Replies

1. 
   CapnMac | Mar 28, 2007 05:53pm | #1

   I've pulled them down, those that weren't falling off (but, that was all work done by "dubious" workers, too).

   After too much experience painting soffits & the like, and remodeling, I much prefer to get a seamless guy on site.  Ok, they are not superbly-crafted copper gutters (you need Grant & Duane for that <g>)--but they are very affordable.

   Now, part of that is that you are "buying" the experience the seamless guys have in getting the gutters up, and precisely fitted to many many houses, too.

   If you have a choice of installers, ask if you can come watch their next install for a bit.  How they work will tell you a lot.

   Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
2. 
   RichBeckman | Mar 28, 2007 06:05pm | #2

   I'm with CapnMac. I am not a fan of vinyl gutters.

   And at this point, the only time I put up gutters myself is if the longest run is ten feet. If I would have to have a seam, then it is a job for the seamless gutter installer.

   They are surprisingly affordable.

   Rich Beckman

   This signature line intentionally left blank.

1. 
   Sphere | Mar 28, 2007 06:17pm | #3

   Our stuff is usually delivered in 25' lengths , I mean, Al. and Cu. I don't think I have ever hung a vinyl gutter...nor likely I will.

   Anyway, seams are not a bad thing, Al. gets rivets and sealant, Cu gets solder and fewer rivets.  Of course we still try to avoid as many seams as possible, just for install time sake, but any hunk of gutter much over 30' is tuff for just two guys, even the slightest wind can wrap ya up in it.Inmate # 40735 At Taunton Federal Penitentiary.

1. 
   caseyr | Mar 30, 2007 04:55am | #28

   I have never understood why the commonly available downspouts are so small. One oak leaf gets crossways in the downspout and the thing is plugged up. Are the custom fabricators able to provide a range of gutter widths and larger downspouts or do they generally have just a set die that they are locked into?

1. 
   Sphere | Mar 30, 2007 05:18am | #29

   That is what Grant does, we can do anything. Dies? Alum. we use pre made drops, and sometimes K style butt end caps. But for the most of it, we make everything.

   A mitered end cap on alum" K" gutter takes a person who cares..you can't just go buy one off the shelf.

   I spent the better part of this last winter, doing not much more than gutters...every shape and form.

   See his website,he is the man.

   I'll add, if you go copper, you'll never look back, if it is hung right. The Old "pay now or pay later"...your call.Inmate # 40735 At Taunton Federal Penitentiary.

2. 
   casnshs | Mar 28, 2007 06:17pm | #4

   Have either of you ever used the rainhandler system that does not have any downspouts?Thanks

1. 
   CapnMac | Mar 28, 2007 07:00pm | #7

   I've not; but, that has much more to do with maximum design rainfall amounts.

   (Can get a very similar effect from leaf guards on stock K gutters, though, when it comes down 2" in a hour.)

   When I was working around Austin, everyone was "harvesting" rainfall, so you had to have down leaders.  Around town here, the soil is so awful, you need to control where all the water goes--so, no gutter means needing a graveled surface "french drain."  Down leaders & gutters are much simpler.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

1. 
   casnshs | Mar 28, 2007 07:13pm | #8

   OK , the vinyl gutters are out. But I think I may be interested in the rainhandler, I can get them for about half what a gutter company wants to install gutters.

1. 
   seeyou | Mar 28, 2007 09:17pm | #11

   >>>>>>>>>>I may be interested in the rainhandler, I can get them for about half what a gutter company wants to install gutters.Save your money and don't do anything at all. All rainhandlers do is spread the water out slightly. Plus, they're hideous. Keep the venetian blinds on the windows where they belong.http://logancustomcopper.com

   http://grantlogan.net/

   "We have enough youth, how about a fountain of smart?"

    

2. 
   woody1777 | Mar 29, 2007 08:18am | #12

   Just for sh!ts and giggles how much money are we talking?

   I am with the other guys, the rainhandler stuff is a joke, not worth the time it takes to put it up

3. 
   CardiacPaul | Mar 29, 2007 04:57pm | #16

   "Half the price of gutters"  Until you rip them down & replace them with real gutters.

   Try saving money some where else on your home.  I installed rainhandlers on one house for a guy that supplied them, what a bunch of crap.

   Paul

3. 
   JeffBuck | Mar 30, 2007 12:58am | #21

   And at this point, the only time I put up gutters myself is if the longest run is ten feet. If I would have to have a seam, then it is a job for the seamless gutter installer.

    

   U need a longer truck or ladder racks!

   Jeff    Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

3. 
   LeeLamb | Mar 28, 2007 06:36pm | #5

   IMHO - junk, garbage, worthless, waste of time, waste of money. 

   I placed a ten foot section on the back of a shed. They warped, sagged, twisted, skewed... Installed according to instructions with all the recommended hardware. My findings:  junk, garbage, worthless, waste of time, waste of money... Oh and they are ugly.

   Seamless aluminum with Amerimax hidden screw-type hangers look great and go up nice and easy.

   Good luck!

4. 
   seeyou | Mar 28, 2007 06:46pm | #6

   >>>>>>>>>>Has anyone ever installed vinyl gutters.

   I've seen 'em used in heavy snow country (ie, Maine) over doorways, etc. The reason for using plastic I was told was that they were disposable. More than likely, the snow's gonna rip them off, so install something cheap.

