Gutters may not be the most exciting things you add to your home, but they are one of the most useful items. Problems resulting from roof runoff due to lack of gutters include:

• Damp or flooded basements or crawl spaces.
• Damaged windows and doors.
• Topsoil erosion.
• Stained siding from backsplashes.

The type of gutter you choose will affect the price, so look at your options carefully with your contractor before deciding on which material is best for you.

Wood. These gutters are common on old houses, but rarely used today. While more functional than you might think, they can be expensive and require frequent maintenance. If your house is a historic structure, you may have to consider these.

Copper. Old houses often have these with their lovely green patina. The need for maintenance is almost nonexistent, because copper won't rust or need repainting, but the cost of installing them new is daunting.

Stainless steel. Sturdy and maintenance-free, stainless steel is an attractive option, except for one thing: it's one of the most expensive types of gutters available.

Aluminum. One of the most popular types of gutters, aluminum will not rust, and it's one of the less-expensive alternatives.

Vinyl. Vinyl is less expensive than aluminum, but there's a reason for that. Vinyl can become brittle in cold climates or over the years, and it's not nearly as sturdy as metal gutters, making it more likely you'll have to replace it in California.

Galvanized steel. The least expensive alternative, galvanized steel is sturdier than aluminum or vinyl, but it eventually will rust, requiring replacement.

There are two factors that can raise the price of gutters: Thickness of material and deciding between sectional or seamless. The thicker the gutter, the sturdier and longer-lasting it will be. But as thickness increases, so does the price. Seamless gutters, which are less prone to leaking, are more expensive than sectional because they are more complicated for contractors to install.

Vinyl gutters never need to be painted. Paint is optional for aluminum gutters. Waxing is another possibility. Although it's more expensive than paint, it is long lasting and attractive. Galvanized steel should get a coat of rust-retardant paint whenever the rest of the house is painted (every four to six years).