What’s the Difference Between Copper Gutters and Aluminum Gutters?
Rain, rain, go away with one of these two gutter options
Highlights
Copper gutters cost $16 to $26 more per linear foot than aluminum gutters.
Aluminum gutters can be painted to match any home exterior.
Copper gutters last 30 to 75 years more than aluminum gutters.
Aluminum is less durable but easier to install.
Let's face it—gutters aren't usually the most attractive part of a home. But this doesn't mean that your gutters can’t bring flare to your home’s aesthetic. From sophisticated copper to economical aluminum gutters, it may feel like a toss-up between these two popular options. While copper gutters and aluminum gutters have a few similarities, their differences could end up making one stand out from the other.
Below, we’ve broken down the different characteristics of copper gutters vs. aluminum to help you determine which gutter material type is right for your home.
What Are the Differences Between Copper and Aluminum Gutters?
The biggest differences between copper and aluminum gutters include the price, appearance, and life span. Overall, copper gutters cost significantly more than aluminum gutters but also have two to five times the life span. Meanwhile, aluminum gutters offer a lower price tag and more versatility appearance-wise.
| Type of Difference | Copper | Aluminum |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Red-brown, blue-green | Silver, paintable |
| Cost | $20 to $40 per linear foot | $4 to $14 per linear foot |
| Durability | Very durable and strong | Fairly durable |
| Eco-friendliness | Mostly eco-friendly | Somewhat eco-friendly |
| Installation | Best for pros | Can be DIYed |
| Life span | 50 to 100 years | 20 to 25 years |
| Maintenance | Low maintenance | Minimal maintenance |
Copper vs. Aluminum Gutters: Differences in Appearance
How your gutters look can impact your home’s curb appeal. Let’s see how copper and aluminum gutters compare in terms of appearance to see if one fits your style more than the other.
Aluminum Gutter Appearance
Aluminum’s original color is a silver-gray metallic one. Over time, this metallic sheen can fade and turn into a chalky, matte hue. This is a natural process caused by corrosion from water and oxygen exposure.
If the appearance of aluminum isn’t your jam, you don’t have to stick with the original coloration. Aluminum is a paint-friendly material, making it a good option for anyone looking for more flexibility in the appearance of their gutters. Since you can paint aluminum gutters, you can pretty much get away with any color you like—a major plus for homeowners looking for a very specific color palette for their home’s exterior.
Copper Gutter Appearance
Initially, copper starts out like a shiny penny with its reddish-brown sheen, but don't get used to your copper gutter’s appearance. Over time, copper oxidizes and turns into a matte blue-green called a patina or verdigris. While the Statue of Liberty stands tall with these impressive hues, not everyone likes the appearance of oxidized copper.
If these colors aren’t to your taste, then you might be out of luck with copper gutters. Copper is limited to its natural colors. Though you can try to paint copper, you’ll find that copper can cause the paint to chip and flake. What’s worse is that chipped or bubbled paint can prevent moisture from evaporating and lead to corrosion and a shortened life span for your gutters.
Cost Differences
The cost to install gutters varies big time depending on the material. You’ll find that copper gutters can cost up to five times more than aluminum gutters. Aluminum gutters cost anywhere between $4 and $14 per linear foot on average, while copper gutters cost between $20 and $40 per linear foot. These price disparities can really impact which material you choose.
Some homeowners want the appearance of copper gutters without the cost that comes with it. In this case, faux copper gutters made from either aluminum or vinyl are affordable alternatives.
Durability Differences
Aluminum and copper gutters are durable choices, but copper is the most durable of the two. Copper’s tensile strength—how resistant it is to breaking from tension—is about 40% greater than aluminum. The material is less likely to become damaged from ice dams, clogs, and impact. Aluminum gutters are also more prone to rust than copper, which weakens the metal over time.
Both materials are prone to corrosion from seawater, which is worth keeping in mind if you’re looking for new gutters for your coastal home.
Eco-friendliness Differences
Copper and aluminum are practically infinitely recyclable, making them eco-friendly materials for gutters in that they don’t contribute to landfills as much as vinyl gutters. However, copper is more environmentally friendly than aluminum overall.
Aluminum production is energy-intensive and releases greenhouse gasses in the production cycle that are harmful to the ozone layer. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), aluminum production releases perfluorocarbon (PFC) emissions that potentially contribute to global warming anywhere from 6,500 to 9,200 times greater than carbon dioxide. Aluminum can also pose harm to aquatic freshwater organisms.
Still, copper mines pose their own problems in terms of sustainability. Copper is less readily available than aluminum and can cause air and waterway pollution as well as deforestation. Copper mining releases dangerous radioactive materials that can impact the health of miners.
Installation Differences
Installing aluminum gutters can look very different from installing copper gutters. If you’re hoping to install gutters yourself, aluminum is the best choice for the job. Aluminum gutters are lightweight and can come in either seamless or regular styles. If you choose seamless gutters, you’ll pay more to have customized gutters that fit the length of your home.
Copper is much harder to install and requires some know-how, strength, and skills to get it installed correctly—something you’ll want to invest in, given the higher cost of the material. Unlike aluminum, which can either be seamless or come with seams, copper must be installed seamlessly and, therefore, must be fit to size.
You’ll also need to use all copper fittings, fasteners, gutter hangers, and nails to prevent the copper from corroding or being corroded by any of the hardware. This includes copper gutter guards if you plan on installing them. On top of that, copper is much heavier than aluminum. Your installation will take longer and require a local gutter installation pro to ensure it’s installed properly.
Life Span Differences
Because aluminum gutters are weaker than copper, they don't last as long. Aluminum gutters can last anywhere between 20 and 25 years on average, while copper gutters can last between 50 and 100 years on average.
How long your gutters last depends on how well you maintain them. Regularly cleaning your gutters costs between $125 and $250 and allows water to drain properly. This can prevent corrosion for both materials. Still, you’ll need to factor in the cost of replacing your aluminum gutters well before replacing copper gutters.
Maintenance Differences
Copper is a low-maintenance gutter material that doesn’t need repainting and is typically durable enough to withstand most weather conditions and fallen branches. If you want to prevent your copper gutters from tarnishing and turning green, then you will need to put a little more TLC into keeping your copper gutters looking like a shiny, new penny. Antioxidant coating that contains UV protection is the best way to maintain copper gutters.
Aluminum gutters are also fairly low-maintenance. If you have painted aluminum gutters, then you’ll need to repaint your gutters every five to 10 years. Since aluminum gutters are more prone to dents and damage, you may need to budget extra for repairing your gutters from time to time to prevent gutter leaks.
To keep water flowing and avoid putting too much weight on your gutter system, you should clean your gutters, no matter the type, once or twice yearly, depending on how many trees are present in your yard.
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to which gutter material is better, the choice really boils down to what you're looking for in a gutter system. If saving money is the most important factor, then your best option is to go for aluminum gutters. If longevity and durability are more important to you, then copper gutters could be the best fit. If you want to customize the color of your gutters, aluminum takes the cake, but if you're looking for a more natural appearance, copper might be a better choice.
Though aluminum and copper are some of the most common gutter materials, they aren't the only types of gutter materials on the market. There are also stainless steel gutters, vinyl gutters, zinc gutters, and wood gutters. Some homeowners choose to forgo traditional gutter systems entirely. Gutter system alternatives include angled louvers, rain chains, drip edges, rain dispersal systems, and french drains.