How much does it cost to install vinyl (PVC) gutters?

Reviewed by Cristina Miguelez remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

Gutters are available in a range of materials, with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) being one of the most popular options. You may want to install PVC gutters on your home for several reasons. They are easy to install, cheap, relatively durable, and long-lasting when properly maintained and cleaned.

The average cost range in the U.S. for PVC gutters is between $800 and $1,200, with most homeowners paying about $913 for 100 linear feet of seamless PVC gutters with 3 downspouts and 3 corners professionally installed. This project’s low cost is $510 for 100 linear feet of seamed PVC gutters with 3 downspouts uninstalled. The high cost is $1,346 for 150 linear feet of seamless PVC gutters with 4 downspouts and 4 corners professionally installed.

PVC Gutters Costs

Vinyl Gutters Cost per Linear Foot

Vinyl gutters cost between $2 and $6 a linear foot for material and between $3 and $11 a linear foot installed. Vinyl comes in seamed and seamless gutters and various styles, impacting your project’s cost. All gutters are sold and installed in 12” increments - or linear feet. The gutters can be trimmed (for seamed gutters) or produced on-site to the exact measurements (seamless gutters). The total cost of your project depends on the amount of guttering you need. This depends on several factors, including your home size and roof positioning. Below are the average costs for different lengths of vinyl guttering installed.

Cost of Vinyl Gutters by Width

Vinyl gutters are usually sold in sizes of 4, 5, or 6 inches in diameter. The wider the gutter, the more water it can hold and transport. A 4 or 5-inch gutter works for most homes, but 6 inches can withstand much heavier rainfall. These are recommended for those living in stormy regions and areas with heavy rainfall. Most homes in other areas do not use gutters of this size. The table below shows the prices for 150 linear feet of PVC gutters installed based on the gutter size.

Average Cost of Vinyl Gutters by House Size

Your home size impacts the amount of guttering you need and the project cost. Home size is only one factor, with things like roof complexity also playing a role. The amount of gutters you need varies, and each home size has different guttering lengths and costs. For example, an 800 sq.ft. home may only need 44 linear feet of gutters, or it may need 60 linear feet. Your installer can determine the correct amount for your home. Below are the average costs to install vinyl gutters based on home size.

Vinyl Gutters Cost by Number of Stories

Your home’s height or stories can also impact your installation costs. Taller homes have longer downspouts than shorter homes, increasing installation costs. In addition, sometimes larger homes may have more stories than smaller homes, meaning you may need more guttering for a 2-story home than a single-story one. If all the square footage of the homes are equal, a 2-story home may have slightly higher expenses than a single-story home. Below are the average costs to install vinyl gutters by the number of stories. Homes come in many sizes, and the costs below assume that a 1-story home ranges between 800 and 1,500 sq.ft., a 2-story home between 1,500 and 2,500 sq.ft., and a 3-story home between 2,000 and 3,000 sq.ft.

Vinyl Gutters Cost by Type

Vinyl gutters can be separated into two categories: seamed and seamless. Seamed gutters are made up of readymade lengths of gutter in various sizes, usually around 6’ to 10’ in length. They are pieced together on-site and have overlapping seams between the pieces.

Seamless gutters are extruded into pieces the length of your home on-site. They are custom-made for your home, so there are no seams or weak places where they may leak. They cost more but can give your home a sleeker appearance. Both sets come in several styles with a range of costs, depending on the style and size. Below are the average costs for both gutters installed.

Seamed Vinyl Gutter

Seamed vinyl gutters cost between $2 to $5 a linear foot for material. Installed, they cost between $3 and $7 a linear foot. Seamed vinyl gutters are made by connecting separate pieces of gutter and snapping them in place to build a longer piece. Most vinyl gutters are sold in seamed form and are inexpensive and easy to install. However, seamed vinyl gutters also have disadvantages. Leaves and other debris can gather in the seams, causing clogs, and the seam lines are not aesthetically pleasing to many homeowners.

