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In This Review: Top 5 Picks | Buying Guide | Mistakes To Avoid | FAQ | Methodology
Gutter hangers help to keep your gutters firmly and securely attached to your roof, helping to keep your roof safe from water damage if you need to either replace or fortify your existing system. With packs of gutter hangers costing just $10 to $50, this is one of the most affordable home improvement upgrades you can make for potentially saving your home from thousands of dollars in damage.
After looking at popular gutter hangers in all styles, we selected the Quick Screw 6 Inch Gutter Hangers as our top choice for the best gutter hangers due to a heavy-duty design and deep engagement that offer high performance with very simple installation. Be sure to measure your gutters before purchasing gutter hangers so you purchase the right amount for your home.
Best Gutter Hangers: Our Top 5 Picks
- Best Overall: Quick Screw 6 Inch Gutter Hangers
- Best Hidden Hanger: AMERIMAX HOME PRODUCTS Hidden Hanger and Screw
- Best Hooks: NACETURE 50 Pack Metal Gutter Hooks
- Best Price: Premium Wear 50 Pack Hidden Rain Gutter Bracket
- Best Spike and Ferrule: AMERIMAX 7-Inch Spike/5-Inch Ferrule
Compare Top Gutter Hangers
| Product | Hidden? | Gutter Size (Inches) | Material | Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quick Screw 6 Inch Gutter Hangers | Yes | 6” | Aluminum | Bracket |
| AMERIMAX HOME PRODUCTS Hidden Hanger and Screw | Yes | 5” | Aluminum | Bracket |
| NACETURE 50 Pack Metal Gutter Hooks | No | Any with gutter guards | Steel | Hooks |
| Premium Wear 50 Pack Hidden Rain Gutter Bracket | Yes | 5” | Aluminum | Bracket |
| AMERIMAX 7-Inch Spike/5-Inch Ferrule | No | 5” | Aluminum Spike, Plastic Ferrule | Spike and Ferrule |
| Product | Hidden? | Gutter Size (Inches) | Material | Style |
Terms To Know for Gutter Hangers
- Style: Gutter hangers come in three common styles: brackets, spike and ferrule, and hanger and strap. Brackets provide a strong attachment directly to the fascia and are usually not visible from the ground. Spikes and ferrules, an older method, involve a spike driven through a tube in the gutter, which can loosen over time, making longevity and stability their critical metrics. Hanger and strap systems are ideal for homes without fascia boards; however, they are partially visible and are not compatible with most gutter guards.
- Size: Refers to the gutter width in inches that the gutter hanger is compatible with.
Best Overall
Quick Screw 6 Inch Gutter Hangers
- $22.98
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Making quick gutter repairs after sagging.
What Are People Saying About Quick Screw 6-Inch Gutter Hangers?
Overall, people who have installed these gutter hangers are impressed with the great fit, easy installation, and sturdiness. Several reviewers shared that they gave up on using the tool that is provided with the pack pretty quickly.
“Used these on back gutters that were coming loose from the snowfall. They worked very well. Would recommend.” — Denver Mullins via Amazon
“Brackets were very simple and they snapped into the gutter very well. The downfall was that the tool that came in the package stripped out after the third hanger that I fastened.” — Jose A Burgos via Amazon
Best Hidden Hanger
AMERIMAX HOME PRODUCTS Hidden Hanger and Screw
- $5.04
- $6.76
- 25% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Providing rain protection for historic or architectural homes.
What Are People Saying About the AMERIMAX HOME PRODUCTS Hidden Hanger and Screw?
People who have used these gutter hangers generally like the easy installation. Some customers did feel that the design was very sensitive during installation.
“Easy to use, easy to install, works great.” — lance doggette via Amazon
“They are easy to install. They however hump up a lot in the middle. And if you overtighten the screws, they collapse inward and pull the edge of the gutter out of alignment…” — sdowney717 via Amazon
Best Hooks
NACETURE 50 Pack Metal Gutter Hooks
- $9.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Decorating and hanging lights without destroying gutters.
What Are People Saying About the NACETURE 50 Pack Metal Gutter Hooks?
Overall, customers are impressed with the heavy-duty material and easy installation of these hooks. However, their freewheeling installation style leaves some users frustrated.
“This pack of 50 NACETURE stainless steel Christmas light hangers were so much easier to install on my roof and use with my Christmas lights than any of the plastic hooks that I have used in the past. Whether I tried to take the plastic hangers down with light strings or leave them up for the next year, the plastic hangers would become brittle, break, and had to be replaced every year. The NACETURE hangers, which are durable stainless steel, haven’t broken and will be useable again next year, saving me time, frustration, and money. If you do not want to have to buy new plastic hangers each year, order these metal hangers.” — JB via Amazon
“The hooks don’t stay in place and twist. Therefore the lights don’t sit straight or flush. The pictures do not show the actual lay of the hook with lights.” — Ray Wickes via Amazon
Best Price
Premium Wear 50 Pack Hidden Rain Gutter Bracket
- $45.98
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Providing heavy-duty performance when replacing or fortifying weak hangers after failure.
What Are People Saying About the Premium Wear 50 Pack Hidden Rain Gutter Bracket?
Customers are impressed by how durable and easy to install these brackets are. Several shared that they were able to fortify their gutters with this product to get a few more years out of their gutter systems instead of paying for replacement. A few commenters did warn about bending during torquing if you’re not paying attention.
“Very impressed with the quality and the cost. Was very easy to install and made all the difference in getting a few more years out of the seamless that is on my house. Had the original gutter been installed with these then my purchase would not have been necessary. Highly recommended to anyone installing new gutters or bolstering up existing gutters.” — Amazon Customer [Verified] via Amazon
“Worked great. Much easier for fastening. Just have to watch to not torque too much, otherwise they can bend.” — Kevin Z. via Amazon
Best Spike and Ferrule
AMERIMAX 7-Inch Spike/5-Inch Ferrule
- $14.88
- $27.56
- 46% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Updating gutters with existing spike and ferrule hangers.
