• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
genuine exteriors west texas

Genuine Exteriors

The Leader in West Texas Gutters

  • Call📱
  • Gutters
    • Gutter Calculator
    • Gutter Guards
    • Gutter Repairs
  • Windows
  • Locations
    • Amarillo
    • Brownfield
    • Denver City
    • Hobbs
    • Lovington
    • New Home
    • Seminole
    • Shallowater
    • Tatum
    • Wolfforth
  • About
    • Blog
    • Contact

Aluminum vs. Vinyl Gutters – What is the Best Choice For Your Home?

aluminum vs vinyl gutters

Should you have to install new gutters, you might wonder which is better – vinyl vs. aluminum gutters? If you live in Lubbock, Texas or nearby, you probably want to make sure you choose the best gutters for your home. But where should you start?

Like anything, both aluminum and vinyl gutters have their strengths and weaknesses, but by the end of this article, it will be apparent which option is better (here is a hint: it is Alumnim Gutters). However, do your due diligence and run through these considerations when deciding which gutter replacement material —vinyl vs. aluminum —are right for your home.

Aluminum vs. Vinyl Gutters – Pros, Cons, & 5 Factors to Know:

When purchasing anything new for your home’s exterior – be it windows, gutters, a new roof, or even patios – choosing the right material is essential. From durability to cost, there are several factors you need to keep in mind when you select a product for your home.

Not to be confused with vinyl and aluminum windows, your home’s rain gutters can actually vary in material as well. In fact, there are copper, steel, aluminum, and vinyl gutters, to name a few.

The most popular gutter material is aluminum, with vinyl gutters being the least popular. Unlike vinyl siding and vinyl window frames, vinyl gutters are very rarely used. Here are the quick pros and cons of each!

Quick Pros & Cons of Aluminum Gutters

k style gutters

Pros:

  • Durability
  • Seamless
  • Custom-fit to your home
  • Variety of colors
  • Easy cost estimation
  • Cost-effective

Cons:

  • Need a professional installation team
  • Maintenance and cleaning required
  • Can dent from hail or debris hitting

Quick Pros & Cons of Vinyl Gutters

vinyl gutters

Pros:

  • Cheap to purchase
  • Flexible, less rigid
  • Can DIY install

Cons:

  • Break and leak easily because of sun, branches
  • Fall off your home more often
  • They are not seamless (hence leaks)
  • Cost more in the long run due to constant issues

At this point, you should have enough ammo to make your decision with regard to which gutter you should pick. Just in case you are not sure which is the better option, below are five factors to help you pick the best gutter material for you!

1. Appearance and Aesthetics

gutters before and after

When comparing the two gutter types, you won’t notice much different aesthetics when working with your basic colors, such as white or eggshell. The only noticeable appearance difference would be seamless aluminum gutters vs. sectional vinyl gutters, which consist of sections. Additionally, aluminum rain gutters offer a tremendous variety in color selection. The top choice in most cases is going to be aluminum gutters!

2. Durability

The nod on durability goes to aluminum gutters. Unlike vinyl windows, where you can truly make a case, vinyl gutters are cheap. They crack because of the sun and have trouble withstanding heavy rains. When heavy rains occur, they are more inclined to pull away from your home.

Aluminum gutters are seamless and installed with hidden-screw hangers. The “K-style” gutters make them stronger. Thus they can handle heavier rains. Aluminum gutters come in all sizes, with the 5″ and 6″ varieties being the most popular (this includes in West Texas).

3. Installation

gutters

Some DIY projects are okay, and some are not. Typically, things like your roof replacement, gutters, deck, and windows should be reserved for professionals. The knock-on seamless aluminum rain gutters need to be installed correctly (duh) but by a professional since they are custom-fit. This shouldn’t be a knock but a significant factor in considering aluminum.

Vinyl gutters might allow someone to “Click and Install” themselves, but in the long term, that leads to more issues than it helps. From leaks to repairs, inevitably, vinyl gutters will not last. Thus, those who use vinyl gutters will install new aluminum gutters with a gutter contractor in a few years.

4. Maintenance and Cleaning

All gutters need cleaning if you don’t have gutter guards. Both vinyl and aluminum gutters need cleaning equally the same (the main factor is whether your home is in a wooded area or not). Most homeowners should check their gutters each fall to determine if they need to be cleaned.

However, vinyl gutters usually only accommodate a few varieties of gutter guards, including vinyl covers and foam gutters. On the other hand, aluminum gutter systems have countless gutter guard options. We don’t recommend installing gutter guards on vinyl gutters since they break so quickly. Keeping your gutters healthy and in tip-top shape is essential to keeping your home dry, and it saves you money in the long run!

5. Gutter Costs

Installation costs are not a huge factor when it comes to gutters. Most gutter companies will charge a price per linear foot that factors in both installation costs but also material costs. Going simply off material, vinyl gutters are less expensive at the point of purchase.

