If you’re looking for metal gutters that protect your home from water damage without breaking the bank, steel and aluminum gutters are great options to consider. While aluminum gutters are more affordable and easier to install, steel gutters are more durable and less prone to leaks.
The choice between aluminum and steel gutters depends on your local climate, the level of maintenance you’re willing to do, and your budget. In this article, we’ll compare steel and aluminum gutters to help you decide which one is right for your home.
| Best Choice | |
| Cost | Aluminum Gutters |
| Longevity | Stainless Steel Gutters |
| Durability | Steel Gutters |
| Ease of Installation | Aluminum Gutters |
| Maintenance | Stainless Steel Gutters |
| Resilience in Extreme Weather | Steel Gutters |
| Rust Resistance | Stainless Steel Gutters |
| Risk of Leaks | Steel Gutters |
| Customization and Appearance | Aluminum Gutters |
Cost
According to the Freedonia Group, aluminum gutters are the most affordable metal gutter option in the market and are DIY-friendly. Because of this, it’s no surprise that aluminum is the most popular metal gutter material in homes today.
There are two common types of steel gutters: galvanized steel and stainless steel. Galvanized steel has a rust-resistant zinc coating. Meanwhile, stainless steel is composed of chromium, which makes it more resistant to rust than galvanized steel.
Galvanized steel gutters are slightly more expensive than aluminum gutters, which makes them another popular choice for homeowners seeking metal gutters. On the other hand, stainless steel gutters are more expensive than aluminum and galvanized steel gutters.
Including materials and labor, you can expect to pay around $8 to $19 per linear foot for aluminum gutters. Meanwhile, galvanized steel typically costs around $6 to $17 per linear foot. Gutter installation costs also depend on the length, especially when you’re installing seamless gutters.
Winner: Installing aluminum gutters would cost less if you make it a DIY project, and they are typically less expensive than steel gutters.
Longevity
With proper maintenance, aluminum gutters can last over 20 years. Meanwhile, galvanized steel gutters typically have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years. The winner for longevity is stainless steel gutters, which can last over 50 years.
Winner: If properly maintained, stainless steel gutters can last more than 50 years. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, aluminum gutters can last over 20 years.
Durability
Aluminum gutters can hold the weight of leaves, organic debris, and snow without sagging or warping. Because they are made of a thinner material than steel gutters, aluminum gutters are prone to dents due to the impact and weight of heavy objects, such as hail and tree branches.
On the other hand, steel gutters are less prone to dents caused by heavy objects. Additionally, they can support the weight of snow, ice, and rainwater without sagging.
Steel gutters are typically installed without seams and joints, which lessens the risk of leaks and makes them more durable. On the other hand, seamless aluminum gutters may still be susceptible to leaks because aluminum tends to expand and contract.
Winner: Steel gutters are more durable because they can support more weight, are less prone to dents, and have a lower risk of leaks.
Ease of Installation
Sectional aluminum gutters are popular among DIY-ers because they are lightweight and easy to install. However, seamless gutters, regardless of the material, should be professionally installed due to the specialized equipment and expertise required.
As Cory Peterson, a gutter industry professional with over 20 years of experience and the president of Gutter Tune-Up, notes, “Aluminum typically requires professional installation, especially for seamless systems.”
On the other hand, steel gutters require professional installation because they’re heavier and more difficult to install than aluminum. These factors can increase the upfront costs of steel gutters.
Winner: Aluminum gutters are easy to install and DIY-friendly.
Maintenance
Proper maintenance helps prolong the lifespan of your gutters. It prevents clogs, leaks, and rust, which can help minimize potential repair costs.
Stainless steel gutters are low maintenance, but galvanized steel gutters require more time and effort. You’ll need to regularly clean them to prevent water buildup and inspect them to check if the zinc layer needs recoating.
Aluminum gutters require regular cleaning, especially sectional ones. You’ll need to remove debris and water to prevent leaks from forming between the seams and joints, which can cause rust. If you painted your aluminum gutters, you’ll need to repaint them every 5 to 10 years.
Winner: Stainless steel gutters require less maintenance than aluminum and galvanized steel gutters.
Resilience in Extreme Weather
Aluminum gutters aren’t suitable for areas that experience hailstorms, heavy rainfall, and strong winds because they are prone to dents or cracks. Additionally, they tend to expand and contract due to extreme heat or cold, which may increase the risk of leaks.
