Little Bit of Green

Gutters can be costly to replace so you want to choose the right material for you.

Use a material that is the most durable for your climate; ultimately the longer your gutters last, the less environmental cost there will be in the product life cycle, from manufacturing to recycling.

The two most preferred materials are copper and aluminium. According to experts, aluminium gutters have big pluses as it will not rust. Copper guttering is sturdy and lasting, too, but they can cost three to four times as much as aluminium.

PVC gutters are less durable as they easily become brittle and cannot carry heavy loads of snow. And lets just say it is not a very green choice of guttering. The US government called PVC one of the most hazardous materials ever created as it poses a threat to human and environmental health throughout its life cycle. Harmful synthetic chemicals that can cause cancer and damage the immune and reproductive systems are released during PVC’s life cycle.

Although expensive, replacing your gutters gives you the chance to make use of the water collected from your roof. You can capture rainwater in a barrel at the bottom of your gutters and use it to water non-edible plants in your garden and around the house.

Keeping gutters clear will prevent damage to your home through flooding and overspill and proper maintenance will reduce the need for replacements.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!