers roughly 40 linear feet. To cover a typical 150-foot gutter system, you need four gallons of exterior paint.
| Paint Type | Cost Per Gallon | Cost Per 150 Linear Feet |
| Acrylic | $25 – $65 | $100 – $260 |
| Epoxy | $40 – $100 | $160 – $400 |
| Latex | $25 – $50 | $100 – $200 |
| OIl-based | $25 – $75 | $100 – $300 |
Acrylic
Exterior acrylic paints offer an affordable, water-based option with greater longevity than latex paints. These paints have excellent adhesion and durability and typically resist fading, peeling, and cracking. Use acrylic-based paints for aluminum, vinyl, or galvanized steel gutter systems. Exterior acrylic paints typically cost between $25 to $65 per gallon.
Epoxy
Epoxy paints offer a specialized finish. They are extremely durable and rust-resistant. Unfortunately, these paints are more expensive than other options, and they often require specialized application techniques, increasing labor costs. Epoxy paints are a great, high-end option for metal gutters like galvanized or stainless steel. You can expect to spend between $40 to $100 per gallon.
Latex
Latex paints are the most affordable option and the most popular choice for painting gutters. Like acrylic paints, latex paints are water-based and offer good color retention. They work with most gutter types, including aluminum and vinyl, and cost between $25 to $50 per gallon.
Oil-based
Oil-based paints are declining in popularity thanks to environmentally conscious homeowners. However, they offer an exceptionally durable finish that is weather resistant. Oil-based exterior paints typically cost $25 to $75 per gallon.
Slope
Pitched roofs with steep slopes are more dangerous to work on, affecting accessibility and increasing painting costs. You can expect to spend around 15% more per painting service if you have a roof with a steep slope.
Gutter Cleaning
Your gutter painting project requires a clean surface to enhance the durability of your paint application. Experts recommend cleaning your gutters twice per year. This includes scheduling professional gutter cleaning services or DIY projects. It is important to note that cleaning is a condition of many gutter warranty terms.
Many professional gutter painting services include gutter cleaning or power washing in the total project costs, so be sure to check with your painting company. If cleaning is not included in your service, you can expect to add between $105 to $375 to your project costs, depending on your gutter system.
Related Services
Gutter painting falls under the umbrella of roof maintenance. Consider these related services for your home.
Roof Inspection
Clogged gutters lead to moisture and leaks. If you suspect you have a clogged system, it is best to have a professional roof inspection as soon as possible. You can expect roof inspections to cost between $120 to $320, and your roofing material, home size, roof age, and location all affect the cost of your inspection.
Many companies offer a free inspection or waive the fee if you use their repair services.
Gutter Repair and Replacement
Gutters last around 20 years or more, and proper maintenance, including painting, increases the longevity of your system. Taking into consideration the severity of your repair needs, the length of the gutters, and the material of your gutters, expect gutter repairs to cost between $164 and $500.
Downspout Replacement
If your gutters aren’t draining properly, it is probably time to replace one or more of your home’s downspouts. Downspouts protect your fascia boards and foundation by transporting water away from your home. They comprise several components, and the largest factors affecting your downspout installation costs are material and size.
On average, you can expect to spend between $25 to $250 per downspout section, depending on the material. Let’s break down the typical costs for the components of a downspout:
| Downspout Component | Average Price |
| Downspout section | $25 – $250 |
| Elbow | $15 – $75 |
| Connector | $2 – $75 |
| Clip | $1.50 – $25 |
| Strap | $3 – $60 |
| Splash block | $6 – $85 |
| Extender *optional | $10 – $135 |
Gutter Guard Installation
Gutter guards decrease the maintenance needs of your system and protect your gutters from organic debris. Professionals often recommend installing gutter guards. You can expect gutter guards to cost between $3.42 to $11.07 per linear foot, depending on the type and material.
It is important to note that gutter guards decrease the accessibility of your system and increase your professional cleaning and painting costs by 10% to 15%. However, the peace of mind and benefits offset the additional costs.