However, aluminum rain gutters should last a very long time when they are well maintained. Over time, aluminum gutters end up being cheaper because of their durability. Outfitting a home with new gutters usually ranges between $1,000 to $2,500 – depending on the linear feet of gutter needed.

To see how much new gutters will cost you, simply use our free gutter calculator tool here:

Send me my password
Your password has been sent by email
Make a payment
Total to pay :
$5
Powered by Stripe

Payment could not be made
Pay now

Use our Gutter Calculator!

Easily estimate the cost of what new gutters will cost for your home!

GET STARTED

0$

Thanks, we will contact you soon, if you have questions please feel free to reach out.

Choose Your Gutter Size

You need to select an item to continue
NEXT STEP

Pick Your Gutter Color

Pick a gutter color from the most popular colors below. For additional color selections, including premium colors, you can view them here. Please note that premium colors cost more per linear foot and your color selection availability depends on the manufacturer's supply. 
You need to select an item to continue
NEXT STEP
return to previous step

Pick Your Gutter Color

Pick a gutter color from the most popular colors below. For additional color selections, including premium colors, you can view them here. Please note that premium colors cost more per linear foot and your color selection availability depends on the manufacturer's supply. 
You need to select an item to continue
NEXT STEP
return to previous step

Pick Your Gutter Accessories

You need to select an item to continue
NEXT STEP
return to previous step

Estimate Total Footage

Estimate the linear distance in feet for your gutters and also your downspouts!

  1. You can use Google Maps to search for your home and use the measuring tool to measure your home, or simply use rough estimates (if the front of your home is 40' across and there is one long gutter, you can estimate that at 40').
  2. Downspouts are usually 13 feet for a one-story home and 23 feet for a two-story home. Count the number of downspouts you have in your home currently.

Remember, this is just an estimate; the final total will be calculated when our install team measures for materials.

You need to select an item to continue
NEXT STEP
return to previous step

Estimate Total Footage

Estimate the linear distance in feet for your gutters and also your downspouts!

  1. You can use Google Maps to search for your home and use the measuring tool to measure your home, or simply use rough estimates (if the front of your home is 40' across and there is one long gutter, you can estimate that at 40').
  2. Downspouts are usually 13 feet for a one-story home and 23 feet for a two-story home. Count the number of downspouts you have in your home currently.

Remember, this is just an estimate; the final total will be calculated when our install team measures for materials.

You need to select an item to continue
NEXT STEP
return to previous step

Would you like to add gutter protection?

You can select from one of two options for gutter protection, affordable OR self-cleaning (no maintenance required).

Estimate the total amount of gutters (do not include the downspouts). Remember, this is just an estimate; the final total will be calculated when our install team measures materials.

You need to select an item to continue
NEXT STEP
return to previous step

Final Cost

The final estimated price is :

Please note: We will try our best to accommodate your request for an install date, pending material availability. We will call you to finalize the dates and installation details. 
Disclosure: The price quoted above is an estimate based on the length of gutters you provided. This is not a final price; it is simply a rough estimate. This price is subject to change based on the contractor's actual measured total gutter length and does not include gutter elbows or tax. Additionally, installation timelines can be 10-14 business days for larger jobs or unique gutter color requests due to manufacturing material availability. Gutter colors other than black and white typically take two weeks to arrive. 

Summary

Description Information Quantity Price
Discount :
Total :
Order My Gutters!
return to previous step

The Final Word –

Ultimately, what you are going to find is that most gutter companies will NOT install vinyl gutters. If they come to your home and you have existing vinyl gutters, reputable contractors recommend replacing them instead of repairs.

Reading this article, you can see that we clearly give the nod to aluminum gutters. That said, there are instances where vinyl gutters can come in handy on things like a small shed or outdoor building.

To learn more about gutters, check out our gutter learning center here!

Category: Gutter Guards, Gutters, Home Improvement

About Stacy

Stacy and Peter have four amazing kids and love running their family-based exterior remodeling company together! Located in Lubbock, TX, Genuine Exteriors helps homeowners and commercial property owners with anything related to their exteriors!

Previous Post:how much should I spend on windowsPurchasing Windows: How Much Should I Spend on Windows for My House?
gutter guards

Let’s work together

Get in touch with us and send some basic info about your project.

Get in touch!

Social

Follow along on social media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Genuine Exteriors LLC BBB Business Review

Contact

Get in touch with us here:

Phone: 806-281-7715

Email: genuineexteriorsllc@gmail.com

Hours

M-F 8:00 – 5:00

Learning Center

Genuine Exteriors

Lubbock, Texas

Copyright © 2025 · Genuine Exteriors · All Rights Reserved · Powered by HFE

Return to top