As soon as we started our exterior trim makeover, we knew the gutters had to go. It was not even a discussion really. (They were purple? I don't even know how!) The old gutters were pulled down during the trim painting, and we worked with our contractors Kennon Construction to order the new copper gutters.
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The gutters were supposed to come in and get installed around the 4th of July, but they took an extra two months to come in. Cue a slew of rainy days with no gutters...whyyyy. But once the materials came in last week, the contractors were done installing everything in four days, including the gutters, copper gutter guards, all of the flashing, and a chimney cap. It was kind of wild — the team was shaping them and cutting the flashing in the driveway, right on-site! They also installed a copper grate over the gutters as a gutter guard, which will help us not have to clean them frequently.
I've been sharing some sneak peeks in Stories, and I've been getting tons of messages asking about them, so I thought I'd spill all the tea today and show the final reveal!
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The main reason we chose copper gutters is the look. They’re just captivating, aren’t they? Copper gutters fit right into the moody, modern, traditional look we’re creating in our home. But the other reason to choose copper gutters is their long lifespan.
Vinyl is the cheapest, but those gutters get worn down by UV rays, becoming brittle and cracking over time. They only last around 10-15 years. Aluminum is the most popular kind — it holds up a little better to normal conditions except for hail and ice, which can damage them. You typically need to replace them every 20 years. Stainless steel can withstand even more snow and strong winds, but the coatings can eventually fail causing rust to set in. They last between 20-40 years.
And then there’s copper. Copper gutters are more resistant to corrosion and damage and can last up to 100 years. (There are faux copper gutters designed to mimic the look. They are coated with a finish that looks like new or aged copper but they’re crafted from aluminum, steel, or vinyl.)
The primary drawback is the cost, but you do get a much longer lifespan out of them, so keep that in mind! You may have to ask your HOA if they approve of the look. You'll also need to decide on the shape — either a square shape or a barrel shape. I really wanted the barrel shape — it has a beautiful look to it. Our contractors warned us that because rain can be heavy here and the barrel shape has less capacity, it can cause overflow. We compromised on installing the squared-off gutters near the roofline, and the downspouts are the barrel-shaped pretty ones. Those are the ones you really see, so it works for me!
One big consideration is that copper gutters will naturally develop patina over time due to exposure to oxygen, moisture, and humidity. Some people like the patina, and some people want to keep it shiny. So if you like them closer to a penny, you’re going to have to put on a protective coating on or clean them by sanding or using a tarnish remover. When we were first getting quotes for the copper gutters, I told one guy that I’d like them to patina a little and then stop the process. And he said, “We can’t do that.” And I said, “Well, I’ll have to find someone that can!”
In Idaho we had copper gutters and after a couple of years, they honestly had only a little bit of patina. They still were very very copper. Here in North Carolina with all the rain and humidity, I know they’re going to develop patina a lot faster. They’ll go darker and darker, and then they’ll just go green (or the fancier official term, verdigris). Which is not really my vibe! My goal is to stop the oxidation process in a little bit. So standby to see if I can accomplish this with an antioxidant coating! There is a product called Everbrite Protective Coating - it’s an extensive process, but I think it might work.
We paid $32,000 all-in for materials (including the gutters, downspouts, grid guards, flashing, and chimney cap) and labor. That comes out to about $40 per linear foot. We chose seamless gutters, which are generally more durable but need to be built on-site adding to cost. You can get sectional copper gutters, which will help save on costs because they’re easier to install, but they can be more susceptible to sagging and leaking over the years. Lots to consider!
It feels like our house gained decades of tradition and history overnight — and will last for decades more! The copper gutters are the perfect crowning jewel framing our home. I just couldn’t love them more!
Gorgeous! You are absolutely right, the copper gutters are the crowning jewel. Everything ties in with the brick and color of the new paint.
I am so grateful for your willingness to be transparent with your home upgrades. I just got a similar bid for copper gutters. They are so beautiful. Well done all of you!
The copper gutters are exquisite in design and appearance. They look beautiful on your house.
Can the Everbrite Protective Coating work for unlacquered brass door knobs? I love the look of a little patina but not all the way.
We haven't tried it!
Beauty! My only question how long will you stay in this casa before you move again?
We have no plans to move. :)
The latest issue of Southern Living arrived yesterday, and I saw that the Idea House on the cover also has gorgeous copper gutters. I wouldn’t have noticed them had I not just read about your experience. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
I want to see a side by side of the house when you bought it to now. To show off the landscaping and the windows/gutters etc. I think it would be so pretty to compare!
We did faux copper aluminum gutters at our last house and we loved them. They were a great look for the cost. I’d have loved real copper but the price of the house couldn’t justify the price of copper gutters so faux was a nice compromise.
When I was young, we used to drive around Virginia Manor in Mt. Lebanon (A very upscale suberb in Pittsburgh) looking at houses, especially at Christmas to look at lights. I’ve always loved seeing the homes
with copper gutters and downspouts. Absolutely stunning addition to your home. 🤎
Are you at all concerned about theft". In the northeast it I not unheard of for copper gutters to be stolen!
Not where we live, but that is unfortunate!
I live in a historic neighorhood in the northeast and love copper gutters. They'd add a lot to the curb appeal of our house. BUT copper theft is a big issue regionally.
They are absolutely stunning and I feel your description of crowning jewel is spot on!
Thank you for all your inspiration!
Everbrite might work! I’m a jeweler and make fire-painted copper leaf earrings in the fall, which are all different colors. Fire painting is a type of oxidation with a torch flame. I just have to remove any oils with rubbing alcohol and dip them in Everbrite to hold the patina. That stuff is magic! Good luck.
I was inspired by the copper gutters of your previous home and we had them installed here in 2021. We only did the front of the house to save money. Obviously the cost of everything has risen in the last three years, but our seamless copper gutters in only the front (a 2700 ft two story colonial) cost $7000 here in metro Detroit.
Now 3 years later, the copper is already very dark. I'm wondering if you know of a good DIY friendly product or process to remove 'just a little' of the patina and then freeze it like you describe. I don't like the loud brand new copper look but I do want some of it to be visible!
Hi Sandra - I’m also in Metro-Detroit and hoping to do this. Would you recommend your contractor?
I would! We used Great Lakes Gutters and they have a very well run system. Super communicative, which I really appreciated, stuck to deadlines, no hidden fees and no hard upsells. The guys that did the install were prompt, cleaned up after themselves better than any contractor I've seen, and were giving us zero-cost care tips for the copper and the old gutters that we left on the back to save money. They did turn dark in one season so if I could go back in time I'd probably treat with some kind of deterrent right away but that was my assumption they would age like other copper roof accents I see around the neighborhood which a) might not actually be real copper and b) don't have the purpose of literally holding large quantities of rainwater and thus exposed to less corrosion. Hope this helps!
So gorgeous!
And amazing to see people in the metro Detroit area - I’m across the border in Windsor and have original copper gutters that have been painted over (mind blowing, I know)! Looking to restore them - any recommendations on who might be able to help or what product to use?!?
Were any of the gutters custom fitted? Our home is a 1932 Georgian style home and we have our copper gutters that are “set in” to a custom box. I’m curious because of cost. Thank you!
No, these are just seamless copper gutters added all around the house.