Seamless Vinyl Gutter

Seamless vinyl gutters cost between $2 and $6 a linear foot for material. Installed, they cost between $6 and $11 a linear foot. Seamless vinyl gutters should be fitted professionally because they require special machinery to take large sheets of vinyl and forge them into long continuous pieces of gutter that flow smoothly around your home, without joints or fasteners. Vinyl seamless gutters are more expensive and may not be as readily available as seamed models. They require less maintenance and potentially last longer. They are less likely to suffer leaks or clogs because they do not have seams.

Vinyl Gutter Prices by Style

Vinyl gutters are available in two common styles - K-style and half-round gutters. K-style is one of the most common types and is available as seamed and seamless gutters, with the seamed gutters being readily available at most big box stores. Half-round gutters are less common than K-style. They can be seamed and seamless, but the seamed is harder to find. They tend to be larger than the K-style and hold more liquid. Below are the average costs for both styles.

K-Style

K-style vinyl gutters cost between $2 and $5 a linear foot for the material. Installed, they cost between $3 and $11 a linear foot. K-style gutters are the most common vinyl gutter type. They are nailed to your home’s fascia, making them easier to install. They do not require additional hardware for installation, so they also cost less. They hold less water than a half-round gutter, so they may be less useful in high rainfall areas.

Half-Round

Half-round vinyl gutters cost $3 to $6 a linear foot for the material. Installed, they cost between $5 and $11 a linear foot. Half-round gutters have a characteristic U shape. They resemble a half-pipe and need brackets to install. The brackets attach to the fascia, and the gutter sits within them. This makes the installation slightly more time-consuming than with a K-style gutter, so costs may be higher.

Labor Cost to Install Vinyl Gutters

PVC gutters are lightweight and simple to install, making them popular with many homeowners. Most professionals charge between $1 and $2 per linear foot for installing seamed PVC gutters and between $4 and $5 a linear foot for installing seamless gutters. Seamless gutters are made on-site and are more difficult to install than seamed because they are longer pieces. PVC gutters are most commonly installed by gutter professionals. However, some roofing professionals install them, and many handymen can construct seamed gutters. The installation type can vary depending on the gutter and roof condition. If this is a replacement, your old gutters must be removed first and the area inspected before the new gutters can be installed. Below are the average labor costs for installing both PVC gutter types.

Vinyl Gutters and Downspouts Cost

When you install new gutters, you usually have new downspouts installed at the same time. Downspouts carry water from the gutters to the ground. They are often angled to keep the water from collecting near your foundation, and some may extend beyond the home to carry it farther. In some cases, the cost of the downspouts is grouped in the project cost, giving you a discount on the downspouts. Other times, they may be a separate cost. Vinyl downspouts cost $2.50 to $10 a linear foot installed, with lengths between 8’ and 16’ being common. This makes the average cost of vinyl gutters between $20 and $160 per downspout installed. Most homes have at least 2 downspouts but may have more. The average cost to have 100 linear feet of PVC gutters installed with 3 downspouts is $900.

Vinyl Gutters Replacement Cost

Your material and installation costs are the same if you replace your gutters with new vinyl ones, but you have additional costs to remove the old ones. Depending on the material, gutters can have a lifespan from 15 to 100 years, with vinyl gutters having the shortest lifespan at 15 to 20 years. This has an average cost of $0.65 to $0.85 a linear foot. This makes your total cost range for vinyl gutter replacement between $3.65 and $11.85, depending on the gutter type and size. Most gutter replacement jobs include an inspection of the fascia and surrounding area to ensure it can handle the weight of the new gutters. It is most common to replace gutters when you replace your roof or siding and when they begin to leak or cause other problems.

