Buy gutters and gutter caps that will last

Most gutters are made of vinyl, aluminum, galvanized steel or copper. Each type has its advantages and weaknesses. Consider price, look, durability and assembly required. Here is some information on each type of gutter to help:

• Multipiece aluminum, vinyl and steel gutters are the least expensive, and you can install them yourself.
• They are assembled from three-metre (10-foot) lengths of gutter and joined with fittings and caulk.
• Most metal types have a baked-on finish that resists corrosion. However, some cheaper lines suffer from leaky joints and look flimsy.
• If you opt for this type, look for heavier-gauge systems.

• At the high end of the price scale, these systems are top-of-the-line, custom-fitted on-site and are usually the strongest and most attractive.
• Left unpainted, copper weathers to a dull brown. Soldered galvanized steel gutters must be painted.

• Moderately priced "seamless" aluminum or steel gutters are formed on-site on a machine that moulds factory-coated sheet metal.
• Single sections can run almost any length, so the system has fewer joints. (It's not really seamless.)
• Fewer joints means fewer opportunities for leaks. Aluminum is more popular than steel because it won't rust. Steel is a bit sturdier, but aluminum is usually sturdy enough.

• If you have many large trees that lose their leaves in the fall, consider investing in gutter caps, especially for gutters that are hard to reach for cleaning.
• Gutter caps can minimize the time you spend cleaning gutters, and make gutters last much longer.
• The best caps completely cover the gutters with solid metal pieces that have slots just under the downslope edge.
• Debris washes over the caps and off the roof while surface tension draws the water into the gutters.
• Top-quality gutter caps can cost more than the gutters, but they make the gutters stronger and less likely to sag, prolonging their life substantially.