Curb appeal is a huge factor in buying and selling a house. Many real estate agents agree that a home’s exterior is the first thing potential buyers notice.

If your home needs some sprucing up, don’t worry – there are plenty of things you can do to improve its appearance without spending a lot of money. One easy way to enhance your curb appeal is to paint your rain gutters a different color than the rest of your house.

How Painting your Rain Gutters Makes a Difference

Regardless of the size or style of your house, painted rain gutters can help tie the exterior together. This can make your home stand out among other buildings, especially if most houses in your neighborhood look similar.

If you’re worried about the time and effort of painting your gutter system, don’t be – it only takes one afternoon.

Start by removing any leaves or other debris that may be up there. Then, give your gutter system a good scrubbing with soapy water. While you’re at it, check for any cracks or other damage and patch them up if necessary.

After you’re done cleaning and patching, use painter’s tape to outline where you want the color to stop on your gutter. It might be at the corner of your roof or a few inches down from the top. Once you know where you want to place the tape, paint right up to it and then remove it once everything is dry.

Can You DIY?

This is a relatively simple project you can do by yourself. However, it takes time to do it, from cleaning the area to adding tape, painting, and waiting for it to dry.

You’ll need several tools and accessories like a ladder that’s big enough to reach the gutters. Also, you’ll need tape, different brushes, a base coat, paint of your choice, and a topcoat.

Expect the process to last several days if you’re doing it, more so if you don’t have any experience. It’s not particularly difficult to do, but you probably won’t move as quickly as a professional contractor would.

Plus, professionals like those at roofing, repair & replacement in St Petersburg, FL, already have all these accessories at hand.

The Right Color Choice

There are lots of colors you could choose from for this project. Picking a contrasting color is a great way to make your house pop.

For example, if your house is red brick with light grey siding, you might want to go with white or black gutters. This will immediately draw the eye and give the home a sleek and modern look.

If you prefer a more uniform color scheme, go with something that matches your siding or shingles. If you want an even easier route, stick with the same color as your roof – it’ll look like part of the whole.

Once you decide on a color, don’t forget to seal your gutter with an oil-based primer and caulk before you paint. This will protect it from the elements, including rainwater, leading to flaking or other damage.

The Price

Painting gutters can be a simple task, depending on their length and how many downspouts they have attached. However, additional costs may appear, and they can factor into the cost of your overall project.

These might include removing the downspouts to prime and caulk them before painting them back on, for instance. As said, if you’re doing it yourself, you’ll also need to factor in costs like time, equipment, paint colors you want, supplies, brushes or rollers, etc.

Hiring a professional may seem more expensive, but it’s faster and more convenient, especially if your day-to-day schedule is already packed.

Care and Maintenance

Painted gutters require more maintenance than non-painted ones. This is because the paint will eventually wear off due to sun exposure, rain, snow, and other weather elements.

First, you should make sure the weather is nice during the painting process. This means no high temperatures, rain, or strong winds that could damage the coats as they dry.

Once everything is fully dry, it’s also more resistant to these factors. However, you’ll still have to maintain the gutters to make the good look last.

If possible, remove the leaves and debris every few months with a leaf blower or a garden hose. Regular rinsing will prevent residue from building up and causing permanent damage.

If you paint your gutter system, you’ll get to enjoy the modern roof for several years before having to paint it again. This is especially true if you use a proper primer and caulk and clean regularly.