Greetings & Congratulations!
You were smart to do some on-line research and you've found our humble, yet extensive web site on rain management products for your home, which can save you a great deal of grief and thousands of dollars on rust-free gutters replacement if needed mounted w/stainless steel screw attachment, No-clog gutter options, or just good screen covers over your existing gutters at a much more reasonable cost, very effective, and user friendly.

The screens I recommend are labeled 'Small Hole', but I feel the standard is just fine as well even with lots of pine needles, as long as you have the larger outlets and a strainer mounted below in the downspouts, (which I call Leaf-catchers) where they can be easily accessed. I have had clients not bother to check their DMR Gutters for over a decade. We live under a huge maple tree on one side and tall pine trees on the other as an example of their effectiveness, but you will find hundreds of addresses of houses listed we've worked on to find some in your area to see first hand:

http://dmr-gutters.com/ag/
http://dmr-gutters.com/cg/

One of the best aspects of these screens is how if you want to clean out the gutters you can see down in through these screens to see if there is a blockage. Without even removing these screens the gutters can be simply rinsed out down to the Leaf-catchers seen here below. With these Leaf-catchers you can cover the screens in them during that rincing, so even the small sand particles from the roofing will simply wash out the opening and not be washed down into your storm drain pipes. Even w/o my No-clog warranty can you think of a better system that this? I haven't been able to, no matter how much a client is willing to pay. The best part is how this system is less expensive than any other No-clog gutter system you'll find, which makes this your most practical option.

My name is David Rich; Owner, Salesman, and Installer. I'm rich in life, but not wealthy. I'm just a modest working stiff with a creative bent, and happen to have an unusually high aptitude for mechanical comprehension, spatial arrangement, and math. I've been servicing the Portland metro area with aluminum and copper No-clog gutters since mid 1993. I've worked in Banks, Beaverton, Boring, Cornelius, Corvallis, Estacada, Forest Grove, Gladstone, Gresham, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, Newberg, North Plains, Oregon City, Portland, Salem, Sherwood, St. Johns, Tigard, Troutdale, Tualatin, West Linn, and even a few houses on the Coast. Although, I'm not licensed to work outside Oregon.

My mission in life is to rail against 'Planned Obsolescence' in all forms, and champion Ethical Responsibility, which as you must know is sadly lacking in most business practice. I at least do what I can to set a good example for other Business Owners, which is the best most of us can realistically hope to accomplish in life.

Feel free to get plenty of bids from other Gutter Contractors, but I can assure you that you'll not find a better value elsewhere. Please use my Quality Standards list linked above while interviewing those other Gutter Contractors to protect yourself against their lies and greed. You'll see from the reaction you get as you read off my quality standards. I would love to hear about your results. Even if you are not local to the Portland, Oregon area. If they say they cannot get those parts that is very telling and you should not hire them. If they claim they will do what I do they are most likely going to charge you twice what I would, and still not do what I do at any cost when it's all said and done, sadly. I'd love to be proven wrong.

There are several Gutter Contractors in this area who charge as much for just a gutter covers as I would to replace all of your gutters and downspouts w/our No-clog solid copper parts. No joke. Even if they worked as good as they promise, which would you rather have to add value to your home?

I know this sounds too good to be true, but I can prove this to you if you give me a chance and take the time to read over some of this web site.

Low Maintenance & No-clog Gutter Options:

Beyond the many advantages we offer for standard gutter replacement we also offer No-clog options that not only work better long term than our competition, but are more cost efficient than most any other devices you may have seen.  I have lots of proof of this, but sheer logic is my best weapon. You should keep in mind that window screen is too fine of a weave to be practical as a gutter cover. It may keep out more of the smaller debris, but it will wind up keeping the rain water out of your gutters as well before long. It is just too fine and will become caked with debris, which will cause the rain water to cascade over the outside edge of your gutters. In that case you might as well just remove your gutter system all together. Any gutter cover with that fine of a straining is not worth installing, let along the outrageous cost they want for those flawed products.

Gutter covers need large holes and lots of surface surface area to allow the rain water to sift into the gutters, before dropping off the outer edge. It will still keep out the larger debris like branches, pine cones, large leaves and toys, which would clog a gutter quickly. There will still be small debris getting through, which is why the larger outlets are so important. Your gutters could be as large as a bath tub, but if the outlets are still the same small size they would clog and fail just as quickly.

