Gutters are critical components of your home since they help to prolong the life of a structure.
They accomplish this by channeling rainy and snowmelt from the roof, walls and sides of the house without damaging materials.
Simply put, gutters convey rainy and snowy water from the roof into the ground through a downspout.
Without a gutter system, water will eventually seep underneath the shingles and begin the process of weakening the foundations of your entire house. Gutters are made of several different materials, most are metal but some are plastic.
It is very important to select the best material for your gutter because this will affect the product’s functionality and henceforth protect your house!
Out of those materials commonly used for gutters, aluminum or vinyl are prevalent choices. This article is a comparison of the two types of gutters.
Vinyl And Aluminum Gutters
Vinyl and aluminum gutters have many of the same features.
However, the differences are greater than the similarities, specifically in performance.
The biggest difference is, of course, the materials.
The aluminum gutters are metallic, while the vinyl gutters are plastic.
The comparison below goes over the gutters in more detail.
Similarities Between Vinyl and Aluminum Gutters
Aluminum and vinyl gutters are equally common in many states of the USA.
Like all gutters, they help to protect the buildings structure by channeling rainwater and snow on the roof away from the shingles and house walls.
For both materials, installation is relatively easy compared to many other types of gutters.
Most of the time, an individual can install them easily without hiring professionals to assist. Furthermore, they are both lightweight which again speaks to the ease of installation.
Additionally, both types of gutters are and pretty inexpensive, especially relative to other types. Thus, they can be great for anyone on a budget.
Thus, comparing strength and durability as well as ease of installation, cost, and weight, vinyl and aluminum gutters are similar.
Differences Between Vinyl and Aluminum Gutters
As aforementioned in the article, vinyl and aluminum gutters have more differences than similarities.
They have differences in the:
- materials used
- durability
- ease of use
- cost-effectiveness
- and colors
Materials
As their names imply, aluminum gutters are made from aluminum and vinyl gutters are made from PVC.
For your reference, PVC is a term for plastic, as both aluminum and vinyl gutters are very light in weight, but PVC is lighter than aluminum.
In general, metal is more durable than plastic, so aluminum gutters will probably last much longer than vinyl gutters.
This is because metals are more capable of withstanding intense harsh weather like extreme heat and extreme cold.
In contrast, plastic will eventually succumb to extreme conditions.
Plastic becomes brittle when exposed to cold weather.
Plastic will sag with excessive heat, which renders it quite useless as a gutter. Aluminum gutters may dent, but only under the most intense heat and cold conditions.
Aluminum, like all metals, is prone to corrosion when exposed to moisture.
Fortunately: Aluminum is not as prone to rust as most metals. That said it is still important to paint aluminum gutters to protect them from rust.
Durability
Aluminum gutters, as expected, are stronger than vinyl gutters.
It is also important to know that aluminum does not easily breakdown or deteriorate under other external conditions.
If you check on it regularly as needed, the gutter itself can last close to 50 years.
They are very strong and sturdy.
The only downside to aluminum gutters, as mentioned earlier, is that they will rust if they receive water multiple times.
A rusted aluminum gutter will have a shortened lifespan. Fortunately, this can be refrained by a extra coat of paint on the gutter.
Vinyl can break down and crack under extreme situations such as hail storms, wind, or very hot sun.
While they don’t rust like aluminum, they will sag and become brittle when it gets too hot or too cold. In addition, they also have seams that will break under some pressure, and also cause leaks.
Best Set: Vinyl gutters can last up to 20 years in a calm and dry area. Aluminum gutters are a better fit for wetter areas, or parts of the world that have rain, snow, and/or wind.
Ease of Use
Vinyl gutters are more lightweight compared to aluminum gutters. Therefore, it is much easier to handle a vinyl gutter than an aluminum gutter.
For example, it is very easy to install the vinyl gutter yourself. So vinyl gutters are ideal for the do-it-yourselfer who wants to fix things themselves.
The only disadvantage of self-installing a vinyl gutter is that the process can get a little long because of all the seams. You have to take extra caution not to break a seam, which takes additional time.
In contrast, aluminum gutters have no seams, so they can be installed faster than vinyl gutters. However, you still want to find a professional to do it rather than self-installing it as a DIY project.
In addition, there are also more professional installers for aluminum gutters than vinyl gutters, possibly due to a smaller need for carpenters to install PVC gutters.
When it comes to maintenance – It is easier to maintain a PVC gutter because it does not require paint or a coating to be in good shape.
In contrast, an aluminum gutter requires some coat so that it does not rust.
The painting has to be redone periodically, so you need to be on the lookout when it begins to fade.
Cost-effectiveness
Vinyl gutters are more lightweight compared to aluminum gutters. Therefore, it is much easier to handle a vinyl gutter than an aluminum gutter.
For example, it is very easy to install the vinyl gutter yourself. So vinyl gutters are ideal for the do-it-yourselfer who wants to fix things themselves.
The only disadvantage of self-installing a vinyl gutter is that the process can get a little long because of all the seams. You have to take extra caution not to break a seam, which takes additional time.
In contrast, aluminum gutters have no seams, so they can be installed faster than vinyl gutters. However, you still want to find a professional to do it rather than self-installing it as a DIY project.
In addition, there are also more professional installers for aluminum gutters than vinyl gutters, possibly due to a smaller need for carpenters to install PVC gutters.
When it comes to maintenance – It is easier to maintain a PVC gutter because it does not require paint or a coating to be in good shape.
In contrast, an aluminum gutter requires some coat so that it does not rust.
The painting has to be redone periodically, so you need to be on the lookout when it begins to fade.
Colors
Aluminum gutters possess a larger selection of hues than vinyl gutters do.
