Copper Gutters Cost Guide [2024 Data]
Normal range: $1,063 - $3,759
Installing copper gutters costs $2,369 on average, depending on the size of the home. Most spend between $1,063 and $3,759.
Copper gutters cost between $15 and $40 per linear foot. This works out to $1,063 to $3,759 for homes of various sizes around the country. It costs a pretty penny, but copper is loved by homeowners for its beauty, durability, and long life span. Use this copper gutters cost guide to plan your project.
- Average
- $2,369
- Low end
- $250
- high end
- $8,000
Benefits of Copper Gutters
While most homes have aluminum or vinyl gutters, some homeowners decide on copper gutters as the best fit for their homes. Here's a look at why you might want to upgrade to copper:
Curb Appeal: Copper gutters stand out for their elegance and sophistication. They provide a custom, stately look that is seen in few homes.
Durability: Copper's resistance to corrosion makes it a top choice compared to common gutter materials that rust more easily, like steel gutters or aluminum gutters.
Longevity: You can expect copper gutters to last 50 to 100 years.
Easy to Keep Clean: As a natural algaecide and fungicide, copper makes it easy to keep moss and lichens in check.
Flexibility: Copper is resistant to the buckling and cracking that are common with aluminum gutters. In addition to reducing maintenance, copper's flexible properties also increase its life span.
Superior Leak Resistance: Copper is widely considered the best gutter material for resisting leaks.
Ideal for Rugged Climates: Copper stays beautiful in salty air and extreme temperatures. Compared to other popular gutter options, aluminum gutters are susceptible to saltwater, while vinyl gutters don’t handle major temperature changes.
Drawbacks to Copper Gutters
Is there a downside to choosing copper gutters? While the beauty of copper is a big selling point, these downsides need to be considered:
Price: Copper is often double to triple the price compared to common aluminum and vinyl gutters.
Extra Costs: When installing copper gutters, you must also use 100% copper nails, fittings, and fasteners. This increases the price of the project.
Difficult Installation: Installing copper gutters takes additional expertise compared to other options. For example, your installer will need to do extra soldering at the joints.
Not Always Permitted: If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowner association, copper may not be allowed.
Theft Appeal: Yes, the value of copper means that thieves could target your gilded gutters.
Copper Gutters Cost Factors
Here's a look at the big factors that either reduce copper gutters costs or cut into your budget.
Style
While the average cost of copper gutters is $15 to $40 per linear foot installed, you'll pay between $15 and $30 per linear foot specifically for sectional copper gutters. The average price per linear foot jumps up to $30 to $40 for seamless copper gutters.
Seamless gutters cost more because you are installing single pieces instead of adding gutters section by section. While they require greater precision during design and installation, seamless gutters provide greater strength and reliability compared to other options.
Here's the price range when choosing between popular copper gutter styles:
K-style: $15–$30 per linear foot
Half-round: $19–$40 per linear foot
Size
Remember, most copper gutters cost between $15 and $40 per linear foot to install. With gutter pricing being based on linear feet, the size of your home plays a big role in the cost of your copper gutters. Most homes need around 100 to 200 linear feet of gutter material to complete the job. Having two or three stories can drastically increase the length of the gutters, which in turn increases the price of your gutter installation.
Here is a breakdown of copper gutter costs by size:
| Copper Gutter Size (Linear Feet) | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 50 | $750–$2,000 |
| 100 | $1,500–$4,000 |
| 150 | $2,250–$6,000 |
| 200 | $3,000–$8,000 |
| 250 | $3,750–$10,000 |
| 300 | $4,500–$12,000 |
In addition, if your home has a complicated roof with untraditional gables, corners, and pitches, you can expect to pay more for installation and materials. Additionally, you'll pay extra if your home has a longer downspout that runs far out from your home's foundation.
Labor
Installation labor for gutters is usually between $3 and $10 per linear foot. Expect to pay on the higher end for seamless copper gutters.
Prep
Most contractors add about $1 to $2 per linear foot to remove and dispose of your old gutters. It works out to an extra $200 to $300 per project in most cases. However, many contractors simply fold prep costs into your full quote.
Location
Your local annual rainfall influences how much copper gutters cost. While most homes have 5-inch to 7-inch gutters, homes in wet climates with frequent rainfall often need 8-inch gutters to keep up. These specialty gutters may be just an inch larger than standard gutters, but they can nearly double the costs for labor and installation due to the specialized techniques required.
Additional Costs to Consider
Before you dot your i’s and cross your t’s, there are some additional costs to keep in mind that could impact the cost of installing copper gutters on your home. When pricing out copper gutters, be sure to factor these costs (and savings) into your budget.
Maintenance
Here's where this metal is a gem for saving money. Due to its flexibility and longevity, copper requires minimal maintenance over time. In fact, you can realistically expect to never have to replace your new copper gutters in your lifetime.
Gutter Guard Installation
The average gutter guard installation costs between $650 and $2,400. You’ll find that copper gutters cost more overall. This is because copper gutters require copper fittings—including gutter guards. The type of gutter guard you choose also impacts the cost. Mesh gutter guards typically cost the most to install.
Repairs
While your copper gutters may outlast you, copper can cut into your budget somewhat if you ever need repairs. The average copper gutter repair job is between $200 and $400. In addition, if you're replacing rotted eaves, fascia, or soffits, expect to pay between $5 and $22 per linear foot.
Copper Gutters Compared to Other Materials
When it comes to choosing the right material for your gutter installation, it’s important to compare your options and look at the prices, life span, and maintenance that come with each gutter type. For example, some homeowners may want to choose faux copper gutters instead of the real thing. Faux copper gutters are made of vinyl or aluminum and are painted to look like actual copper. As a result, they won’t lose their copper sheen.
Before you decide, here’s a comparison of the most common types of gutter materials to help you narrow down the right fit for your home.
| Gutter Material | Material Cost (Per Linear Foot) | Installation Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | $7–$13 | $900–$3,300 |
| Copper | $15–$40 | $2,500–$7,000 |
| Galvanized Steel | $9–$23 | $800–$3,200 |
| Vinyl | $3–$7 | $600–$1,400 |
| Zinc | $15–$30 | $4,500–$7,500 |
Aluminum Gutters
Aluminum gutters cost between $900 and $3,300, or an average of $2,400. These gutters are an affordable option and have a decent life span of around 25 years, making them economical for those on a tighter budget who also want durable gutters. Just how long your gutters last depends on the level of maintenance you put into your gutter system.
Copper Gutters
Copper gutters are the most durable gutter material on the market, so it comes as no surprise that they cost between $2,500 and $7,000 on average. This higher upfront cost, however, will often save you money over time, as copper gutters last between 50 and 100 years with proper maintenance.
Galvanized Steel Gutters
Galvanized steel gutters cost between $800 and $3,200 for most installations. Galvanized steel is a durable material suitable for withstanding heavy snow and rain. These gutters have a life span of around 20 to 30 years, but if you live in a less harsh climate zone, then you might see your gutters lasting up to 50 years.
Vinyl Gutters
Vinyl gutters cost between $800 and $1,400 on average. These gutters are the cheapest gutter material on the market—in fact, they can cost just half the price of aluminum, while copper gutters cost 400% more—but with a life span of only 10 to 15 years, the benefits of vinyl gutters might not outweigh the negatives. Many homeowners compare vinyl vs. aluminum gutters when making a decision on a budget, so consider your options before purchasing.
Zinc Gutters
Zinc gutters cost between $4,500 and $7,500, or $6,000 on average. These gutters have a long life span of around 50 years and anticorrosive properties that make them a low-maintenance alternative to traditional gutters. However, these gutters come at a cost—around $4,800 more than your typical gutters.
Cost to Install Copper Gutters Yourself
Skipping the pro can help you save between $3 and $10 per linear foot on your project. That can bring the total cost of installing new copper gutters down to $12 to $30 per linear foot instead of the usual $15 to $40 for materials and installation. However, we don’t recommend you try to install gutters yourself.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
While any DIY gutter installation is tricky, the heaviness of a material like copper can cause homeowners to quickly get in over their heads, especially if they’re up on ladders. Not to mention, it’s hard to learn how to cut gutters with exact precision without sacrificing several pieces of material in the process, thus increasing your installation costs.
What’s more, gutter warranties are voided if your gutter system fails due to improper installation, even if you're pretty confident that you can learn how to install gutters.
Many local copper gutter installers offer their own work warranties on top of manufacturer warranties.
Cost of Common Gutter Add-Ons
You'll need to place a copper downspout every 30 to 40 feet of gutter length when installing a new copper gutter system. Each copper downspout costs between $15 and $40. You'll also need to pay $11 to $20 for each copper end cap needed. Finally, budget $12 to 20 per linear foot for copper gutter guards.
If you plan to add a rain barrel after your new installation, rain barrels cost from as low as $200 to as high as $5,000, based on how fancy you want your system to be.
Questions to Ask a Gutter Installation Pro
Choosing the right gutter installation contractor can make all the difference between a seamless installation or a bumpy one—pun intended. Here are some tips on what to ask a gutter installation pro to help ensure you choose the right contractor for the job. Be sure to ask these questions during your initial call with your contractor and when your contractor is on site.
Are your contractors licensed and insured?
How long has your company been in business?
Can you share some testimonials of previous customers?
How much do you charge to install gutters?
What does the payment plan look like?
Will the installation void my roof warranty?
Do you install seamless gutters?
What other gutter materials do you offer?
What size gutters do you install?
What fasteners do you use to install copper gutters?
How long do you think it will take to install my new gutters?
Do you clean up the job site after completion?
Does your company offer any kind of satisfaction guarantee or warranty? If so, how long is the warranty?
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prized for their longevity, copper gutters last between 50 and 100 years. Vinyl, steel, and aluminum gutters, meanwhile, last just 20 years on average. Over time, copper gutters take on a signature green patina that is highly prized. Picture the coloration of the Statue of Liberty to get an idea of why people love the distinguished look of aged copper gutters.
Oxidation is what causes copper to turn green. This oxidation is called a patina or verdigris, and in general, the process can take a few years. Your local temperature and humidity conditions play a big role, however; some gutters may not begin to turn green for 20 to 30 years if you keep them clean and maintained. Some homeowners prefer the penny-like sheen of copper. In some cases, you can prevent oxidation by regularly using a specialized anti-tarnishing finish.