Seamless Aluminum: The KC Workhorse
Roughly 80% of residential installations in Overland Park and Leeâs Summit utilize seamless aluminum. It is favored for its corrosion resistance and "flex" during our 40-degree temperature swings.
- Thickness: Insist on .032 gauge aluminum. The thinner .027 gauge often sold at big-box retailers tends to buckle under the weight of wet snow and ice dams common in Wyandotte County.
- Local Pricing: Expect to pay between $7.00 and $11.50 per linear foot for professional installation, depending on the complexity of the roofline.
- Color Palettes: Suppliers like Kansas City Gutter offer "Terratone" and "Musket Brown," which are designed to match the specific earthy tones of Midwest architectural shingles.
Copper: The Ward Parkway Gold Standard
For the historic estates along Ward Parkway or the custom builds in Mission Hills, copper is the only material that offers a 50-to-100-year lifespan. It doesn't just age; it develops a verdigris patina that signals prestige and architectural integrity.
Copper is soldered rather than sealed with caulk, making the joints virtually leak-proof. However, the price point reflects its status, typically ranging from $28 to $45 per linear foot in the current KC market.
Technical Note: Galvanic Corrosion
Never mix copper gutters with aluminum or steel components. In the humid Kansas City summers, the contact between dissimilar metals causes rapid electrolysis, leading to system failure within just a few seasons.
Steel: Hail Resistance in the Northland
Homeowners in Liberty and Parkville often look toward galvanized or Galvalume steel for superior impact resistance. Given our proximity to "Tornado Alley," large hail can dent aluminum easily, whereas 26-gauge steel holds its profile against mid-sized ice pellets.
Steel systems are heavier, requiring heavy-duty "hidden hangers" spaced no more than 24 inches apart to account for the additional weight of the metal plus the potential for heavy ice loads during a February freeze.