It is possible to find an aluminum gutter in blue, green, red, black, gray, and white.
Because of this, you can choose an aluminum gutter color that matches the aesthetics of your home’s exterior.
Vinyl gutters, on the other hand, will only be available in neutral colors, black, and white.
Vinyl gutters are probably the best for simple-minded individuals who do not care about the appearance of their home exterior.
Pros of Aluminum Over Vinyl Gutters
Aluminum gutters have the upper hand compared to vinyl gutters in several instances.
These instances include the following.
Aluminum gutters are seamless
Unlike vinyl gutters, aluminum gutters come with very few or no seams at all.
As a result, they have fewer chances of leaking and causing damage to your home.
They are also easier and quicker to install, which is a definite plus.
Additionally, seamless gutters are visually appealing and look nice on a home.
Aluminum gutters do not get worn easily
Aluminum gutters have a thicker and heavier material compared to PVC gutters.
This means they will handle external conditions better.
They also do not rust as easily as other metals which can further be delayed by a coat of paint.
If a dent or any other issues occur, they can be repaired easily as well. It is the durability and strength of aluminum guttering that gives it longer lifespan compared to vinyl gutters.
Aluminum gutters have a variety of colors to choose from
There are more colors available for aluminum gutters than there are for vinyl gutters.
This means you can select the color that looks best or matches your home the best.
Vinyl gutters come only in neutral colors, but aluminum gutters come in blue, red, green, and neutrals.
Aluminum is more cost-effective
Although aluminum gutters are more expensive than vinyl gutters upfront, you will actually save money over time by installing aluminum gutters.
This is because aluminum gutters last longer, meaning lower costs in replacing gutters.
Further, aluminum gutters do not need repairs as often as vinyl gutters, meaning lower costs of repairs.
Overall, aluminum gutters will provide you with a better return on investment versus vinyl gutters.
Aluminum is environmentally friendly
Vinyl is composed of PVC, meaning it is not biodegradable.
When disposed of, vinyl accumulates in the earth and water systems and disrupts natural cycles.
Also, plastic releases hazardous chemicals that negatively impact both the environment and people living near those sites.
Meanwhile, aluminum is recyclable and is therefore environmentally friendly.
Pros of Vinyl Over Aluminum Gutters
Vinyl gutters are lightweight
Vinyl is lighter than aluminum because it’s made of PVC.
That means vinyl gutters are really manageable and simple to install.
You can do it yourself, which saves you a little money.
With aluminum, you will need a pro install it, and that may cost you some money.
Vinyl gutters do not rust
In contrast to aluminum gutters, those made from vinyl are not subject to rust, even in the presence of moisture.
This is due to the fact that vinyl is a plastic, therefore plastic does not rust.
So you will not need to put the protective coating of paint, which is absolutely necessary with metal gutters.
Low initial cost
Vinyl gutters are much cheaper than aluminum gutters.
They are also more financially feasible for most people, so are a great option if you have a tight budget.
You can find a vinyl gutter for as low as $3 to $5 a length.
Which Is Better? (Vinyl Vs. Aluminum Gutters)
The better gutter option will pragmatically depend on the most important factors to you.
For this reason, some people prefer vinyl gutters, whereas other folks find aluminum gutters more useful.
Common factors people consider are:
- performance
- durability
- cost
- ease of use
- weight
- maintenance
When considering durability and performance, aluminum gutters win hands down.
The regional climate may also play a factor in determining what gutters may work better as well.
If you live in an area where heavy rains are the norm, then you should consider aluminum gutters because aluminum gutters are stronger than vinyl gutters.
On the other hand, if you are one of those DIY folks, then you probably prefer vinyl gutters because they are relatively easy to install.
Vinyl gutters are also the preferred option for people on a budget, as polyvinyl chloride (vinyl gutters) are cheaper than aluminum or other gutter products.
Also, vinyl gutters may be easier to maintain, as you would not have to paint or add coatings to gutters like you would an aluminum gutter, for rust prevention.
And if you are environmentally friendly, then aluminum gutters would probably be more suitable for you. Metal gutters can be recycled, but plastic gutters cannot.
In addition to the plastic issues, plastic gutters will not biodegrade, which could have devastating effects on the environment.
Which Is the Most Recommendable Gutter (Vinyl Vs. Aluminum Gutters)
While both aluminum and vinyl gutters have their benefits and drawbacks, the benefits of aluminum gutters surpass the benefits of vinyl. Aluminum gutters have most of the positives of vinyl but none of the negatives.
Most of the time, contractors prefer aluminum over vinyl. Aluminum gutters will typically perform better and be more effective than vinyl.
Aluminum gutters are efficient in price, solid, durable, seamless, and do a better job of preventing damage to your home, particularly in regions that experience heavy rains and hail storms.
The structure of vinyl gutters is really weak and cannot hold heavy loads for long periods. Therefore, vinyl gutters will also crack in regions with heavy rains. The seams can also contribute to the weak structure as they can pop out under pressure and leak.
You have the choice of seamless vinyl gutters, but they would still be weaker than aluminum gutters. Overall, aluminum gutters are generally found on homes in the United States rather than vinyl.
Final Words
Vinyl and aluminum gutters are widely used in many homes in America.
Though both materials share qualities that make them appealing options—affordable, lightweight, and easy to install—aluminum gutters outperform vinyl.
Furthermore, most contractors will recommend using aluminum gutters over vinyl gutters.
Aluminum gutters are built to perform better than vinyl gutters as they have multiple strengths.
They are durable, affordable, and easy to fix and maintain.
Most importantly, they are structurally built to withstand excessive rainfall and other serious weather conditions.