On average, the cost of installing zinc gutters ranges from $19 to $31 per linear foot, depending on the gutter size and style. The average installation cost of other gutter types, such as aluminum and steel, starts at $3 per linear foot. Most homeowners pay between $3,800 and $6,200 for 200 linear feet of zinc gutters.
Zinc gutters are great for traditional homes, especially as a low-maintenance option. They are less common than other gutter types, such as aluminum, but are also more durable and corrosion-resistant. We will highlight the cost of zinc gutters compared to more affordable systems and other factors that affect the total cost of installation.
Average Cost of Zinc Gutters
| Typical Range Per Linear Foot | $19 to $31 per linear foot |
| Typical Range for 200 Linear Feet | $3,800 to $6,200 |
The cost of new gutters ranges from $800 to $2,480 on average. However, different gutter materials have different prices, so the installation costs will also vary. Installing budget-friendly vinyl gutters costs about $3 to $12 per linear foot, or possibly less for small houses. Zinc gutter installation has a starting price of $19 per linear foot, and may rise to $31 per linear foot if you own a large 2-story house.
Zinc gutters are very long-lasting, sometimes even longer than copper. Additionally, they can improve your home exterior’s aesthetics. They share several similarities to copper gutters, which is why zinc is one of the most expensive gutter materials you can get.
As mentioned above, several factors affect zinc gutter installation costs. You’ll need to consider the gutter size, which is a highly significant cost factor. An owner of a 3-story house will not pay the same as someone with a single-story house.
Cost Estimator by Zinc Gutter Length
| Size | Cost |
| 50 linear feet | $950 – $1,550 |
| 100 linear feet | $1,900 – $3,100 |
| 150 linear feet | $2,850 – $4,650 |
| 200 linear feet | $3,800 – $6,200 |
| 250 linear feet | $4,750 – $7,750 |
On average, you will pay less than $200 for low-cost gutters measuring 50 linear feet, such as vinyl or plastic. But if you install zinc, you can pay upwards of $7,750 for 250 linear feet of gutters.
With a starting price of $950 for 50 linear feet, it becomes clear that installing zinc gutters is quite expensive. For an average-sized home of 1,500 square feet, zinc gutters will cost you between $2,850 and $4,650.
Here’s a quick tip to ease the calculations. To estimate your gutter needs, just divide the square footage of your home by 10.
| 1-story house | 800 – 1,500 square feet |
| 2-story house | 1,500 – 2,500 square feet |
| 3-story house | 2,000 – 3,000 square feet |
For example: a 2,000 square foot home will need about 200 linear feet of gutters. By checking the previous table, you can expect to pay between $3,800 and $6,200 on average.
Other Factors That Affect Cost
So you’ve got the size figured out, but that’s not all you’ll need to consider. What about the type of gutter, or the cost of labor? We’ve established that zinc costs more than your average gutter system, but let’s see what other factors affect the installation price.
Gutter Style
Gutters are there to do a job and prevent water damage, but that doesn’t mean they lack any style. The two most popular gutter styles are half-round and K-style. They have both become very popular among U.S. homeowners over the years.
K-style gutters can be installed directly to the fascia with fewer brackets, and are suitable for angular roof designs. Half-round gutters have a symmetrical U-shape that complements the rounded architecture of old homes or less angular roofs.
| Gutter Style | K-style | Half-round |
| Cost per linear foot | $7 – $18 | $6 – $23 |
The prices in the table above are the average for all gutter types, not just zinc. However, zinc gutters are more expensive than vinyl and aluminum. For a K-style zinc gutter system, expect costs to start around $18 per linear foot. Half-round is slightly more expensive than K-style, so if the material is zinc, costs may start at $23 per linear foot.
Before moving on to the next section, here are more key differences to help you make the right choice:
K-style:
- Better water-holding capacity without the risk of water damage
- Less prone to denting or leaking
- Perform well in harsh weather conditions
- Easy to install
Half-round:
- Unique shape that can improve curb appeal
- Maintain the character of your historic home
- Interior is less prone to corrosion
- Relatively low-maintenance
Gutter Type
| Gutter Type | Sectional | Seamless |
| Cost per linear foot | $4 – $23 | $4 – $30 |
In addition to style, you’re also given the choice between the type of gutter system. The two main types are sectional and seamless gutters. Seamless gutters usually cost higher, with sectional systems being slightly more budget-friendly.
If you choose zinc as your gutter material, the cost of either seamless or sectional will be closer to the high-end. The high-end cost of sectional gutters is about $23 per linear foot, with seamless gutters costing up to $30 per linear foot. Going with vinyl or aluminum will cost you less.
Apart from the cost, here are some more key differences:
Sectional:
- Generally less expensive than seamless gutters
- Require regular cleaning and maintenance
- Higher potential for leaks
- May sag and pull away from your home
Seamless:
- Made up of one continuous piece rather than sections
- Long-lasting and highly durable
- Low-maintenance
- Improve your home’s curb appeal
- High installation cost, but a worthwhile investment
Labor Cost
The installation costs mentioned in previous sections included the cost of labor, but it’s not a fixed cost to every home across the country. Labor cost in itself may vary depending on which region you live in, home size, gutter type, and gutter material. The typical range gutter installation labor costs is $3 to $8 per linear foot on average.
Say you own a 2-story house in the Northeast, and you wish to install seamless zinc gutters, then the cost of labor will be closer to the high-end. Sectional vinyl gutters for a one-story house in the South would have a lower labor cost.
Accessories
Homeowners living in colder climates with harsh weather conditions may require more add-ons to protect their gutter system. Even with an existing add-on such as gutter guards, not all types can handle heavy rain or snowfall.
