InstaBidsHow long do gutters last?
Aluminum gutters have a 20-year life expectancy in NAHB’s February 2007 home-components study, based on a 2006 industry survey. That figure covers aluminum gutters; copper and galvanized steel gutters, plus downspouts, have separate entries below. The study treats these as guidelines and identifies maintenance as an influence on component life.
Source: NAHB home-components study, read 2 November 2026. Updated 2026-10-27
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In our own counts, n is the number of surveyed households behind a share and SE is its standard error, a measure of sampling error, in percentage points.
How long it lasts, by source
NAHB developed these home-component guidelines through a telephone survey of manufacturers, trade associations and researchers in summer 2006. Interviewees identified maintenance as an influence on component longevity.
| Type | Measure | Figure | Area | Data years | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum gutters | survey-based life expectancy guideline | 20 years | US homes | 2006 (study published 2007) | NAHB home-components study, read 2026-11-02, n not published by the source. |
| Copper gutters | survey-based life expectancy guideline | 50 years (more than 50) | US homes | 2006 (study published 2007) | NAHB home-components study, read 2026-11-02, n not published by the source. |
| Galvanized steel gutters and downspouts | survey-based life expectancy guideline | 20 years | US homes | 2006 (study published 2007) | NAHB home-components study, read 2026-11-02, n not published by the source. |
| Aluminum downspouts | survey-based life expectancy guideline | 30 years | US homes | 2006 (study published 2007) | NAHB home-components study, read 2026-11-02, n not published by the source. |
| Copper downspouts | survey-based life expectancy guideline | 100 years (100 or more) | US homes | 2006 (study published 2007) | NAHB home-components study, read 2026-11-02, n not published by the source. |
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To compare written bids for the gutter material in your project, you can describe the job on InstaBids.
How long do aluminum gutters last?
NAHB’s home-components study lists 20 years for aluminum gutters (2006 survey, published 2007, US homes, sample size not published). Aluminum downspouts have a separate 30-year entry; the report does not give the same life expectancy to both components.
For an aluminum gutter job, you can describe the gutter runs on InstaBids and compare written bids.
How long do copper gutters last?
Copper gutters have a life expectancy of more than 50 years in NAHB’s study (2006 survey, published 2007, US homes, sample size not published). The report’s copper downspout figure is 100 years or more, separately scoped to downspouts.
You can post a copper gutter project on InstaBids, compare contractors’ written bids and choose who gets your number.
How long do galvanized steel gutters last?
The galvanized steel entry in NAHB’s gutter table is 20 years (2006 survey, published 2007, US homes, sample size not published). That entry names galvanized steel specifically; the table supplies separate entries for copper and aluminum.
For work on galvanized steel gutters, you can describe the material on InstaBids and compare written bids from contractors.
How long do gutters and downspouts last?
NAHB separates the horizontal gutters from the downspouts: aluminum gutters get 20 years and aluminum downspouts 30 years; copper gutters get more than 50 years and copper downspouts 100 years or more (2006 survey, published 2007, US homes, sample size not published).
When your project includes gutters and downspouts, you can describe both on InstaBids so contractors bid in writing.
How often should gutters be cleaned?
Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services recommends gutter cleaning at least twice a year, and more often where there are trees, in its guidance for maintaining disconnected downspouts.
For gutter cleaning around trees, you can describe the job on InstaBids and compare contractors’ written bids.
Can sagging gutters be repaired?
Portland’s disconnected-downspout guidance identifies “low spots or sagging areas” along the gutter line and describes repair using spikes or new hangers as needed.
You can describe sagging gutter sections on InstaBids, compare the written bids and choose who gets your number.
Can gutter leaks and holes be repaired?
Portland’s instruction for gutter leaks is “Caulk leaks and holes.” It appears in the city’s guidance for maintaining disconnected downspouts.
The gutter repair scope depends on leaks and holes and low spots or sagging areas.
For a gutter leak or hole, you can describe the repair request on InstaBids and compare written bids.
Where should gutter water flow?
Portland’s disconnected-downspout guidance says, “Check that gutters are tilted to direct water to downspouts.”
You can describe a gutter pitch project on InstaBids and compare written bids for work directing water toward downspouts.
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Sources for the figures on this page
- National Association of Home Builders / Bank of America Home Equity, Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components, read 2 November 2026. Short attributed factual excerpts; no blanket reuse permission assumed.
- City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, read 2 November 2026. Short attributed excerpts.