Its very important to have gutters on a flat roof (if you don’t already have a drain somewhere in the middle of the roof).

If you don’t have quality gutters on your flat roof, overtime the rain water will damage your siding, windows and foundation. Therefore its critical to have gutters, and to make sure that they are appropriately sized.

A regular 5 inch aluminum seamless gutters are often not adequate (not big enough) for a flat roof, where most of the flat roof, where most of the rain water volume comes off on just one edge of the roof.

This can cause gutter overflow, clogging and premature failure.

If your gutters begin to overflow, its almost as if you don’t have a gutter, or worse. Because now all the water is coming off the roof in one spot, instead of being spread out along the entire edge of the roof.

For a flat roof, its ideal to use 6 inch deep seamless aluminum gutters. They have double water holding and drainage capacity, compared to a 5-inch K gutter system.

How Much Do Gutters Cost?

Installing 6 inch K gutters on your flat roof will cost about $20-25 per linear foot, depending on the job size. On most jobs its will not cost more than $1,000.

The price of your gutters will vary widely depending on a variety of factors, including gutter material, building height, and more.

To get the most accurate estimate of your project’s cost, be sure to get quotes from several contractors before settling on one to complete your gutter installation project.

Gutter Prices Breakdown For A Flat Roof

One of the major factors you will need to consider when determining the cost of your gutter project is the cost of gutter installation.

It is possible to install gutters DIY, but done without the proper safety equipment and training it can be potentially dangerous, so unless you are a very experienced home improvement DIY-er gutter installation should be left up to the professionals.

Expect to pay about $10 per linear foot in installation costs. For very straightforward projects in low-cost regions, you may be able to pay as low as $6 per linear foot for installation.

If installation is particularly difficult and you live in a costly area, you may have to pay as much as $35 per linear foot to install your gutters.

On average, expect to pay around $2,000 for installing your total gutter project. This number is calculated for a home with a 200 linear foot gutter system.

Factors that affect the cost of installation include regional labor costs, as well as the pitch of your roof. It is more difficult to install a gutter system on a more steeply pitched roof, so it will cost more.

A gutter installer will be able to install 150 linear feet of gutter in around eight hours, so expect the project to take between one and three days, depending on your home size and gutter complexity.

Average Gutter Installation Cost per Linear Foot	$10
Gutter Installation Cost Range per Linear Foot	$6 – $35
Average Total Gutter Installation Cost	$2,000

Cost Of Gutters Per Linear Foot

The price per linear foot of gutters varies widely, with most of the variation resulting from the material you choose for your gutters.

Costs range between $3 per linear foot for vinyl gutters and up to $40 per linear foot or more for copper gutters, with other gutter material types falling in between this range.

Contractors generally price the cost of your new gutter system per linear foot. Therefore, it is very important to take into consideration the linear footage of the parameters of your roof when calculating the cost of your gutter system.

Labor is also priced per linear foot, so it is one of the most important factors to consider.

On average, expect to pay $10 per linear foot for your gutter.

Average Gutter Cost Per Linear Foot	$10
Minimum and Maximum Gutter Cost per Linear Foot	$3 – $40 +

Factors That Affect the Cost of Gutters

When trying to estimate the cost of gutters, there are many different factors that come into play that you should be sure to consider.

Although this list can give you a broad sense of the price range of your gutter project, in order to get an accurate price estimate you will need to get quotes from several local contractors.

Location

The price of your gutters will vary depending on where you live. Although the material costs of the gutters will be the same across the country, labor costs vary widely.

Some regions, such as the Northeast and the West Coast, have much higher living costs, resulting in higher wages than other areas.

This means that the cost of labor when installing your gutters will be more than if you were living in a region with a low cost of living.

Gutter Material

The material type you choose for your gutter will impact the cost. Gutters come in several different material types: vinyl, aluminum, stainless steel, galvanized steel, and copper.

Vinyl gutters are the most affordable but the lowest quality, whereas copper gutters are very pricey and can last as long as a century.

Most buyers choose aluminum, which is a mid-range material that is strong and long-lasting.

Gutter Shape

Gutters come in three shapes: u-shaped, k-shaped, and box gutters. Box gutters are used almost exclusively in commercial building projects, as they hold the largest volume of water run off.

