Also consider other materials, such as copper with its gorgeous patina and lasting value.Ī thicker gutter aluminum will not deform under load, will outlast any DIY gutter, and will perform far longer than thinner products. Go Proįor aluminum gutters that will last, ask your gutter contractor for the serious stuff: 0.027 or, better, 0.032. The trade-off for the great feeling of accomplishment by installing inferior gutters yourself is thin, short-lived gutters likely to dent and bend under ice or water loads.

Such thin metal is easy for the DIYer to cut and install. Unfortunately, because DIYers seldom have the right tools for every task, the stuff in the big-box stores is often very thin aluminum, 0.025, or even extremely thin 0.019. Better is 0.032, which has noticeably more heft and will outlast the thinner stuff. Most professional gutter contractors work with 0.027, which is 27-thousandths of an inch thick. Substantial and sturdy, neither metal will yield to dents and warping when installed in those gauges.Īluminum is measured in thousandths of an inch. The higher the number, the thinner the steel or copper, so if you have galvanized steel or copper gutters, they are most likely between 28 gauge and 16 gauge. Your house is probably wired in 14 or 12-gauge wire, plenty thick enough to carry electricity without risk of fire. Steel and copper thickness is measured in gauge. Why would this make a difference? Gauge for Yourself It’s Do-It-Yourself (DIY) grade, not the stuff professional gutter contractors use. You are most likely hefting a very thin piece of aluminum. Take a trip to your nearby home improvement store and stroll into the roofing and gutter supplies aisle.

Aluminum seamless gutters