I want to find a good eavestrough system, made of aluminum rather than plastic. So the big box stores are out the window on this. Therefore I ask the best workmen and contractors – which system do you prefer to use and why?
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If snow and ice damming are an issue, go with 24 ga. steel. Any good sheet metal fabricator can make it up for you, usually in 10ft lengths. It's available in all sorts of colors; made from the same stuff as steel roofing.
Either system (steel I guess, or alum) of the right size........
..........and design is what I recommend. Too often the small stuff is used-too small for the volume of water it needs to collect in a good rain.
Further, the spout location is important, real important. If house design dictates the location you often find all the good trough is choked by only one spout-often in the wrong location in regards to collection and dumping the water.
It's not just wrap the house and spew it out.
Of course, this from a guy that put his money in the ground with no gutters. In a woods with small leaves (or needles or maple spinners or.........) it is ludicrous in time an effort to use gutters.
Best of luck.
The advantage of aluminum (besides not rusting) is that it's a lot easier to get in pre-painted continuous form. There are a few outfits that do continuous steel, but I don't think it's usually pre-painted. And you don't want joints (unless you're going to get soldered copper).
Hire it out to someone who does continuous pre-painted heavy guage aluminum. It's what we did about 20 years ago, and in spite of snow, ice, and ladders it's still in good condition, aside from a few ladder scratches and some fading.