U-shaped gutters tend to be only used for copper gutters, as they provide a unique look that is associated with copper gutters.

Most standard residential gutters use k-shaped gutters.

Gutter Type

There are two types of gutters: seamless gutters and sectional gutters.

As the name implies, seamless gutters are made from a singular piece of metal that is installed directly to your roof, and limits leakage.

Sectional gutters, on the other hand, are made from smaller sections of gutter that are then attached. They are more affordable but also more prone to leakage.

Extra Add-Ons

If you want any features of your gutter to be outside of the standard, such as the size or color, expect to pay premium prices.

Standard gutters are five and six inches long. While four inch and seven inch (as well as larger) gutters are available on the market, they will be more costly.

Materials like aluminum and vinyl can be painted, but they are usually offered in limited color selections such as white, grey, or beige.

If you want any color outside the norm, in order to match with your trim or other features of the home, you will need to pay extra.

There are many add-ons you can purchase, all of which increase the cost of your gutters. Some popular options include rain barrels and chains, splash blocks, and downspout extensions.

Gutter Removal and Disposal

Be sure to factor in the cost of removing and disposing of your old gutters.

While this can be done DIY, a less experienced person may cause damage along the roofing where they remove the gutters, so gutter removal is best left up to the professionals.

You will also need to pay a fee to dispose of your old gutters, which varies by region.

Home Size

The linear footage around the circumference of your home will impact the cost of your new gutters.

Gutters are priced per linear foot, so it will cost more both in terms of labor and materials if you have a larger home.

Also, larger homes have a larger drainage area, which requires more downspouts, increasing the cost of the gutter project.

Home Height

Installing gutters on single story homes will cost less than installing gutters on multiple story homes, all other factors being equal.

That is because single-story homes require very minimal safety equipment when installing gutters, whereas multi story homes will require costly safety equipment in order to install the gutters without risk of harm for the laborers.

For a single story home, you can anticipate paying as little as $1,200 for your new gutter system. For a multi-story home, the cost will be around $2,000.

Home Type	Average Cost
Single Story	$1,200
Multi Story	$2,000

Which Gutter Material Should I Choose?

There are several gutter material choices on the market, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. Be sure to carefully consider the material of your new gutter system as it will have a large impact on performance, durability, and lifespan.

Although there are many material choices, most contractors agree that aluminum is the most favorable option because of its many appealing factors such as durability and longevity.

The table below outlines the average cost per linear foot depending on the type of gutter material you choose.

As the table indicates, vinyl is by far the most affordable option, whereas copper is the most expensive choice.

Gutter Material	Average Cost per Linear Foot
Vinyl Gutters	$3
Aluminum Gutters	$6 – $12
Galvanized Steel Gutters	$5
Stainless Steel Gutters	$15
Wood Gutters	$20 – $30
Copper Gutters	$25 – $40 +

Vinyl Gutters

The cheapest type of gutter system is made from vinyl. While vinyl is affordable, it is a lower quality building material than other options and is less durable than its peer gutter materials.

Vinyl gutters cost about $3 per linear foot, making it a very affordable option.

Aluminum Gutters

Aluminum gutters cost an average of $6 to $12 per linear foot. Aluminum is the preferred material for residential gutter systems, because it is durable, lightweight, long-lasting, as well as reasonably affordable.

One of the benefits of aluminum gutters is that they are low maintenance, unlike other options like wood, and they are not prone to damage, including rust.

With aluminum gutters, you can trust you will be getting a high performance product for a low cost.

Galvanized and Steel Gutters

Galvanized steel gutters are a popular choice for commercial projects because it is an extremely strong, durable material and can withstand extensive water flow.

One downside of galvanized steel gutters is that the material is very heavy, so the roof may require special reinforcements in order to hold the weight of a galvanized steel gutter.

Galvanized steel costs only $5 per linear foot.

Stainless steel, although it has many of the same properties of galvanized steel, is a less popular material choice. That is because stainless steel costs an average of $15 per linear foot, which is much more than galvanized steel costs.

Copper Gutters

Gutters made of copper are a popular choice for those who can afford them because of their beauty and durability.