 

The metal screens I use have twice the open area than plastic screens and last longer under the UV rays of the Sun. It is true that these will not keep out all the smaller debris and you'll have moss globs growing inside your gutters over time if you are truly able to leave them alone, but that's where the larger outlets and the Leaf-catchers I make come in to form a good functional and practical rain management system at a reasonable cost.

As you may have become aware of by now those costly metal hood gutter covers fail in short order. If any debris gets trapped in that small groove the water is suppose to use to get into the gutter that rain water will simply cascade over the outside of the gutter. Many of these companies pushing these covers will adamantly claim they will guarantee the gutters will not clog, but they will never guarantee the gutters will continue to accept water. They also create a perfect dark moist breeding ground for moss and become filled with large moss globs that will keep rain water from passing sideways to the outlets, or even to enter the gutter.

One of the worst details is how their metal covers cost more than our copper gutters and screens. I believe a gutter cover no matter how good it could possibly work should never cost more than a new aluminum gutter, or it is impractical, no matter how well it could work. The worst part is how pretty much all of them are a scam at any cost and they know it. Not that you'll ever get them to admit it, Trust me, I've argued on the phone and on-line groups with their sales reps for hours trying to get me to sell their faulty product. They clearly have no conscience.

You can read more on this subject on our Gutter Covers Comparison web page:
http://dmr-gutters.com/lp.htm

Larger Outlets:

Click on this image to read the magazine article in a National Consumer Protection web site, which has the initials A L, where I was interviewed to discuss my thriving business during this recession for their July 2008 issue (they requested not to be named here). It seems I was the only Contractor in their poll who said their business was doing better than ever.

I attributed my success to doing better quality work at a more reasonable price, along with good communication though easy phone access, this extensive web site, and swift e-mail replies.

 Because of my diligent efforts here I have been told by dozens of clients how this web site is clearly the most comprehensive web site on rain management in the world: with over 300 web pages spread out over this business web site and http://copper-by-design.com along with over 5,000 digital photos that link to full screen images for a closer look. Many link to a whole separate web page with a gallery of related photos and a more detailed description of that project. They also love how I'm one of the few who list the cost of those projects, so they can do anonymous price comparison shopping w/o having to suffer talking to a high-pressure salesman.

I'm happy to do free on-site quotes for local homeowners within 20 miles of our local area, as the CCB requires of all Licensed Contractors, but I have found it works best to develop more of an interactive partnership with my clientele by working out some of the details through e-mail first (see Latest News page for details). These days pretty much everyone has a digital camera on their phone and knows how to send pics through e-mail. I have had to do this with most all my non-local clientele over the last 9 years for the custom copper fabrications I do, since most of them are located back East of the Mississippi.

I am still a hands-on contractor, so I couldn't possibly drive around town all day filling all the bid requests I get, let alone do the volume of work I could sell, so I request a simple pre-qualification effort on your part. I would not be able to get any work done otherwise, as I am already booked several months out. I will not sacrifice quality for a larger production volume.

2009 The Adams House - 20 photos
Hilsboro, Oregon

2009 The Pulliam House - 18 photos
S. W. Portland, Oregon

Included copper ridge caps for moss control

2007 The Olson House - 69 photos
S. E. Portland, Oregon

Included copper ridge caps for moss control

2005 The Blosser House - 26 photos
Milwaukie, Oregon

Copper Gutters and Hardwood Decks

2008 Tara North - 45 photos
 S. E. Portland, Oregon

This was the most impressive restoration I've ever seen. He said my bid was $14k less than a competing Gutter Contractor.

