Gutters and downspouts come in many materials -- plastic, steel, aluminum. While plastic does not rust, it generally is a poor gutter material. Plastic gutters are usually assembled by homeowners from a variety of parts they find at home stores. The gutters tend to come apart, break and be low capacity.

Then there are steel gutters and downspouts. When these are new they might not be bad. In fact, they might be okay for many years. But, eventually, since steel rusts, the gutters and downspouts will start going the way of the gutter in the photo below.

In my view, the best gutters and downspouts for our wet Pacific Northwest climate, in Bellingham and Whatcom County, would be the seamless aluminum gutters and downspouts that are installed by professionals. Unless they are damaged by falling limbs or other impact damage they tend to last for a very long time. Of course, the homeowner has to keep the systems clean too or they do not work as intended.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith