Charlie McNeill, managing director at Rainclear Systems, gives this advice to landlords considering gutter maintenance ahead of autumn and winter. 

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Your gutters play a significant role in protecting your home from water damage, so having an efficient rainwater drainage system is crucial. They keep water flowing away from your home’s walls and foundations before it has time to do any damage. But what is the best material for your guttering?

Choosing the best type of guttering material for your home will depend on a variety of factors, such as your budget, where you live and how they affect the look of your home. There are many options to choose from when it comes to deciding on the material for your guttering, but the two main types are either metal or uPVC plastic, with the metal options including galvanised steel, aluminium, copper, zinc and cast iron. 

Here’s an in-depth look into them, and which one is best when it comes to protecting your home from water damage:

Durability

While plastic can be strong, metal is stronger and more durable. Most metal gutters will last for a very long time and can be recycled with a ‘scrap value’ payable when you do, while plastic uPVC gutters, especially colours other than white, tend to have a lifespan of only 10 to 25 years and are not, in practice, recycled in the UK. Metal gutters are less impacted by heat and ultraviolet (UV) light exposure than plastic. UV light can cause plastic gutters to become brittle and heat can make them sag over time. Plastic at the  joints is especially susceptible to thermal expansion, resulting in leaks overtime, and if left unrepaired. 

With regular maintenance, metal gutters can last decades without needing to be replaced or repaired, and are known for staying stable throughout many weathers from baking sun, snow or heavy rain. It’s rare for a metal gutter to crack, break or warp, therefore they last much longer. 

Cost-effective

With the possible exception of galvanised steel, uPVC gutters tend to be the cheapest material and are therefore popular with bulk homebuilders due to their affordability. Plastic gutters are cheaper to buy, and cheaper to repair than their metal counterparts and more often to be found on the shelves everywhere than any other materials. With the exception of galvanised steel, copper, or zinc, plastic gutters are a lot easier to work with. Plus, any additional labour costs will be lower than what would be charged if you were installing the heavier of the metal gutters (Galvanised steel, copper and zinc excepted).

Sustainability

Metal gutters are more sustainable than plastic as they can be recycled, tend to contain a large percentage of recycled material and have a much greater lifespan. Plastic gutters are easily damaged, and have a more limited lifespan, which means they need to be replaced more frequently and involve more waste going into landfill as well as the nurdles inherent in the manufacture of plastic seeping into the environment and into worms, birds and other animals’ (including humans’) stomachs. 

Flexible 

You can also make small changes or attach new pieces without much hassle. Plastic gutters come in a small range of colours too so you won’t need to worry about whether it suits your home or not. 

Although plastic may win on initial outlay and accessibility, it’s clear that metal wins overall. It’s more durable, has a longer lifespan and is more sustainable than plastic guttering and comes in a much wider range of colours and styles to suit any home’s design. 

But which metal is best when it comes to your gutters? That depends. Here’s a look at some of the popular materials and their benefits:

Aluminium

This tends to be the second most popular metal choice when it comes to gutters for homeowners as they’re lightweight and can come in a wide range of different colours to match or contrast with existing aluminium window frames. They’re weather-proof, won’t crack and resist corrosion, meaning they have a longer lifespan than most materials so won’t need replacing very often. They also need very little maintenance and can be really easy to install, with some people opting to install them without a professional. 

Galvanised steel gutters

Galvanised steel gutters come with a coating of zinc applied in the galvanising process to make them rust-proof.  They are the lightest, cheapest and easiest metal gutters to install yourself. They are also eco-friendly, as steel is 100% recyclable and doesn’t need replacing as often as plastic. 

Zinc

Natural or pre-weathered zinc can look stunning, especially with builds utilising a zinc roof, and are just as easy to install as plastic counterparts. They’re low maintenance too – as they won’t need to be replaced for 70+ years.

Copper

If you’re looking for a unique and characterful aesthetic from your gutters, copper tends to be a great choice. While they are very expensive, they look amazing, are highly durable and naturally resist moss, mould and corrosion. As copper is an algaecide and fungicide, this prevents moss and other growth from blocking the system. In addition, they are just as easy to install as plastic, require much less maintenance, and eventually turn a characteristic verdigris colour. If you have the budget, they are a worthwhile investment as they won’t really need to be replaced for 70-100 years. 

Cast iron

Cast iron gutters can keep your building’s authentic character and heritage styling in a way that most others can’t. They’re highly durable and can last a generation or more if maintained properly – giving them the longest lifespan of all types of gutters. Unlike many other types, cast iron is 100% recyclable, making it an eco-friendly option.