When purchasing home items, we tend to go for the cheaper option to save money. Aluminum gutters are quite affordable and easy to install. But if you choose copper, it can last for several decades and increase your home’s resale value. It’s a tough one, but no need to overthink. Let us help you make the right choice with the pros and cons of copper vs. aluminum gutters.
Copper Gutter Pros
With copper gutters, you will be going for the classy, decorative option with the green patina after oxidation. They can last for several decades and increase your home’s resale value. Here are some other positive attributes to copper gutters:
- Superior durability: Copper doesn’t rust as easily as aluminum. It has excellent anti-corrosion properties and resists growth of moss and mildew.
- Improve your home’s curb appeal: A copper gutter system will age beautifully. The lovely green patina makes it more elegant than aluminum gutters.
- Low-maintenance: As mentioned above, copper gutters could last for more than 50 years. You will only need to remove debris and leaf buildup.
- Eco-friendly: You won’t have to worry about replacing copper gutters for decades, plus they are highly recyclable.
- Return on investment: This gutter type is a worthy investment, with little to no maintenance costs.
Copper Gutter Cons
There may be plenty of good reasons to go for copper, but these gutters have several drawbacks you need to consider before installation.
- High cost: Copper gutters are very expensive, with a much higher cost than aluminum gutters.
- Difficult to install: Working with copper is not DIY-friendly. It is difficult to cut or make modifications.
- Custom craftsmanship required: Soldering is required to connect the pieces of copper gutters. They have a more complex installation than aluminum, and cannot be purchased ready-made like vinyl gutters.
- Cannot mix metals: All components of this gutter system must be copper. You cannot mix it with aluminum or vinyl, otherwise you would risk galvanic corrosion.
Aluminum Gutter Pros
Aluminum gutters are great for those on a modest budget. With the proper tools and gutter materials, you may even install them yourself. So let’s get right into the pros of aluminum gutters:
- Affordable: Aluminum gutters come with cheap installation, and are more budget-friendly than copper.
- DIY-friendly: Aluminum gutters are lightweight and easy to install, allowing you to take the DIY route.
- Enamel layer: This type of gutter is coated with a layer of enamel, which helps delay rusting and corrosion.
- Sleek and modern design: Aluminum gutters come in a wide range of colors, and can be painted to match your home’s theme or style.
- 20-year lifespan: They may last for less time than copper gutters, but you won’t have to replace them for a couple of decades if properly maintained.
- Suitable for mild climates: Aluminum gutters can hold their own in hot or cold climates. They’ll be fine in areas not prone to severe weather conditions.
Aluminum Gutter Cons
Does their affordability mean they’re low-quality? There’s no perfect gutter system, and aluminum certainly has its fair share of drawbacks. But in the end, it all comes down to the homeowner tolerating these disadvantages. Here are the cons of aluminum gutters:
- Prone to denting: Aluminum gutters are more prone to dents than copper gutters, with higher risk of leaks.
- Regular maintenance: In addition to removing leaves or branches, you should regularly check on the enamel layer to prevent rusting or corrosion. You, or the pros, can apply new enamel coating if necessary.
- Not suitable for rapid thermal change: This gutter type is not suitable for areas prone to hailstorms, nor is it resistant to heat damage. Additionally, aluminum gutters perform poorly in areas that go through rapid thermal changes.
- Corrosion: An aluminum gutter system cannot be used with copper or algae-resistant shingles, as it will speed up the corrosion process.
- Hiring a pro: Installing sectional aluminum gutters can be DIY-friendly, but a seamless system requires professional installation
Side By Side: Copper vs. Aluminum Gutters
| Copper | Aluminum |
| High cost; very expensive installation | Budget-friendly; affordable installation |
| Superior durability | Prone to dents and leaks |
| 50-year lifespan | 20-year lifespan |
| Difficult to install; custom craftsmanship | DIY-friendly |
| Very low-maintenance | Requires regular upkeep to prevent corrosion or rusting |
| Improves your home’s curb appeal, and may potentially increase resale value | Can be painted to match your home’s style, but won’t increase resale value |
What is the Right Choice for Your Home?
Copper gutter installation is very expensive, but you will be guaranteed a return on your investment. You’ll barely have any maintenance costs to deal with, and its lovely patina could attract potential buyers. It is also the more durable gutter type, able to withstand low or high temperatures.
On the other hand, aluminum gutters are more suitable for homeowners on a smaller budget. With the proper tools and gutter materials, you may even install them yourself. You will need to regularly check for gutter or downspout clogs, and it will get more dents and leaks than other types of gutters. But if regular upkeep and possible denting doesn’t dissuade you, aluminum gutters are still a good alternative to the costly copper gutters.
Apart from these factors, you should also consider your home. If you own a modern home and like to occasionally switch themes or styles, then aluminum gutters are more suitable for you. You can paint them in various different colors, and you won’t worry about the patina not matching the rest of the exterior.
Owners of traditional homes would prefer copper gutters, mostly for the aesthetics. The patina would be a perfect match for homes with historic architectural styles. Even if the price seems steep at first, installing copper gutters would be a one-time investment that pays for itself in the long run.
FAQ About Copper and Aluminum Gutters
Bleach should not be applied on a steel or copper gutter system. The chemicals in the bleach can react with both of these metals and cause them to corrode. You should only use the approved gutter cleaners on either of these metal gutters.
However, bleach can be used on aluminum gutters. There are other ways to clean them, such as a solution of water and white vinegar, but bleach can safely be used without causing damage to your aluminum gutter system.
Copper gutters are low-maintenance, so they do not require painting or sealing. Some homeowners actually can’t wait for the copper gutter to oxidize and change into the lovely green patina. But if you insist on painting them to match the color and style of your home, you may still use the appropriate copper paint and get the desired color.
Note: Do not paint in the direct sun. Metal components tend to get much hotter than wood, meaning the paint will not adhere to the surface under direct sunlight. Enjoy a nice family barbecue instead and do the painting on a cloudier day.
They definitely are. If you have the budget to install seamless gutters, they will not let you down. They are made up of one continuous piece rather than sections, long-lasting, and a low-maintenance option that can also improve your home’s curb appeal. The high installation cost will pay off in the long run.
Apart from seamless and sectional gutters, you also have the option of installing half-round or k-style gutter systems. They each have their own share of benefits, but it all comes down to your personal preference and overall budget.
Here are some of the key characteristics of both gutter types:
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
Afraid of Ladders? Hire a Gutter Installation Pro
Overall, both aluminum and copper gutters have amazing qualities. The choice depends on what you’re looking for, which system you can afford, and which one suits your home.
High-end copper gutters can last for more than 50 years, justifying their high installation costs. They also age like fine wine and add a touch of elegance to your home. On the other hand, aluminum gutters can be painted to match your home’s exterior and are easy to install. They are a budget-friendly option that can last for up to 20 years.
To avoid harming yourself or damaging your home, you may want to leave the guttering project to a pair of experienced hands. Hire a local gutter installation professional to get the job done safely and efficiently.
Main Image Credit: Copper Gutter / Flavio~ from Mazkeret Batia, Israel / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 | Aluminum Gutter / Andy Dean Photography / Canva Pro / License