   You can probably get a seamless truck to squeeze out the lengths for you at your residence for about the same price as you'd pay for plastic. Get some help to hang the long stuff or get ingenious. I've hung a 50' piece by myself on 2 story. Or just pay gutter guys to do it - it's usually not that expensive.

   http://logancustomcopper.com

   http://grantlogan.net/

   "We have enough youth, how about a fountain of smart?"

    

1. 
   Piffin | Mar 29, 2007 02:54pm | #14

   I've put some on my placeThree timessnow and ice... 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   seeyou | Mar 29, 2007 04:06pm | #15

   You're the one that told me about the diposability of them.http://logancustomcopper.com

   http://grantlogan.net/

   "We have enough youth, how about a fountain of smart?"

    

5. 
   DanH | Mar 28, 2007 07:25pm | #9

   About 20 years ago a dozen homes in our little burg had vinyl gutters installed. They're all gone now (*). They sag badly if not supported at twice the number of points in the installation instructions. They fade quickly. They are generally smaller than standard K-style gutters and don't handle the water as well.

   It is amazing how cheap (around here, at least) it is to get good quality seamless aluminum gutters professionally installed.

   (*) Full disclosure: I actually have some vinyl gutters installed on the covered part of my deck. They're doing fine. However, they're well-supported, protected from the weather (hidden behind framing), and handle relatively little roof area, so no problem with overflowing (except when the birds build nests there).

   So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
6. 
   tek | Mar 28, 2007 08:33pm | #10

   I had to re-hang the ones that came with the house we bought.  I'm only putting up with them till I get a new roof on.  The connection pieces tend to trap debris and water, the system as a whole is diy designed (at least the systems I've seen).

   On the other hand, they've held their own against some pretty gnarly snow drifts (gambrel roof) and they sure do look purdy and shiny when you clean them.

7. 
   Matt | Mar 29, 2007 02:34pm | #13

   My seamless guy charges me $1.70 a lin ft for ALum.  That is for both the gutters and the oversized downspouts.  That comes up to around $400 a house - 1700 sq ft 2 story.  To me, it's dirt cheap for all that ladder work.  Also, it takes 2 people to do seamless gutters.

1. 
   DanH | Mar 29, 2007 05:13pm | #17

   Yeah, had our similar-sized house done some years back for around $300. You'd have to pay me a lot more than $300 to do that much high ladder work.
   So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin

1. 
   casnshs | Mar 29, 2007 06:15pm | #18

   got a price from 2 different companies. One was 2100 and the other was 1600 , I know both of the companies and they both do good work. So I think I'll do what Andy told Aunt Bee to do about the freezer and "Pay the Man "I am talking about 300 linear feet of gutter and six downspouts.
   Does either one of those prices sound extreme?Thanks everyone for your help.

1. 
   DanH | Mar 29, 2007 08:45pm | #19

   I'm thinking our job worked out to be about 120 feet of gutter, plus four downspouts. Something like $295 10-12 years ago. Would be maybe $500 today. Labor prices here aren't down-South cheap, but probably not as steep as a coast.

   So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin

1. 
   edwardh1 | Mar 30, 2007 03:57am | #24

   so your Mexicans charge more?

2. 
   DanH | Mar 30, 2007 04:41am | #27

   Mung. (AFAIK, relatively few "undocumented workers" in the construction trades here. Most appear to be in the farm/landscape work areas.)
   So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin

2. 
   seeyou | Mar 30, 2007 12:01am | #20

   >>>>>>>One was 2100 and the other was 1600Don't know if it's 5" or 6" or how cut up (miters take a lot of time to do right), but for a relatively simple 5" job, $2100 sounds a little high and $1600 seems a little low. If it's a complicated 6" job, $2100 seems about right.http://logancustomcopper.com

   http://grantlogan.net/

   "We have enough youth, how about a fountain of smart?"

    

3. 
   Matt | Mar 30, 2007 02:11am | #22

   Both prices sound high to me.

   For gutters you don't need a big company with a sales and a service department.  My gutter guy has a truck, a seamless machine, a helper and insurance.  LIke I said - he reciently charged me $1.70 a foot for Al gutters.  Granted, that was multiple houses, but even at $4 a foot that is only $1200 for yours.  I think they are 5" gutters and I know the downspouts are 3"x4".  Guy I had before was the same price.  He had several trucks and more guys, but he forgot to call me back one too many times.  I'm thinking your area is a similar cost of living to mine.

1. 
   casnshs | Mar 30, 2007 03:21am | #23

   Thanks, for the pricing info, maybe I will keep an eye out for a smaller company.

2. 
   seeyou | Mar 30, 2007 03:57am | #25

   >>>>>>>>>I think they are 5" gutters and I know the downspouts are 3"x4". Normally, but not always, 5" gutters will have 2x3 downspouts.>>>>>>>>>he reciently charged me $1.70 a foot for Al gutters.How recently? I can't buy the materials for that price. I don't have a gutter machine, but my squeezer charges me $1.68/ft plus slaes tax just for the gutter not including hangers and accessories. OTOH, I only buy the thicker material (.032 i think).http://logancustomcopper.com

   http://grantlogan.net/

   "We have enough youth, how about a fountain of smart?"

    

3. 
   Matt | Mar 30, 2007 04:36am | #26

   >> Normally, but not always, 5" gutters will have 2x3 downspouts. <<

   I always get the oversized downspouts.  It greatly reduces clogs.

   >> How recently? <<

   3 weeks ago.