Copper develops a lovely patina over time, and it is an appealing gutter choice, especially for older classic-style homes.

One of the biggest benefits of copper is that its an incredibly durable gutter material option.

Moreover, copper gutters can last as long as a century if they are well maintained.

On the down side, copper is the most expensive gutter material option available, ranging in price between $25 to $40 or more per linear foot.

Seamless vs. Sectional Gutters

Gutters are available in two primary constructions: seamless and sectional gutters.

Seamless gutters are made from one single piece of gutter that is installed to the roofing, whereas sectional gutters are made from several gutter pieces that are then joined.

Sectional gutters come in five to twenty foot long sections of gutter. Most homeowners purchase ten foot long pieces of sectional gutter, unless the home is extra small or extra large. These gutters cost between $4 and $9 per linear foot.

The pieces of the sectional gutter are joined together on-site and caulked to prevent leaks.

Over time, though, sectional gutters are prone to leakage, which can cause damage to the roof and siding as well as the gutter system.

Seamless gutters are cut on-site to fit perfectly into your roof system. The gutter installer will measure your roofing section and fit the seamless gutter into it perfectly.

Gutters without seams are generally considered preferable over sectional gutters. Seamless gutters are much less prone to leakage and damage associated with leaks.

That is because the only weak points are seams by the downspouts, whereas sectional gutters have many more weak points.

Seamless gutters cost an average of $6 to $14 per linear foot.

Gutter Type	Gutter Cost Per Linear Foot
Sectional Gutters	$4 – $9
Seamless Gutters	$6 – $14

Commercial vs. Residential Gutters

One key differentiation between gutters is whether it is a commercial gutter system or a residential gutter system.

Unless in unique circumstances, you should install a commercial gutter system for a standard commercial building and a residential gutter system for a standard home.

Commercial gutters are designed for large buildings such as offices, stores, and apartment complexes.

These buildings typically have large, flat roofs which accumulate significant amounts of water during rainfall. Commercial gutters are designed to accommodate that increased water flow with the increased gutter volume.

Residential gutters, on the other hand, are designed for sloped roofs that receive less runoff than larger commercial buildings.

Because residential roofs are less durable, residential gutters are typically made from aluminum or vinyl, unlike commercial gutters which are often made from steel, which is stronger but heavier.

Cost of Downspouts and Other Gutter Features

One of the factors that will impact the cost of your gutters is how many downspouts you install. More downspouts means the water will drain faster and easier.

Although it will cost more to install more downspouts, the proper quantity of downspouts helps prevent issues down the line.

Downspouts cost between $2 and $25 per linear foot, depending on the type of material. For an aluminum downspout, expect to pay an average of $5 per linear foot.

Flashing helps maintain water proofing, and prevent water from entering joints or seams of the roof. Be sure to discuss with your contractor whether flashing is necessary. Expect to pay between $2.50 and $30 per flashing.

Splash guards are another feature you may decide to include in your gutter system. Splash guards help keep the water inside the gutter system during heavy rains and prevent damage to the building.

Installing flash guards will cost you $8 per splash guard.

You will also need to consider the cost of elbows, which are necessary at each corner of the home. Elbows range in cost between $4 and $50.

Feature	Vinyl	Aluminum	Steel	Copper
Downspout	$2 – $4 per linear foot	$3 – $6 per linear foot	$4 – $5 per linear foot	$10 – $25 per linear foot
Flashing	$2.50 – $4.50 each	$1 – $5 each	$3.50 – $7 each	$6 – $30 each
Splash Guard	$8 each	$8 each	$8 each	$8 each
Elbow	$4 each	$8each	$7 each	$20 – $50 each

ROI of New Gutters

Installing gutters is an excellent way to add value to your home, if you are considering putting your home on the market in the near future.

New gutters have an average return on investment (ROI) of 85%, which is one of the highest ROIs for home improvement projects.

This means that if you update your gutters, you will receive back as much as 85% of the cost you paid to install new gutters in the increased selling price of your home.

Good quality gutters are an excellent investment because they are so interconnected with the other parts of your home.

By installing new gutters, you can prevent damage to your roofing, siding, and interior home structure, all while making your home look fresh and new.