If you are comparing gutter quotes in Bellingham, you will run into two basic options: seamless and sectional. The difference is exactly what it sounds like, and it matters more than almost anything else about the gutter.
What sectional gutter is
Sectional gutter comes in pre-cut lengths, usually ten feet, that snap or seal together along the run. It is what you buy off the shelf at a big-box store, and it is what a lot of older Bellingham homes already have. The problem is every one of those joints is a potential leak. Over time, with thermal expansion and our constant rain, the seals fail, the joints separate slightly, and water starts dripping down the fascia behind them.
What seamless gutter is
Seamless gutter is rolled on-site from a continuous coil of aluminum, cut to the exact length of each side of your roof. There are no mid-run joints at all. The only seams are at the inside and outside corners, where every gutter has to have a joint, and we seal those by hand. One continuous piece per side means far fewer places for water to get out.
Why it matters more in Bellingham
In a dry climate, a few leaky sectional joints are an annoyance. Here, with 35 to 40 inches of rain a year running through the gutters all fall and winter, those leaks run constantly, and constant water down the fascia is what rots the wood and feeds the foundation. The wetter the climate, the more the seams cost you. That is why seamless is the standard upgrade for older Bellingham homes with tired sectional gutter.
The look, too
Beyond performance, seamless just looks cleaner. There are no visible seams breaking up the line of the gutter, and the hidden hangers we use keep the front face smooth. On the historic homes in Fairhaven, where the gutter is part of the architecture, that clean line matters.
The bottom line
For almost every home, seamless is worth it over sectional. Fewer leaks, less fascia rot, a cleaner look, and a longer life. See our seamless gutter installation page, or request a quote to get a number for your roof.
Frequently asked questions.
What is the difference between seamless and sectional gutters?
Sectional gutter comes in pre-cut lengths, usually ten feet, that join together along the run, so there is a joint every ten feet. Seamless gutter is rolled on-site in one continuous piece per side of the roof, so the only joints are at the corners. Fewer joints means fewer places to leak, which is why seamless is the standard upgrade.
Are seamless gutters worth it in Bellingham?
For almost every home, yes. With 35 to 40 inches of rain a year running through the gutters all fall and winter, leaky sectional joints drip constantly, and that water rots fascia and feeds the foundation. Seamless has joints only at the corners, sealed by hand, so it leaks far less, looks cleaner, and lasts longer. The wet climate makes the upgrade pay off.
Where do seamless gutters still have seams?
At the inside and outside corners, where every gutter has to have a joint to turn the direction. We seal those corners by hand. The difference from sectional is there are no joints in the middle of a run, which is where most sectional leaks start. A typical home only has a handful of corner seams instead of one every ten feet.
Can you replace my sectional gutters with seamless?
Yes, that is one of our most common jobs in Bellingham. We tear off the old sectional gutter, check and repair the fascia if needed, and roll new seamless aluminum on-site sized to your roof. The old material is hauled away. Replacement runs $1,600 to $4,500 depending on footage, gutter size, and access.
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Keep reading.
Pricing it out? See what seamless gutters cost in Bellingham.
Picking a size? Read 5-inch vs 6-inch gutters.