Vinyl vs Aluminum Eavestrough

Water damage is one of the most common elements in degrading the strength and beauty of your house. Eavestrough or roof gutters are responsible to save your house and roof from these damages. Without proper eavestrough or roof gutters, rainwater or melting snow will weaken the foundation of your house, damage the landscapes of your house, rot the windows and doors, and also lead to leaks in the roof itself.

According to roofing experts in Calgary "Akron Roofing" There are many materials in the market that are used to make eavestrough such as steel, copper, galvalume, uPVC or vinyl, and aluminum. Some are better at performing their function than others. Vinyl and aluminum are the most commonly used eavestrough material of all.

Despite having surface-level similarities, vinyl and aluminum have very different performances. However, the surface level similarities may make you confused about which can be a better choice for your roof. To get you out of this trouble, here is an in-depth comparison of vinyl and aluminum as an eavestrough material.

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Vinyl Vs Aluminum, Which Is Better?

Aluminum eavestrough or roof gutters are gutters made of lightweight aluminum metal while vinyl eavestroughs are gutters made of lightweight plastic material, some might also know them as PVC or plastic gutters. They are popular in the DIY market because of their support for snap-together installation methods.

Whether you choose vinyl or aluminum as the material for your roof’s eavestrough, it should be based on properties you value and in line with the unique demands of your house and the climate you live in. For most homes in Calgary, aluminum sets are better as an eavestrough material.

Some of the factors that you can consider while choosing between vinyl and aluminum are;

Ease Of Installation

Vinyl has a do-it-yourself installation capacity by snapping together but it is still more tricky to install as compared to aluminum gutters as they have a lot of seams to be attached. Thus it can be difficult to deal with even for an experienced DIY hobbyist as well and it takes a lot of time too.

Aluminum gutters are as lightweight as vinyl but have very few seams, some are even seamless, making them easy to install. Most of the professionals in the market are aluminum gutter experts so you can find a professional to handle your project.

Performance

A vinyl eavestrough is usually not functional in areas receiving heavy rains, storms, winds, or snow owing to its lightweight nature. They perform better in dry and hot environments. They can resist rust but can sag and break under the immense pressure of heavy precipitation. While aluminum gutters are more resistant to being seamless. They are less likely to leak. Vinyl is available in sections, only increasing the chances of leaking.

Aluminum gutters are better resistant to extreme weather conditions. The metal can resist itself but thick pipes can last for a long time. You can even paint aluminum pipes to increase their lifespan.

So, considering their resistance and ability to last long, aluminum pipes can perform best for decades with slight regular maintenance activities. They can even hold water better than vinyl. As far as performance in more intense situations is concerned aluminum easily outclass vinyl eavestroughs.

Durability

Comparing any construction material, may it be vinyl and aluminum for the eavestrough, the most important factor to consider is the durability of the materials being compared. Aluminum gutters offer outstanding durability for the price they come for. Normally, aluminum gutters can last for more than two decades as they rarely break, bend, or rust in any climate. Aluminum can also withstand snow and ice making them perfect for harsh climates. However, high moisture or salt can cause the rusting of aluminum quickly.

Vinyl also shows resistance to rust and corrosion but the extreme climate can cause vinyl to brittle and crack, making it feature low durability. It can bend in winter causing a frequent need for replacement.

Cost Of The Material

Most people look for cost-effective materials for their homes. Aluminum and vinyl are relatively less costly than other eavestrough materials like steel. Buying vinyl might first look effective but long-term maintenance, durability, and performance comparison surely takes the aluminum side. Although aluminum costs some fractions more than vinyl, it will surely save a lot of money on maintenance and replacements in the future.