Beyond the gutter and downspouts, you'll find inside and outside corner pieces, end caps, slip[joint slice fittings, downspout elbows and a variety of fasteners. This inexpensive combination can save you from repeated overflows, corrosion, and dangerous ladder work. downspouts and outlet fittings and then install gutter screens. lengths we wanted, we bought a different brand at a lumberyard and combined these with components from the home center. Our local home center, for example, had attractive prices, but only sold gutters in 10-ft. It's a universal size and shape, so you can mix brands, In fact, there are times when it pays to shop around. Gutter components are made by several manufacturers and are available through lumberyards, hardware stores, and home centers. Because aluminum doesn't rust, warranties focus on paint durability, usually 20 to 25 years. These are important advantages when you're clinging to a ladder. It's easier to assemble and drive fasteners through, and much easier to lift from one end. above the ground, aluminum might be a better choice. On the other hand, if you'll be working alone or with unskilled help, or if you're working 20 to 30 ft. As for the price, steel costs about 15% more than aluminum. And steel expands and contracts less than aluminum, which means less stress on sealed joints. Steel gutter components are zinc coated and carry 20- to 25-year corrosion warranties and up to 40-year paint warranties. If you have a choice between steel and aluminum systems, which is best? Steel is stronger and heavier than aluminum, so it's less susceptible to wind, ice, and tree damage, downspout extensions are less likely to be blown away or crushed at the ends, and the ladders won't crease the gutters wen they're placed between fasteners. You can find more great projects at Popular Mechanics DIY Central. This project was originally published in the March 2001 issue of Popular Mechanics. In contrast, home center prices for the steel components to handle the same job come in just under $200. For a basic 1960s 24x40-ft ranch with a hip roof, our contractor's estimate was $670, which included removal of the old gutters. Prices will vary with the house and the market, of course, but a comparison we made points to real savings. To prevent corrosion, avoid combining steel and aluminum. Steel components, which dominate the retail market, are usually zinc coated and painted, inside and out, Galvanized, unpainted gutters are also available, as are plastic and aluminum systems, though aluminum can be hard to find in home centers. When installed and sealed correctly, they'll last as long as seamless gutters. Eo-it-yourself components are more affordable, and the quality is really quite good. Seamless aluminum gutters are attractive and can last a long time, but they're expensive. When the time comes to replace your gutters, you'll have tow major options: professionally installed, seamless aluminum gutters and do-it-yourself steel or aluminum systems available at the retail level. In fact, leaky, overflowing gutters can buckle basement walls in just a few years, so it pays to keep your system working properly. Most basement water problems are really gutter and downspout problems. Gutters don't look very impressive, but they're about as important as the roof over your head.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |