Gutters can often be overlooked, since changing your gutters is not as exciting as getting new siding or new windows.
However, it is important to think seriously about your gutters because gutters are connected to many parts of the home, and preventing damage to your gutters will go a long way in reducing harm to your roof and siding.
Vinyl gutters is a preferred option for those looking for a very affordable gutter material. Another
reason people may choose vinyl is because it is well suited for DIY installation.
If you are ready to install new gutters, contact your local pros for FREE ESTIMATES!
Average Cost of Vinyl Gutters
On average, homeowners spend $900 to install 100 linear feet of seamless vinyl gutters. The cost can range between $800 and $1,200 on average.
Vinyl gutters cost only $3 per linear foot, and as such are the most affordable gutter option on the market.
In comparison, aluminum gutters cost around $3,000 to install, and wood gutters cost about $4,500.
| Vinyl Gutters Average Cost | $900 |
|---|---|
| Minimum Average Cost | $800 |
| Maximum Average Cost | $1,200 |
| Cost per Linear Foot | $3 |
Installation Cost of Vinyl Gutters
One advantage of vinyl gutters is that they are incredibly easy to install, which makes it well-suited for a DIY project or quick work from a professional.
If you hire a contractor to install your gutters, expect to be charged approximately $2 per linear foot for installing vinyl gutters.
This is one of the lowest labor costs for installing gutters—other types of gutters are more costly to install.
For a 150 linear foot project, expect to pay around $300 for labor. In comparison, installing a gutter system made from aluminum costs over $1,000.
You can use our Gutters Cost Calculator to estimate the price of installing various popular gutter materials.
Vinyl Gutters Cost Breakdown
There are several factors you need to consider when budgeting for vinyl gutters. First, you will need to pay for materials. Material costs will vary depending on the size of your home, and the type of gutter you choose to install.
Expect to pay around $3 per linear foot for materials.
You will also need to purchase downspouts and downspout accessories. A single downspout costs approximately $10, and for a 150 linear-foot area you will want around four downspouts, costing $40.
Downspout accessories are an additional cost you must consider. For each downspout, you will need to purchase anchors, hardware, three ells, and one splash block, which will cost around $40 per downspout.
In total, for a 150 linear foot gutter system, expect to pay $160 for downspout accessories
You should also consider the cost of removing and disposing of the old gutters. Per cubic yard, expect to pay around $45 to transport and dispose of the old gutter system. For 150 linear feet of gutter, anticipate paying $135 in removal and disposal costs.
Finally, be sure to factor in the cost of labor. The price of labor will vary depending on the experience of the contractor you hire, as well as your location and other factors.
Anticipate paying approximately $2 per linear foot for installation, which totals to $300 for labor costs.
The table below outlines the price breakdown of purchasing vinyl gutters for a 150 linear foot gutter system.
| Item | Unit Cost | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Gutter Materials | $3 | $450 |
| Downspouts | $10 | $40 |
| Downspout Accessories | $40 | $160 |
| Removal and Disposal | $45 | $135 |
| Labor | $2 | $300 |
| Total | $1,085 |
Top Vinyl Gutter Brands
The most easily accessible vinyl gutter brands are Amerimax and Genova, both available
through major home improvement stores.
You can also purchase vinyl gutters through your specific contractor. This is likely the most price-efficient option, as contractors frequently receive steep discounts on the products that they provide.
Amerimax Vinyl Gutters
Amerimax vinyl gutters are available through both Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Ace Hardware, making it one of the most easy to access vinyl gutters on the market.
Home Depot and Lowe’s carry all parts of the gutter system, including the gutter itself, downspouts, joiners, end caps, elbows, and more.
Amerimax is a great brand to choose if you are looking for a widely accessible vinyl product, especially for DIY installation.
A five inch by ten foot gutter section costs $5.38 from Home Depot, and equivalent prices from Lowe’s and Ace Hardware.
Amerimax gutters are offered in white, grey, and brown, but other pieces such as elbows and downspouts are only offered in white.
Genova Vinyl Gutters
Genova vinyl gutters are available at Ace Hardware and some other suppliers, making it a slightly less accessible option than Amerimax vinyl gutters.
Ace Hardware carries a ten foot long Genova gutter, only in white. The Geneva gutter offered through Ace Hardware is much more expensive than Amerimax gutters, costing $8.59 per piece.
Ace Hardware also carries some other parts, including corners and tube straps.
Cost of Vinyl Gutters vs. Other Gutter Types
One major decision to consider is which type of gutter material to choose. There are
many gutter materials on the market, including wood, steel, and aluminum, in addition to vinyl.
Vinyl gutters are the most affordable gutter type on the market. With a cost per linear foot of only $3, vinyl’s affordability is unbeatable.
The low cost does come with some downsides, though, like a short lifespan and low durability.
Aluminum gutters, in contrast, cost between $6 and $12 per linear foot depending on whether the gutters are seamed or seamless, among other factors.
You can also purchase galvanized steel gutters or stainless steel gutters. Stainless steel gutters cost $15 per linear foot, whereas galvanized steel gutters cost around $5 per linear foot.
Wood gutters are an even more expensive option, costing between $20 and $30 per linear foot. While wood gutters are favored for their antique charm, wood is susceptible to damage and
requires extensive upkeep.
The most expensive gutter material option is copper. Copper gutters cost between $25 and $40 per square foot, and are a beautiful, durable option for those who can afford them.
The table below summarizes gutter prices per linear foot for different types of popular gutter materials.
| Gutter Material | Cost per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Vinyl gutters | $3 |
| Galvanized steel gutters | $5 |
| Aluminum gutters | $6 – $12 |
| Stainless steel gutters | $15 |
| Wood gutters | $20 – $30 |
| Copper gutters | $25 -$40 |
Vinyl vs. Aluminum Gutters
Aluminum gutters, like vinyl gutters, are rust-resistant, low-maintenance, and lightweight.
Overall, aluminum has some major advantages over vinyl gutters, which is why most contractors recommend aluminum gutters over vinyl ones.
For one, aluminum gutters are offered in a range of color options, whereas vinyl is generally offered in just two colors.
Also, aluminum gutters have a much longer lifespan than vinyl gutters, and are more durable.
In terms of weather resistance, aluminum gutters will protect your house in any inclement weather, including heavy rains and snow storms.
Vinyl gutters on the other hand, don’t stand up well to such weather conditions, and can actually collapse during a heavy down pour, snow or ice dams. This is a major reason why, contractors don’t recommend vinyl gutters in the Northeast, where fall and winter months have severe weather.
While vinyl gutters are often favored for their lightweight nature, aluminum gutters are actually more lightweight than vinyl.
However, aluminum gutters are more expensive, costing between $6 to $12 per linear foot compared to vinyl’s cost of $3 per linear foot.
One of the biggest advantages of aluminum gutters is that they are seamless as opposed to sectional, the way vinyl gutters are.
This makes aluminum gutters a lot more attractive and enables them to boost the curb appeal of your house, since there are very few visible seams.
Vinyl vs. Copper Gutters
Vinyl and copper gutters are on opposite ends of the spectrum. While vinyl gutters cost only $3 per linear foot, copper gutters cost between $25 and $40 per linear foot, making copper
the most pricey gutter option.
Copper is favored because of its durability, aesthetic appeal and long lifespan. With the proper care and maintenance, copper gutters can last as long as a century, compared to vinyl gutters which last a
tenth of that.
Aesthetically, copper gutters are highly attractive. In addition to the rich color when first installed, copper gutters develop a unique patina over time, which many homeowners find incredibly appealing.
Vinyl, on the other hand, has a largely limited aesthetic range.
Vinyl vs. Steel Gutters
Steel gutters are not a very popular gutter choice, because of their high cost and heavy weight that make steel susceptible to sagging.
Galvanized steel and stainless steel are both available, but you will likely have to seek out specific manufacturers or suppliers to purchase steel gutters.
Steel gutters are a very durable material, so they are sometimes preferred over other more lightweight options like vinyl.
Galvanized gutters cost around $5 per linear foot, whereas stainless steel gutters are more expensive, costing $15 per linear foot.
Vinyl vs. Wood Gutters
Wood gutters, like vinyl gutters, are not frequently recommended by contractors. Wood is susceptible to water damage such as mold growth or rot.
Typically, you will want wood gutters only if you have a historic home and are doing restoration work to maintain its authentic appearance.
To maintain wood gutters, extensive care is required, such as frequent staining or painting.
Unlike vinyl gutters, which are an affordable option, wood gutters are expensive, costing between $20 and $30 per linear foot.
Cost Of Vinyl Gutter Repairs
If you notice damage to your gutters, such as warping or cracking, it is important to repair the vinyl gutters as soon as possible to prevent the issues from worsening or spreading.
The cost of repairs will vary depending on the extent of the damage. If you need to have a section of gutter or downspout replaced, expect to pay $200-300. More extensive damage will cost more, whereas minor fixes will be less expensive.
If you notice widespread issues with your gutters, such as leaks in multiple places, you will likely want to consider replacing your vinyl gutters rather than repairing them.
This is especially true if your gutters are older, nearing the ten-year mark. Newer gutters may be worth
the investment, but repairing old gutters is unhelpful in the long run since you will need to
replace them soon regardless.
Where Can I Buy Vinyl Gutters?
Vinyl gutters are available in major home improvement stores such as Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Ace Hardware.
You can also purchase vinyl gutters online through Amazon and other suppliers, making it easy for the DIY-er to get vinyl gutters without a supplier.
If you are going through a contractor, you will be able to purchase vinyl gutters through them, and likely receive a steep discount from the cost of gutters if you bought them directly from stores.
How Long Do Vinyl Gutters Last?
One of the disadvantages of vinyl gutters is the very short lifespan associated with the material. Vinyl gutters last only a decade on average.
In contrast, a gutter material such as aluminum can last twice to three times as long as vinyl gutters, and copper gutters can last ten times as long as vinyl.
In areas with mild temperatures and rare extreme weather, vinyl gutters can last longer. Some even last up to twenty years, but this is uncommon.
Vinyl Gutter Maintenance
One of the positives of vinyl gutters is that they are a relatively low maintenance option.
Vinyl is not susceptible to rust, so you do not have to worry about rust prevention in the way that
you do with some metal gutters.
There is some routine maintenance that should be done to prolong the lifespan of the gutters as much as possible.
First, you should clean your vinyl gutters at least two to three times per year. If you live in a wooded area and nearby trees deposit leaves and debris into the gutters, you will likely benefit from more frequent cleaning.
Gutter cleaning can be done by hiring a professional, or on your own using ladders and brushes. Hiring a professional to clean your gutter will cost between $100 and $200.
It is also important to regularly inspect your gutters—around twice per year—for any leaks and cracks. Catching issues early on might help you mitigate severe damage.
Can Vinyl Gutters Be Installed DIY?
Of all gutter materials, vinyl is most well-suited for a DIY project. Vinyl is lightweight, making it easier to maneuver during installation.
Also, vinyl is an easy material to cut and drill, unlike its metal counterparts, which simplifies installation.
If you have a good set of tools and some experience with home improvement projects, installing vinyl gutters may be doable and will save you lots of money.
However, there are some downsides to installing vinyl gutters on your own.
For one, any mistakes made during installation and any imperfections will decrease the curb value of your home, which is an important consideration if you are planning on selling your home in the foreseeable future.
Are There Seamless Vinyl Gutters?
One of the reasons why some homeowners are turned off by vinyl gutters despite their budget friendly cost, is because they are only available as sectional gutters, as opposed to seamless gutters.
The difference is that seamless gutters can be cut to your house specifications, creating a much more seamless and beautiful look. On the other hand, sectional gutters, such as vinyl have very visible seams that often look ugly.
This can be a particular issue with a DIY install of vinyl gutters, when you may not have enough skills to merge the seams together in a perfect way.
Pros and Cons of Vinyl Gutters
While vinyl gutters do have their appeal for some, they are not frequently recommended by contractors. Most contractors agree that materials such as aluminum or copper are more reliable options for gutter systems.
However, for those on a very constrained budget or for DIY-ers, vinyl might be the only feasible option.
Pros:
●Cheap: Vinyl gutters are an affordable gutter option, and cost significantly less than other options on the market. Per linear foot, vinyl gutters cost only $3.
●Low maintenance: Unlike gutter materials such as wood, vinyl requires very little
upkeep. You will not need to paint your gutters or apply an anti-rust coating, as vinyl is naturally not susceptible to rust.
●Lightweight: You will probably not need to reinforce anything in order to hold the weight of vinyl gutters, unlike some other gutter options.
●Easy installation: Vinyl gutters are lightweight, making them easy to install, especially for DIY-ers. Also, vinyl is an easy material to cut and drill, simplifying the installation
process.
Cons:
● Short lifespan: Vinyl gutters do not last a long time, unlike other choices like copper which can last many decades.
● Vulnerability to extreme temperatures: Vinyl does not hold up well with extreme temperatures. In the heat, vinyl often warps or sags, whereas in cold temperatures vinyl becomes extremely brittle.
● Weak seams: Vinyl gutters are always built with seams, which adds a degree of weakness not present in seamless gutters of other materials. If the weight load in the vinyl gutters is too heavy, the seams will slowly pull apart, which causes leaks and drips.
● Structural weakness: Unlike other gutter materials, vinyl cannot support heavy loads over a long period of time. If you frequently experience heavy rainfalls or snow, the burden on
the gutters may be too great and you may experience damage.
● Limited color selection: Vinyl gutters are only available in white or brown. You may be able to find some other color choices for vinyl gutters, but at a steep price. On the other hand, aluminum gutters are available in a range of options to match your home exterior.
● Environmentally questionable: Some scientists believe that vinyl may infuse the water
with harmful chemicals, which could be potentially incredibly damaging to local wildlife and plants.
Also, PVC is not biodegradable, meaning that once your vinyl gutters are removed from your home they will sit in a landfill forever.
