San Antonio, Texas is known for its hot summer months but it has also become famous for unexpected winter storms like the one that rolled through Texas in 2021. With freezing rain, snow, and ice covering San Antonio, some homes suffered quite a bit of damage from the frigid weather.
As preparation for future weather shifts, homeowners should focus on adding or updating exterior systems like gutters. Building up the exterior of your home won’t just ward off damage, it will also attract buyers. While the housing market is still favorable toward sellers, more and more houses are spending additional days on the market. Due to inflation, buyers now more than ever are looking to make their homes a solid investment that won’t create more work and expenses for them.
Types of gutters
Homeowners in San Antonio, Texas need to be prepared for wet summers and the possibility of freezing weather during the winter. Luckily, there are several types of gutter systems that are strong enough to handle both types of weather. Gutters can be half-round or K-style. K-style gutters are very popular because they look like crown molding. However, some home look better with a half-round gutter that has a curved gutter lip.
Gutter materials
Copper
The sturdiest gutter material is copper. It never rusts and never needs to be painted. It should last 100 years in any climate and is available in seamless or in sections. Copper gutters are the most expensive type of gutters and cost about $11 to $18 per foot.
Zinc
Second to copper gutters are zinc gutters. Just like copper they are rustproof and very strong. They last anywhere from 30 to 50 years and cost about $9 to $10 per foot.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel gutters are another popular choice because it is immune to rust. It also comes in seamless or sections but costs about $5 to $12 per foot.
Aluminum
A final gutter material that can withstand strong weather is aluminum. Aluminum gutters can be seamless or sectional and won’t rust. Heavyweight aluminum won’t dent or bend like lightweight aluminum and lasts about 25 years. Aluminum gutters cost about $2 to $8 per foot.
Vinyl
The least expensive option for gutters is vinyl. This option may cost quite a bit less money than other options but it won’t last long. Vinyl won’t rust or rot but intense sun can make it brittle and it can bend and bow under heavy rain, wind, ice, and snow.
Final tips:
- Opt for seamless gutters as they are preferred by home buyers. You will also avoid seams where sections meet that can allow water to seep through or allow debris to collect.
- Use a leaf guard. Protect your gutters from a buildup of debris with a gutter guard. The addition can prevent ice dams and dented gutters.
- Match your gutters to your home. Pick gutters that blend into your home rather than stand out. Choose gutters that are the same color as your home’s trim.
- Fit your gutters to your home. Gutters can be anywhere between 5 and 8 inches in size. Eight inch gutters are great for homes that have quite a bit of rain or debris falling around them. But if your house is smaller in size, large gutters would stand out and look out of place.
- Speak to a top San Antonio, Texas real estate agent about gutter systems that are popular in your area as well as a system that will keep your home value high.
Have your gutters professionally installed or repaired. Gutters need to work as a system to properly drain water away from the house. A professional can level the gutters and ensure the brackets and braces are in the correct areas to properly support the gutter system.
