Even then, I’ve seen fasteners or hangers fail before the gutters themselves do—kind of defeats the purpose if you don’t go all-in with compatible hardware.
That’s the kicker, isn’t it? I’ve replaced more rusty screws and brackets than actual gutters. Folks shell out for the fancy gutter but skip the marine-grade fasteners, and then wonder why stuff’s falling off after a couple hurricanes. Powder-coated aluminum looks sharp at first, but once you get a scratch or two, salt air finds its way in. Seen a few turn into patchwork projects after a rough storm season...
That’s been my experience too—hardware always goes before the gutters themselves. I started switching to stainless fasteners a few years back, especially after a few brackets basically crumbled after one bad nor’easter. Curious if anyone’s tried plastic or composite hangers? I’ve seen mixed reviews...
Curious if anyone’s tried plastic or composite hangers? I’ve seen mixed reviews...
I’ve put up a few gutters with composite hangers for folks right on the coast, and honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The big plus is they don’t rust out like steel, even the galvanized stuff, which just doesn’t last in salty air. But I’ve noticed some of the cheaper plastic ones get brittle after a few years—especially if they’re getting hit with a lot of sun. Had a job where a couple snapped during a cold snap, which was a pain.
The higher-end composite hangers seem sturdier, but they’re pricier and not always easy to find locally. I still lean toward stainless for most jobs, but if you’re dealing with constant corrosion, composites might be worth a shot—just make sure you’re not grabbing the bargain bin ones. Anyone else notice the plastic ones sagging over time, or is that just me?
Interesting you mention the sagging—I've definitely seen that with some of the older plastic hangers on my place. They held up fine at first, but after a couple summers, there was a noticeable dip in a few spots. I think you’re right about the higher-end composites being sturdier, but the cost and availability are a pain. Stainless is pricey, but at least you know what you’re getting. It’s a tough call near the ocean... nothing seems to last as long as you’d hope.
That’s been my experience too—plastic just doesn’t cut it long-term, especially with all the salt in the air.
True, but have you ever tried galvanized? It’s cheaper, but I’m not sure it holds up much better right by the coast. Sometimes feels like you’re paying more just to replace things less often.Stainless is pricey, but at least you know what you’re getting.