What Are People Saying About the AMERIMAX 7-Inch Spike/5-Inch Ferrule?
Customers think this set is good for replacing existing ferrules. However, a recurring complaint is that the spikes in this set bend too easily.
“Great for repairing gutters with existing ferrules.” — HomeDepot Customer via HomeDepot.com
“These spikes are easily bent. Do not use on SmartSiding fashia board, this wood is too hard for these spikes. They bent on the 3rd hammer strike each time…” — NWTDRH via HomeDepot.com
What To Know Before Buying Gutter Hangers
While they represent a seemingly small and inexpensive aspect of a home’s gutter system, gutter hangers should not be looked at as afterthoughts. The role of a gutter hanger is to ensure that a home’s gutters are stable and supported. Choosing an incorrect hanger can put your home at risk for severe water damage that can lead to extensive home and gutter repair costs. Here’s a look at what you need to know before selecting gutter hangers. Some professional installers will include gutter hangers as part of your installation. If you have your gutters installed, you should ask about gutter hangers when you get a quote for your gutter installation.
What types of gutter hangers are available?
Gutter hangers are available in several styles that attach to roofs in different ways. When deciding which style to choose, you’ll need to consider your comfort level with drilling holes into the fascia or roofline versus using a method that hangs externally. Here’s a look at popular gutter hanger options.
Spikes and Ferrules
This hanger design is composed of a metal tube called a ferrule that is fastened to fascia using metal spikes. While this option provides a secure fit, it can make fascia more vulnerable to deterioration. Additionally, contact with wood can increase risks for contraction that’s caused by the freeze-thaw cycle.
Hanger and Strap
This style features a half-round design that wraps around the gutter before fastening to the fascia. In addition to being known for performing well in harsh weather, this option adds strength and structure to gutters.
Hidden Hangers
Made to be fitted within the gutter horizontally, hidden hangers disappear after being screwed into the fascia. You won’t see them when you look up at a house. In addition to being attractive, these hangers have high water-handling capacity.
Hooks
Designed to allow string lights to be placed along the gutters by being looped into gutters or gutter guards, this design offers an aesthetic benefit without the need to drill holes. However, they are not meant to provide support to the gutter itself.
Brackets
Often used to replace or fortify weak gutter hangers, brackets screw into fascia boards.
What material are gutter hangers typically made from?
Most gutter hangers are made from rust-resistant aluminum. Certain components of gutter hangers may be made from plastic.
How do you choose the best size for gutter hangers?
Gutter hang size is based on the gutter diameter. The traditional gutters sizes are 5-inch and 6-inch gutters. In order to determine your gutter diameter, measure the distance from the inside wall of the gutter to the outside. Choosing gutter hangers that are the appropriate size is important for ensuring a proper fit that will prevent gutters from sagging.
What external factors affect gutter hangers?
The biggest threat to gutter hangers is moisture from snow, rain, and ice. This is why it’s important to look for gutter hangers that are made from rust-resistant materials. Typically, this means high-quality aluminum. When gutter hangers aren’t able to resist the elements, they can begin to rust and disintegrate. Unfortunately, that means that they may not be able to support the weight of heavy rainfall, debris, snow, and ice when it counts.
Mistakes To Avoid When Installing Gutter Hangers
Installing gutter hangers incorrectly can be worse than not having gutter hangers at all. Here’s a look at the common gutter mistakes to avoid.
Not Spacing Gutter Hangers Evenly
It’s important to space gutter hangers at even intervals to ensure that your gutter system is firm and secure. One common mistake that people make when attempting a quick DIY gutter hanger installation is to simply “eyeball” gutter placement. This can create instability by creating too much “slack” in some parts of the gutter. The result is sagging.
Spacing Gutter Hangers Too Far Apart
In addition to being consistent with gutter hanger spacing, it’s important to know how to space gutter hangers. The general rule is to space hangers 2 inches to 3 inches apart. Stick to 2 inches in colder climates that experience ice in order to ensure that your gutter system can handle ice and snow building up in the winter.
Relying Too Much on Gutter Hangers
While gutter hangers can fortify a gutter system, they can’t make up for other mistakes that are made during installation. In order to ensure that your gutter hangers can work properly, it’s important to use proper downspout placement. Skipping downspouts should never be used as a way to bring down gutter installation costs. When installing or updating gutters, verify that there is a downspout at least every 40 feet.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gutter Hangers
How much does it cost to repair a gutter?
The average cost to repair a gutter system that has cracks or sagging ranges from $300 to $600.
What type of gutter hangers work best with gutter guards?
When installing gutter guards, bracket-style gutter hangers are commonly used. Hidden hangers can also work with gutter guards. Hooks are also generally designed to slip between gutter guards. Strap hangers are considered the most challenging hangers to use with gutter guards.
How far apart should gutter hangers be?
Gutter hangers should be placed every 2 feet to 3 feet in order to create stability. Adding hangers every 2 feet is recommended in northern climates that experience ice.
What are sagging gutters?
Sagging gutters are gutters that have started to droop from the weight and pressure of rainwater and debris. Sagging is almost guaranteed to happen when a clog within a gutter goes unaddressed. While some sagging gutters may need to be replaced, fortifying a gutter system with new gutter hangers can help to create a tighter fit.
Our Methodology
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, including power tools, outdoor equipment, major appliances, kitchen gadgets, electronics, and more that focus on product quality and helpfulness to our readers.
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of gutter hangers with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we compared each model’s feature set to create a final short list, selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
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