Unlike aluminum gutters, steel gutters can withstand extreme weather conditions, while carrying the weight of rainfall or snow, without cracking or warping. They are less prone to denting from hailstorms and are less likely to expand or contract due to extreme temperature fluctuations.
If you live in an area where adding ice-melting systems to your gutters is advised, steel gutters are a better choice for you. You can still add a heating system to your aluminum gutters, but you should hire a professional to install it for you.
While aluminum and galvanized steel gutters are rust-resistant, they aren’t ideal for coastal areas because the high salt content in the air increases the risk of rust and corrosion. Stainless steel gutters are your best option for your coastal home because they can withstand the effects of saltwater damage.
Winner: Steel gutters perform better in harsh weather conditions. Stainless steel gutters are the best choice for coastal climates.
Rust Resistance
Aluminum and steel gutters are naturally resistant to rust. Aluminum gutters have an enamel layer that protects them from rust. On the other hand, galvanized steel’s zinc coating and stainless steel’s chromium enable them to resist rust.
However, the zinc layer that protects galvanized steel gutters from rust fades over time, so you’ll need to recoat it every 10 years. Additionally, you’ll need to inspect them regularly to detect early signs of rust.
Winner: Stainless steel gutters come out on top as they are less prone to rust.
Risk of Leaks
Aluminum gutters, especially sectional ones, are more leak-prone than steel gutters. Clogs and trapped debris between the seams are common causes of leaks in sectional aluminum gutters.
The good news is that seamless aluminum gutters can minimize the risk of leaks because of their lack of joints or seams. Additionally, they are custom-fit to your home’s dimensions, so they’re built to handle the rainwater and drain it away from your home.
While installing seamless aluminum gutters can minimize leaks, the tendency of aluminum to expand and contract from temperature fluctuations can potentially cause leaks. On the other hand, steel gutters retain their shape in extreme weather conditions.
Steel gutters are installed without seams, which makes them less susceptible to leaks. However, you’ll need to clean them regularly to prevent debris and standing water buildup. Clogs can cause rust to form in your steel gutters, which can eventually create leaks.
If you’re considering installing seamless aluminum gutters, Peterson recommends K-style gutters: “K-style gutters are more common and often more affordable, especially in aluminum or vinyl.” He adds that they “reduce leaks and look cleaner” compared to their sectional counterparts.
Winner: Steel gutters are less prone to leaks than aluminum gutters.
Customization and Appearance
Aluminum gutters are more customizable than steel gutters. Their porous surface allows them to easily be painted to match your home’s appearance. You can also paint them yourself after installation, with a wide range of colors and finishes to choose from.
The customization options for galvanized steel gutters pale in comparison to aluminum gutters because there are fewer paint colors available. Meanwhile, stainless steel gutters have a chrome-like finish that suits modern homes well.
Painting your aluminum or galvanized steel gutters provides another layer of protection for your gutters. However, you’ll need to repaint them to refresh the color of the paint.
Winner: You have more customization options with aluminum gutters to match your home’s exterior.
FAQs
Stainless steel gutters are long-lasting, durable, and rust-resistant. Overall, they have better attributes than galvanized steel. The major downside to stainless steel gutters is their high cost.
Yes. Seamless aluminum gutters are installed as a single, continuous slab of gutter material that is custom-fit to your home’s dimensions and needs. They are more durable and less prone to leaks than their sectional counterparts, but are more expensive because they should be professionally installed.
Although aluminum gutters are one of the most affordable options, vinyl gutters are the cheapest gutters on the market. They are made of PVC, a plastic material that isn’t as durable as aluminum.
| Meet the Expert: Cory Peterson has over two decades of experience as a professional who’s worked on residential and commercial gutters. Throughout his career, he developed an understanding of water management systems, roofing materials, and installation techniques that stand the test of time. Peterson brings his expertise and philosophy into his role as the president of Gutter Tune-Up LLC. Their services include high-flow gutter systems, premium gutter protection, and expert installation. Their team provides personalized gutter solutions to homeowners in Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay. |
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What to read next:
- The Pros and Cons of Steel Gutters
- Pros and Cons of Aluminum Gutters
- Vinyl vs. Aluminum Gutters: Which Is Right for You?
- Pros and Cons of Copper Gutters
Main Image: Side-by-side image of Steel and Aluminum Gutters. Image Credits: Steel Gutter: Rattanachat / Adobe Stock; Aluminum gutter: Andy Dean / Adobe Stock
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