If you’ve neglected cleaning your gutters for too long, or your home has recently been in a storm, you might need to replace them. This seems simple enough at first, but in reality, it is much more complicated. There are many different options for rain gutters. Perhaps most important of all is the material they’re made from. For homeowners who just don’t know where to start, here’s how to choose rain gutters based on the material.

Aluminum
This is a rust free, inexpensive, and lightweight option. Aluminum gutters are the most popular option on the market, mostly because they are fairly easy to find and install, and they are in the middle of the pack in terms of quality and durability. However, since they are so lightweight, and aluminum is so flexible, these positives can actually become negatives. Aluminum can bend with weight from heavy snow or icicles, potentially causing a lot of damage.

Vinyl
Vinyl gutters are an inexpensive option that will never rust. They also don’t need to be treated with anything to stay waterproof. In fact, you can actually DIY vinyl gutters due to the availability of the material and ease of use. The major problem is they tend to become brittle within a few years, especially in colder climates. The price tends to reflect this, as it’s quite low, but you certainly get what you pay for.

Copper
The biggest benefit of copper gutters is that they’ll never rust or need to be painted, and they can last 100 years no matter where you live. Since copper is sturdy and strong, the durability is better than any other option. Generally considered the best material to make gutters from, copper is not only resilient but adds an awesome aesthetic to the exterior of your home, not to mention an elevated resale value.

That said, there are some things to be aware of. Copper gutters are fairly pricey. As a result, they are sometimes stolen when installing on homes in a rougher neighborhood.

Whatever you pick for your new rain gutter system, remember how to choose rain gutters based on the material it’s made from. Once you know the different properties of each, the decision is entirely dependent on your personal preferences.