Aluminium vs zinc guttering – which comes out on top? Well, first things first, selecting the right gutter material is essential. Each varies by durability, sustainability, cost and more.
Choose the right material and your drainage system will work effectively for years to come. Choose the wrong material and you could be left facing leaks, structural damage and costly repairs.
We break down the pros and cons of each material below to help you make the right decision.
| Material | Durability | Sustainability | Installation | Maintenance | Design Options | Cost |
| Aluminium | Very High | Requires less energy to recycle | Easy due to its lightweight nature | Easy; naturally corrosion resistant | Can be powder coated in any RAL colour | Moderate |
| Zinc | Very High | Some uses of zinc are hard to recover | Challenging due to its heaviness | Can react poorly to acidic run-off | Powder coating presents an ‘outgassing’ risk | Very High |
We may be biased, but we feel aluminium gutters genuinely offer you better value for your money.
Aluminium alloys have a density of around 2.7 g/cm³, compared to zinc’s 6.6 g/cm³. Not only does this minimise strain on your building, but it also makes aluminium easy to install – reducing project delays and keeping labour costs down.
For certain commercial and listed buildings, customisation is key too. If you want colour flexibility, aluminium is the perfect choice.
Whether you need to match your office building’s gutters to your company’s branding, or you’re a facilities manager being held to conservation requirements – our BBA-approved aluminium coil can be powder coated in any RAL colour of your choosing.
As cited by the UK Green Building Council, aluminium is 100% recyclable. Zinc is too, but it can be sensitive to acidic run-off from certain woods or copper (which can lead to galvanic corrosion).
This doesn’t necessarily make zinc less sustainable, but it does make it less durable. These reactions cause rapid white rust, pitting and holes in zinc flashings or roofs over time.
Finally, aluminium is, widely, a much more affordable alternative to zinc.
Zinc is a high-cost, premium material that requires specialist handling, precise soldering and expert fitting – all of which increases the price.
Whereas, aluminium is a mid-range option that offers more competitive installation pricing without compromising on performance.
For a better idea of how much our aluminium guttering costs, please get in touch.
If you’ve decided to go with aluminium, you’ve made the right choice. To get a quick project estimate, please contact us today for a free quote. Got measurements and drawings? Send them our way for a more accurate price.
If you prefer you can use the form below to leave us your details and we’ll get back to you.
