Your gutters came in ten-foot sections, and every one of those joints has started to drip. You’ve run a bead of caulk along a few of them, and by the next spring they’re leaking again, leaving streaks down the siding and a wet strip of mulch below. If you’re looking at seamless gutters in Shawnee, KS, you’re probably tired of chasing leaks one joint at a time.
You also want to know whether seamless gutters are worth it, or just a sales term. That’s a reasonable question to ask before you replace anything.
APC Roofing installs seamless rain gutters and works on the fascia and soffits they hang from, so your new gutters go up on solid wood. We’re GAF Certified, licensed and insured, and estimates are free. Call 913-398-5020 to have your house measured.
What “seamless” actually means
Sectional gutters come from the store in short, fixed lengths, usually 10 feet. Every place two lengths meet is a seam, joined with a connector and sealant.
Seamless gutters are formed from a coil of metal by a machine at your house, and each run is cut to the exact length of that wall. A 40-foot run along the back of the house is one continuous piece of gutter instead of four pieces and three seams.
They aren’t completely joint-free. Corners, end caps and downspout outlets are still joints and still need careful sealing. But a typical house goes from dozens of joints down to a handful, and those few are at corners and outlets where they’re easier to build well and easy to check later.
Why seamless gutters make sense in Shawnee
Sealant at a gutter joint ages faster in a climate that swings hard between seasons. Kansas City summers bake it. Winters freeze and thaw it over and over, and the metal on either side expands and contracts with every swing. After enough cycles, the sealant cracks and lets go, and the joint starts to drip.
Fewer joints means fewer places for that to happen. It also means fewer edges inside the gutter for leaves and seed pods to catch on, so water flows more freely to the downspout.
Choosing the material
Aluminum is the most common choice for seamless gutters on homes. It won’t rust, it’s light enough to be easy on the fascia, and it comes in many colors so it can match or contrast with your trim. Its weakness is dents. Large hail can leave marks you’ll see from the driveway, and a ladder leaned against it can crease it.
Steel is stiffer and stands up better to hail and ladders, which is why some homeowners in hail country ask about it. It’s heavier, and its coating is what keeps it from rusting, so scratches need attention.
Copper lasts a very long time and develops a patina, and it costs considerably more. Vinyl is common at home centers in sections but tends to get brittle in cold weather, so it isn’t usually used for seamless runs.
Shape and size
Most seamless gutters on Shawnee homes are K-style, which has a flat back and a decorative front that looks like crown molding. Half-round gutters are a more traditional look on some older or custom homes.
Size matters as much as material. Most homes use 5-inch or 6-inch gutters, and the right size depends on how much roof drains into each run and how steep it is. Our gutter installation in Shawnee page explains how gutters and downspouts get sized for the roof.
Fascia comes before new gutters
Seamless gutters are only as solid as the board they hang on. If your old gutters overflowed or leaked for years, the fascia behind them may be soft or rotted, especially at the corners. Hanging new gutters on bad wood is how a new system ends up sagging in a year.
Before your new gutters go up, the fascia gets checked. If any boards are soft, they’re replaced first, and you’ll see what was found and get a separate line on the estimate.
Seamless vs. sectional, side by side
Sectional gutters cost less up front and are easy to replace one piece at a time. They also have far more joints to leak, and the joints are spread along the whole run.
Seamless gutters are made to measure, so each run fits the house exactly. There are fewer leaks to chase, and the long, clean lines look better from the street. For most homeowners replacing a whole system, seamless is the better long-term choice.
Hail and insurance
Hail-dented gutters are often the first visible sign of a storm that also damaged the roof. If a covered storm damaged your gutters, you file the claim with your insurance company and pay your own deductible. We document the damage, provide the estimate and work with your adjuster. Be wary of anyone who offers to waive or cover your deductible.
How it works
- Book your free estimate. Call 913-398-5020 or request a free estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. We measure each run, check the fascia and roof edge, plan the downspouts and give you a written estimate that lists size, material and color.
- Your gutters go up and the site gets cleaned up. Old gutters, scraps and fasteners leave with the crew.
Seamless gutter questions
Are seamless gutters really seamless?
Along each straight run, yes. Corners, end caps and downspout outlets are still joints, but there are far fewer of them than on a sectional system.
Do seamless aluminum gutters dent in hail?
Large hail can dent them. Small dents are usually cosmetic. Dents that hold water or crushed downspouts affect drainage and are worth fixing.
Can seamless gutters go on an older home?
Yes. Older homes often need some fascia work first, and the gutters are formed to the exact lengths of the existing walls.
Do you replace fascia boards in Shawnee?
Yes. APC works on fascia and soffits, so rotted boards can be replaced before the new gutters go up.
Gutters you don’t have to caulk every spring
Call 913-398-5020 or book your free estimate online. You’ll get gutters made to the length of your walls and hung on solid wood, and rainwater will run off the roof and away from your house without dripping from every joint along the way. See all of our gutter services in Shawnee.