If you need to upgrade your gutter or leaf guards, then you will end up paying more than average. To prevent ice dams from forming on your zinc gutters, you may want to consider installing heat tape. The cost of installing heat tape is about $0.73 per linear foot, or $73 per 100 linear feet.
Related Services
Why stop at gutters? So long as the home improvement project is on, consider the following services that relate to or benefit your new zinc gutter:
Downspouts
Downspouts are pipes connected to rain gutters. When excess water is collected in the gutters, downspouts uphold the task of carrying it as far away from your home as possible. Without downspouts, water will drip down your home structure and potentially cause water damage.
The professional cost of downspout installation ranges from $4 to $26 per linear foot on average. Zinc downspouts cost higher than other basic materials, ranging from $10 to $18 per linear foot.
Downspout Extensions
Connecting an extension at the bottom of your new downspout will help divert storm water further away from your home’s foundation. You don’t wanna see puddles or water pools on the surface of your lawn. A downspout extension typically costs $10.
Gutter Guards
As the name suggests, they are covers that help prevent leaves, branches, and other debris from clogging up your zinc rain gutters. This doesn’t mean your gutter system will be entirely maintenance-free, but it is certainly a good investment that will pay for itself in the long run.
The total cost of gutter guards depends on several factors, including the type and whether or not you hire a pro. On average, professional gutter guard installation costs $3.42 to $11.07 per linear foot.
Gutter Cleaning
Even with gutter guards, the entire system will require the occasional cleaning. To prevent clogs and water damage, you shouldn’t neglect cleaning out the debris found in your zinc gutters. You can take the DIY route on rare occasions, but we recommend hiring a professional gutter cleaning company to get the job done safely and efficiently.
On average, the professional gutter cleaning cost ranges from $0.70 to $2.50 per linear foot. For high-pitch roofs or gutters in rough shape, expect the cost to go higher than the average.
Gutter Removal
Not everyone reading this article will be installing gutters for the first time. If you wish to go with a new material such as zinc, you’ll have to consider gutter replacement, with the first step being removal. Hiring pros to remove gutters costs between $0.83 and $1.18 per linear foot.
Fascia Boards and Soffits
The fascia board is where the roof meets the outer walls of your home, giving it that ‘finishing touch’. It is commonly known as the roofline. The soffit helps regulate your home’s temperature, given that it’s often ventilated. It helps conceal ventilation for your attic, and keeps moisture away from your house.
Installing fascia boards costs between $6 and $24 per linear foot on average. Soffits have a close starting price at $5 per linear foot, but a lower high-end cost at $17 per linear foot.
Pro Cost vs DIY Cost
Vinyl and aluminum gutters are lightweight and easy to install, but the same cannot be said for the material we’re covering. Zinc can be very hard to solder, so the installation process can be very difficult. Zinc gutters share this attribute with copper gutters.
All in all, we strongly recommend hiring a professional gutter installation contractor to complete your project. Soldering alone is a tough task, so avoid hurting yourself or damaging your home by hiring a pro. Improperly installed systems will cause further damage to your home’s foundation, so that money you saved in the beginning will go to gutter repairs.
Cost by Location
If you live in an area with a high standard of living, then expect to pay more for professional installation. Additionally, your area’s climate could affect the amount you pay for a guttering project. Cold climates with harsh temperatures could limit homeowners to more durable options, such as zinc and steel gutters. Cheaper alternatives such as vinyl won’t be a good idea.
Either way, try and get at least three estimates to have a strong idea about the cost of zinc gutter installation in your area. The pros will also give you recommendations on which materials to avoid based on your area’s climate.
FAQ About Zinc Gutters
When it comes to lifespan, zinc gutters rank among the best. They are much more durable than vinyl or aluminum, justifying their higher cost of installation. No matter the material you install, regularly maintain your gutter system to get the most out of it.
Below is the average lifespan of each gutter type, ranked from lowest to highest:
• Vinyl: 10 to 15 years
• Aluminum: 10 to 20+ years
• Galvanized stainless steel: 15 to 20+ years
• Wood: 20 to 50+ years (some wood gutters can last up to 100 years, depending on the type of wood)
• Stainless steel: 50+ years
• Zinc: 30 to 90 years
• Copper: 50 to 100 years
Zinc metal is silvery in color, so you don’t have color variations with such metal gutters. Whites, pale yellows, and various tones of gray could be developed over the years. If your roof and siding have similar colors, then this gutter type will certainly complement the overall appearance of your home.
A major one is zinc’s vulnerability to salt water. Homeowners living in coastal areas might need to consider this before installation. Salt water droplets will cause permanent stains to form on zinc gutters, so you’ll need to power wash them regularly to prevent buildup. If you avoid power washing, then the life expectancy of your zinc gutter system will significantly decrease.
Some homeowners wish to have that lovely patina to go with their traditional homes, another way copper gutters stand out from zinc.
Keep Things Simple and Hire a Pro
Zinc gutters are among the most expensive types of gutters, along with copper. They are highly reliable, tolerate harsh climates, and have a lifespan of up to 50 or more years. With basic upkeep, they should be clear of severe damage and expensive repairs. They don’t come cheap and are less customizable, but they’re certainly a worthwhile investment.
Zinc is a difficult material to solder and install, so you cannot make it a DIY project to save money. Risking it could end up costing you more, especially if you damage other parts of your home exterior.
So why go through all the hassle when you can leave it to pros? Whether it’s replacing old gutters or changing materials, hire a local gutter installer to protect your home from heavy rainfall.
Main Image Credit: Ratchat / Canva Pro / License