Gutter Painting Benefits
Gutters protect your home from mold, rot, and erosion. Your system’s painting frequency varies depending on climate, material, and the addition of gutter screens or guards. Repainting your gutters provides many benefits, including:
- Increased curb appeal
- Improved durability and protection
- Rust and corrosion prevention
- Inhibit mold and algae growth
Gutter Painting vs. Exterior Painting
Gutter painting and exterior painting costs differ because of several factors, including project scope, preparation techniques, the square footage of your home, and more. Let’s take a look at some of the key differences between gutter painting and exterior painting.
- Project scope: Exterior house painting is a comprehensive project involving soffits, walls, trim, doors, and windows that requires careful planning and paint color coordination. Painting the exterior of your home requires more gallons of paint than a gutter painting project, increasing labor and material costs.
- Surface prep: Painting the exterior of a house, especially wood siding, requires more preparation than gutter painting, including cleaning, sanding, scraping, caulking, and priming. Additionally, the exterior of your home has more square feet, increasing project costs.
- Technique: House painters use a garden hose, scrub brush, paintbrush, and paint roller to clean and paint gutters, while exterior painting involves more advanced equipment like a paint sprayer and power washer. The material of your home and the finish you are looking for determine the technique your painter uses. Stucco homes require a paint sprayer for application, increasing project costs.
Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
We recommend professional gutter painting. It is worth the cost, and professional gutter painters can detect repair issues more easily before major problems occur.
We advise seeking the help of a trained local gutter professional if you do not feel comfortable performing your own home improvement maintenance or repairs. But if you do DIY, there are several tools you can invest in to lower your cost of cleaning and painting, and chances are good you probably already own a few.
| DIY Equipment | Average Cost |
| Ladder or extension ladder | $125 |
| Hose | $40 |
| Spray nozzle | $10 |
| Bucket | $10 |
| Bucket s-hook | $10 |
| Heavy-duty rubber gloves | $10 |
| Safety goggles | $15 |
| Gutter scoop | $10 |
| Drain snake for downspouts | $25 |
| Paintbrush | $10 |
| Paint tray | $5 |
| Paint tray liner | $2 |
| Painter’s tape | $6 |
| Exterior paint | $100 – $400 |
| Primer | $100 |
| Sandpaper | $10 |
| Plastic drop cloths | $5 |
| TOTAL COST FOR 150 LINEAR FEET | $308 – $608 |
Ladder safety is the most important thing to remember with DIY gutter painting. Providers only recommend tackling the job if you have a one-story home and are comfortable with heights.
Each gallon of primer or exterior paint covers approximately 40 linear feet. For a common 150-linear-foot installation, you would need 4 gallons each of paint and primer for your job.
Cost of Gutter Painting By Location
Gutter painting costs vary widely depending on location, cost of living, and the complexity of your roof. There is no way to know exactly what your painting services will cost without receiving free quotes from professional gutter companies in your area.
FAQ
No. Painting does not add functionality to your gutter system. However, it offers several benefits, including:
• Curb appeal
• Protection from the elements
• Improved durability
• Rust and corrosion prevention
Painting can take a few hours to a couple of days to complete, depending on the size of your system, the preparation needed, the number of coats, and the complexity of your project. Additional factors like drying time, repairs, gutter guard removal, and weather also affect the total time to complete your project.
The material of your gutter system determines the type of paint you need for your project. Exterior latex or acrylic paint works for most materials. However, most metal gutters require specialized paint. Be sure to consult a paint professional or your gutter manufacturer to help make your decision.
Final Costs and Hiring a Pro
Gutter painting enhances your gutter system and improves its durability, helping to protect your home from potential water damage and save money. The average gutter painting costs $655, with service costs ranging between $365 to $935.
If you are ready to have a local painting contractor tackle your exterior paint project, MyGutterGnome can connect you with an exterior house painting company or a gutter professional in your area to learn about your options.
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