Just what are copper gutters?
Well, to say it quite bluntly, they are simply gutters that go around your home and the material used as the gutter and throughout the system itself is copper. I know, sounds kind of stupid but as Forest says, “stupid is as stupid does“. All kidding aside, it’s not a manufacturer or company or anything like that, it’s the actual material. There’s a lot of hype around it from time to time and it would probably be pretty easy to get confused.

Do copper rain gutters come in different sizes and shapes?
Absolutely, you can get copper gutters in practically any size and shape that regular rain gutters are made. You can get the K-style or even half round copper gutters. For the typical K-style copper gutters you’ll most likely find them in either 5-inch or 6-inch widths. You can find larger copper k-style gutters in 7 and 8 inch widths and these are typically made with a heavier gauge/thickness of copper. What you’ll see is that for the most part to try and buy these and install them yourself they’ll come in either 10 foot or 20 foot sections.

Half Round Copper Rain Gutters

The half round copper gutters you can find from 4-inch all the way thru 8-inch as well and the same holds true here with the thickness per the size. One little interesting facet with half rounds is that you can pick these up with either a single or double bead. The double bead gutters are a wonderful alternative when their is no fascia to attach the gutter. Then you can use hangers mounted to the roof to kind of suspend the gutter. With the addition of the double-bead it gives the gutter some added strength to support the system and rainfall.

I’ve heard copper gutters turn green, do they?
For starters, these gutters are not your typical run of the mill gutters. In fact, copper rain gutters make a stylish impact on your home. Most gutter systems installed on homes these days are made to blend in and are typically painted the same color of the exterior fascia. Most of these gutter systems are made from alluminum or plastics and can handle the painting chore. If you want gutters that will not only standout but add that extra deminsion of style, touch and class to your homes exterior, than copper gutters would be the natural choice. If you’ve ever seen copper rain gutters installed somewhere, you have to admit they are stunning and really catch your eye. There’s no need for painting copper gutters and trying to hide them as the copper itself is simply beautiful and adds that special “I’m here” presence especially when the sun catches it.

As for whether or not they will turn green, they will. Copper naturally oxidizes with the onslaught of the elements over time. This can be slowed with some specialized sealing processes for them that will keep copper gutter systems looking copper. The greening is not actually called green, but patina. Personally I find copper gutters that have patina much more beautiful than those shiny brand new ones. I think it adds a look of old-world charm to any home or business. Especially on those older looking wood or stone homes where there’s some prosperous growth along the walls like climbing vines or ivy’s. Just too cool looking. If you are worried about the patina look, don’t, it won’t happen overnight. The patina look sometimes takes years to form and even longer if the protective sealant has been applied.

How much do copper rain gutters cost?
Don’t get me wrong, the actual cost of copper gutters are rather expensive. They’re expensive to make and a lot more labor intensive to install. But with all things, you kind of get what you pay for. If that’s the look that you are going for, most people don’t mind the extra added expense of obtaining them and having them installed as they see it as an investment in their home that will pay for itself overtime as they are stronger and last longer than most traditional gutter systems on the market. They are built to last. You can expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $20 per foot depending on what kind of style of copper guttering you choose. Keep in mind that they are typically sold in 10 ft./20 ft. sections so it sounds a lot better to say $10 – $20 per foot versus $100-$200 or $200-$400 per section. But again you have to take into account what they’d do for your home and the lifetime value they would be adding. I’d check around quite a bit as well as they are not indemnified from being on clearance somewhere or a special discount deal if you get them installed. There are multiple good companies all over the internet that specialize in copper gutters and installations.

Is installing copper gutters something I could do myself?
Well, yes and no. Personally, I wouldn’t know you from a whole in the wall and wouldn’t know anything about your abilities so you would have to consider that for yourself. I will say this though, it is very different installing copper gutters from regular plain old alluminum or plastic gutters. If you are comfortable standing on a ladder and soldering copper gutters and have some aptitude with DIY type projects it might be something that you could do. For most though, I’d say let the professionals take care of it. Copper is a soft metal that you can mess up the appearance of quickly. You paid a lot of very good and hard earned money for these gutters and you want them to really beautify your house, I wouldn’t take a chance messing that up and wasting that money. There are a lot of certified type people and companies that can do the job for you. Check around. Get references, look to see if they’ve done copper gutters before and see what they are going to charge you for your house. Base your decisions from that and go from there.

In Summary:
Probably the best thing about copper rain gutters is that they will last you practically forever. They won’t rot. They won’t rust. Copper can stand up to what mother nature has in store for it outside as your gutters. Because copper is soft metal, my opinion is to let the professionals handle the installation. They have to be soldered to make them semi-seamless so it will take a fairly skilled hand. Copper gutters are expensive but not astronomical compared to the worth you will get from them. If you’re looking to make an impression with your home or business, these gutters are the way to go.

Related posts:

1. Trap Rainwater Off Your Home with Copper Gutters
2. DIY Gutters and Downspouts