Pros and Cons

Vinyl gutters have many advantages, starting with inexpensive material and labor costs. They are easy to install and suitable for DIY installation. Because they are plastic, PVC gutters are low maintenance and do not corrode like metal gutters. They are dent-resistant and can be purchased in a range of colors and powder-coated finishes.

PVC is not the toughest material, despite resisting rust and dents. These gutters do not do well in extreme temperatures or weather conditions. Lightweight vinyl gutters can be damaged in strong winds and may break or crack when exposed to snow or ice. They are harder to find in seamless models, and the seamed varieties are prone to clogs and leaks. Vinyl gutters are only recommended for mild areas without extreme weather.

Maintenance

One advantage of vinyl gutters is they do not require much maintenance. They do not need to be treated for rust or repainted like many metal gutters, but they still require some maintenance. All vinyl gutters should be cleaned at least 2 to 3 times per year, depending on the conditions. If you have trees around the home that drop leaves into the gutters and cause clogs, more regular cleaning is required. You can clean the gutters yourself using ladders and brushes, or you can hire a professional. Professional gutter cleaning costs between $150 and $225. Vinyl gutters should also be inspected twice per year for potential leaks and cracks.

Vinyl vs Aluminum Gutters Prices

Aluminum is another popular material you might consider. Both materials are popular and used on many homes. Of the two, PVC is less expensive. However, aluminum gutters last longer, making them a better value. Vinyl lasts 15 to 20 years, while aluminum can last 20 to 30 years. Both types need the same maintenance, but aluminum can dent, and vinyl may crack or warp. Both are resistant to rust and corrosion, but aluminum is generally more durable. Below are the average costs for each material per linear foot installed.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Gutter Guards

A gutter guard acts as a barrier against debris. It blocks leaves and other large objects from falling into your gutters and causing clogs. They can reduce the amount of maintenance and the risk of blocked gutters. They usually cost between $2.60 and $18.50 per linear foot.

Downspout Screens

Downspout screens perform a similar role to gutter guards but are installed over the downspouts. They block debris from entering the spouts and are cleverly shaped to guide leaves or other items out. They help minimize maintenance while reducing the risk of clogs. They cost $5 to $15 each.

Heat Tape

If you live in a very cold place with snow, ice, and frost, you may want to invest in heat tape for your PVC gutters. This tape is placed along the gutters and heats up in cold conditions, preventing ice from forming and blocking the gutters. Heat tape reduces the risks of ice and excess snow building and blocking your gutters. Heat tape costs around $500 to $650 for the average home.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• PVC durability. PVC gutters are not particularly resistant to cold weather and can crack when exposed to frosty conditions. This leads to leaks and pools of water forming around your home, causing problems. It is vital to install the gutters properly and check them regularly to prevent these issues.
• Leaks. When improperly installed, PVC gutters are more likely to leak and cause other problems around the home, so they must be handled with care. If you do not have much DIY experience, consider hiring a professional.
• Colors. Vinyl gutters are usually sold in a range of colors and styles, allowing you to choose a look that matches your home. However, you can paint vinyl gutters, but they need to be prepared with a denatured alcohol rub and then painted with exterior acrylic paint. Only the exterior of PVC gutters should be painted.
• Christmas lights. Christmas lights can be hung from PVC gutters, but only use relatively lightweight lights because PVC is a lightweight material. Lights that are too heavy could pull the gutters out or further damage weakened sections. Check the gutters for cracks or weaknesses before installing lights and only use specially designed clips to attach them.
• Permits. Permits may be required for new gutter installations in some areas. Check with your local municipality for more information.
• Home value. PVC gutters do not add to your home’s value. However, functioning gutters help prevent damage to your home, which can help your home maintain its current value.
• New construction. Gutters are generally added to new homes during the final phase of exterior construction. Costs for vinyl gutter installations in new construction are $3 to $11 a linear foot.
• PVC gutter repair. Various issues can arise with your gutters, and repair costs for vinyl gutters ranges from $75 to $200, depending on the issue.