Aluminum is the right fit for most Des Moines-area homes: it does not rust, it is the most common gutter material, and Angi puts it at about $7 to $15 per foot installed. Copper costs several times more but can last 50 years or longer, and galvanized steel is strong, though Angi says it can start to oxidize in 10 to 15 years.
The three metals side by side
Angi's 2026 materials guide puts installed aluminum at about $7 to $15 per linear foot with a life of up to 25 years, galvanized steel at $8 to $13 per foot, and stainless steel at $16 to $20. It lists copper material alone at $15 to $25 per foot, lasting more than 50 years. HomeAdvisor's 2026 copper data puts installed copper at $18 to $40 per foot. These are national market ranges, not our prices, and your actual price comes from a free estimate for your house.
Aluminum: what most homes get
Angi calls aluminum the most common gutter material. It is light, it does not rust, and it comes in every color, so it can match trim, fascia or siding. Its weak point is denting, and thickness is everything. Angi says box-store aluminum tends to be thin, that 0.019 aluminum is prone to warping or even collapsing under accumulated snow, and that contractors use 0.027 or 0.032. Ask any installer what thickness they run. Our 5-inch and 6-inch seamless gutters come in all colors.
Steel: galvanized and stainless
Steel is stronger than aluminum and resists dents. Angi says galvanized steel is prone to rust and may start to show oxidation in 10 to 15 years, while stainless steel will not rust but costs more, at $16 to $20 per foot. Your actual price comes from a free estimate. Angi notes 26-gauge is the most commonly installed steel and 24-gauge is sturdier under heavy loads. HomeAdvisor gives seamless steel a life of 20 to 30 years. Steel can also be noisy in rain. If you are set on steel, ask Luke what he can source for your project.
Copper: the long-life option
Copper is the premium choice. HomeAdvisor's 2026 data puts installed copper at $18 to $40 per foot, seamless copper at $30 to $40, and half-round copper at $19 to $40, with copper lasting 50 to 100 years with routine care. It starts penny-bright and weathers to brown, then charcoal, then green, a change HomeAdvisor says takes about 20 years. Angi notes 16-gauge copper is often used where heavy snow and ice are common. Your actual price comes from a free estimate. See our copper and half-round gutters page.
Zinc and vinyl, briefly
Angi lists zinc at $15 to $40 per foot with a life of up to 50 years, and says it does not rust, fade or warp. It is uncommon on Iowa homes but worth knowing about. Vinyl is the low-cost DIY option at about $2 to $4 per foot, per Angi, but it can fade and turn brittle in sunlight, and Angi recommends sturdier materials where heavy snow is common. HomeAdvisor gives vinyl a life of 10 to 15 years. Your actual price for any material comes from a free estimate.
Snow load: the Iowa deciding factor
Des Moines averages 36.5 inches of snow a season under the National Weather Service's 1991 to 2020 normals. Snow and ice sit in gutters for weeks, so thickness and hanging matter as much as the metal itself. A thin aluminum gutter on spikes can fold under ice, while a thicker aluminum gutter on hidden hangers screwed into sound fascia rides out a normal winter. Angi's thickness advice points the same way: 0.027 or 0.032 aluminum, 24-gauge steel, or 16-gauge copper where snow and ice are heavy.
How to choose for your house
Start with how long you plan to stay and what the house calls for. For most ranches, split-levels and two-stories, aluminum K-style gutters in a color that matches the trim do the job for decades at the lowest cost. Copper half-round gutters suit brick homes, historic styles and owners who want gutters that outlast the roof. Steel fits some commercial and metal buildings. Luke can walk you through the options and price more than one in the same free estimate.
Common Questions
Do aluminum gutters rust?
No. Angi notes that aluminum is rust-proof, which is a big part of why it is the most common gutter material. It dents more easily than steel or copper, so thickness matters: Angi says contractors use 0.027 or 0.032 aluminum, not the thin stock sold at many box stores.
Are copper gutters worth it on an Iowa home?
They can be if you plan to stay and like the look. HomeAdvisor's 2026 data says copper lasts 50 to 100 years with care, but installed copper runs $18 to $40 per foot against about $7 to $15 for aluminum, per Angi. Your actual price comes from a free estimate.
What thickness of aluminum gutter holds up to heavy snow?
Angi says contractors use 0.027 or 0.032 aluminum and warns that 0.019 aluminum is prone to warping or even collapsing under accumulated snow. Hanger type and spacing matter too. Hidden hangers screwed into sound fascia carry a winter load far better than spikes.
What to Do Next
Want to compare metals on your own house? Call or text Luke at (515) 901-3646 and he will price aluminum and copper side by side for your house. You can also start with our seamless gutter installation page.
See our copper & half-round service or call or text (515) 901-3646.
Sources
- Angi: The Most Popular Gutter Materials (2026)
- Angi: Gutter Thickness Guide (2026)
- HomeAdvisor: How Much Do Copper Gutters Cost? (2026)
- HomeAdvisor: How Much Do Seamless Gutters Cost? (2026)
- National Weather Service Des Moines: Des Moines Climate Extremes and Normals (1991-2020)
Cost figures above are published market ranges from these sources, not Flow Right Construction prices. Your price comes from a free estimate.