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Exterior guide

Gutters & drainage: how to choose

Plan a gutter and downspout system that handles roof runoff, directs water away from the foundation, and fits your maintenance needs.

Lifespan, DIY and permitsDIY: pro-only10 brands8 cost linesUpdated Nov 2026

Decide these first

  1. How much roof area drains to each gutter run, and how intense is local rainfall?
  2. Where will each downspout discharge water, and does that route drain safely?
  3. Do trees, snow, or roof debris make guards or more frequent cleaning worthwhile?
  4. Do you prefer low-cost sectional gutters or custom seamless installation?

Specs that actually matter

TermWhat it meansLook for
Gutter and downspout capacityThe system must collect roof runoff and move it away without overflowing or backing up.Size gutters and downspouts for roof area and local rainfall; confirm capacity with the installer.
Downspout discharge distanceThe outlet route keeps concentrated roof water from saturating soil beside the foundation.Discharge to sloping grade more than 5 ft away, or underground catchment more than 10 ft away.

Good, better, best

Good

Vinyl or aluminum sectional gutters can cover basic runoff needs at a lower upfront price; check joints and maintenance access.

$3–15/linear ft installed for common aluminum or vinyl ranges

Better

Seamless aluminum or galvanized steel reduces joints and offers a more tailored fit for many homes.

$5–20/linear ft installed for galvanized steel

Best

Copper, zinc, or custom fascia systems offer a premium finish and long service life when correctly installed.

$15–40/linear ft installed for copper

What it costs

ItemUnitTypical US rangeSource
Aluminum gutters
Angi 2026 gutter installation range per linear foot; style and site affect price.
linear ft$3 to $15Angi
Vinyl gutters
Angi 2026 gutter installation range per linear foot.
linear ft$3 to $7Angi
Galvanized gutters
Angi 2026 gutter installation range per linear foot.
linear ft$5 to $20Angi
Copper gutters
Angi 2026 gutter installation range per linear foot.
linear ft$15 to $40Angi
Vinyl or aluminum downspouts
Angi 2026 average downspout installation range per linear foot.
linear ft$5 to $8Angi
Steel downspouts
Angi 2026 average downspout installation range per linear foot.
linear ft$9 to $12Angi
Copper downspouts
Angi 2026 average downspout installation range per linear foot.
linear ft$17 to $20Angi
New whole-home gutter system
Fixr 2025 estimate based on about 200 linear ft; old-system removal is extra.
project$2,320 to $4,222Fixr

Calculators

Gutter size and downspouts

Pick 5 in or 6 in gutters and count downspouts.

Results

Major brands and where to buy

Links go to each manufacturer. Tier is a rough price position, not a quality score.

Retailers

Pitfalls to avoid

  • Leaving downspouts aimed at the foundation or connected to the foundation drain system.
  • Choosing gutter size without considering roof area, rainfall, and downspout placement.
  • Ignoring fascia rot or roof-edge repairs before installing a new gutter run.
  • Assuming gutter guards eliminate cleaning or inspections.
  • Comparing bids that omit old-gutter removal, downspouts, or extensions.

Questions to ask a pro

  1. How did you size the gutters and downspouts for my roof and local rainfall?
  2. Where will the downspouts discharge, and how will runoff stay away from the foundation?
  3. Does the quote include removal, fascia repairs, guards, and extensions?
  4. What maintenance and warranty terms apply to the gutter system?

How long it lasts

About 10–15 years for vinyl, around 25 years for aluminum, 15–20 for galvanized steel, and 50–100 for copper or zinc, depending on upkeep.

Can you DIY it?

pro-only: ladder work, roof access, and correct pitch create significant safety and drainage risks.

Permits

Rarely needed

Ready to hire?

Get up to 3 quotes from licensed, insured local pros.

Trusted resources

From the Journal

Sources

  1. https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-gutter-replacement-cost.htm
  2. https://www.fixr.com/costs/install-gutters
  3. https://bsesc.energy.gov/energy-basics/foundation-drain-gutters-downspouts
  4. https://www.abcsupply.com/news-events/gutter-market-trends-2026/
  5. https://st.hzcdn.com/static/econ/2026_U.S.Houzz_Outdoor_Trends_Study.pdf

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