2008 to 2011 The Lenio House - 92 photos
S. E. Portland, Oregon

 I replaced their gutter w/copper, rebuilt their carport, and built a hardwood patio and cedar pergola in back

2004 The Kistler House on the Historical Registry
317 photos - Forest Grove, Oregon

He said after years of searching I was the first Gutter Contractor willing to provide a bid for the work he needed

2002 The Yocum House, just above the Zoo
72 photos - S. W. Portland, Oregon

I was contracted to replace their poorly installed copper gutters

Who is DMR Gutters?
DMR Gutters is just a small company in Portland, Oregon based just 10 minutes South of Down Town. I've been licensed, insured, and bonded for sheet metal work in the State of Oregon under CCB #92250 since 1993 without a single dispute filed with the CCB. With the high cost liability insurance for Roofers I am prohibited from doing any roofing related work.  More specifically I am a Specialty Residential Gutter Contactor. I've also built up a custom aluminum and copper fabrication shop. I have specialized in sheet metal rain management products for nearly 2 decades now and have graduated to building elaborate custom copper chimney caps and turret roof caps for clients across the Country.

Before the year 2000 I carried the type of liability insurance to do roofing as well, but since the cost of that insurance is 500% higher than any other types of construction it was too expensive for a small company like mine, who cannot possibly do enough volume to cover that expense. That's sad, since in my travels I have yet to see evidence of a decent roofer who is committed to doing good work and use materials designed to last more than a decade (no joke). The reason is because contractors are only required to provide a 1 year warranty on the work they do. After the Homeowner had exhausted their efforts to deal directly with that contactors and then had to resort to filing a complaint with the CCB for mediation; it has to be filed within 1 year of completion or it is an invalid complaint and thrown out. Meaning that Contractor is off the hook for any negligent work they did. I know I would not want anyone working on my house who only expected their work to last a little over a year.

I've worked hard over the last 20 years to maintain the highest reputation for quality and honest work practice, which is a primary reason I have not been able to grow and take on lots of employees. I'm primarily a Hands-On Contractor who specializes in low-maintenance no-clog gutters at a more reasonable cost than my competition, who have charge over $1k more than my copper gutter bid for their aluminum gutters. There are several dozen leaf protection concepts out there, but many of them are more expensive than my copper gutters. No matter how good they could possibly work I do not understand how a gutter cover could cost more than a gutter? Even if they worked better than they claimed they should not cost that much unless they were gold plated. According to the Homeowner of Tara North my bid for 20oz copper gutters at only $15k was only about half of what a competitor wanted at $29k for less quality than I do. That $14k has been the widest spread I've heard to date. He said he even asked their Sales Rep if he was buying him a Harley. (LOL)

Here is one of the custom copper projects I build shown above. This was shipped to a Lake house in Seneca Falls, New York. I also make custom copper roof caps for turrets and gazebos.  Most of the custom work I do is fabricated with a heavy-duty solid 20oz copper or thicker. Some times 48oz copper is used, which is 3lb per square foot and is too thick to cut with tin snips.

This is my latest work vehicle; a used 2005 Acura MDX w/aluminum & stainless steel rack

You will see a lot of copper gutter photos here and other custom work, but many of the gutter work I've done over the last 2 decades has been in pre-painted aluminum sheet metal.  I refuse to install steel gutters, because I do not believe in planned obsolescence, so it goes against my ethical values. For my latest availability see my Latest News web page.

Watch out for Gutter Contractors pushing steel gutters!
A little history: Back in the 1960s when aluminum was developed as a cost efficient rust free alternative to steel gutters people started seeing it in all the adds, so most all Gutter Contractors had to switch over to compete. After a while it was not much of a sales advantage, since it was so common-place. We saw it less and less in adds as the catch word and we all expected the Gutter Contractors were using aluminum still, but sadly most Gutter Contractors reverted back to using steel for gutter fabrication to unsuspecting clients. Through out the last 3 decades Builders have been using steel for gutters on over 90% of new house construction. Most fascia gutters are steel and will attract a magnet, unlike most any other type of metal.

Why not steel? Depending on how frequently you had your gutters cleaned out steel gutters will last between 10 to 20 years before the metal has become so rusty that it has holes through the bottom and cause nasty rust stains as well. The steel downspouts those Gutter Contractors use are even worse. They are prone to clog easily and are noisy for hours after the rain has stopped; drip, drip, drip ............... Steel can be detected with a simple magnet test, since the iron in steel is the only metal that will attract a magnet.  This issue is very important, since rusty steel gutters accounts for over 75% of the need for gutter replacement. Gutters detaching from the house is the second leading cause, and here is a common example of that problem. 

There are more details on this issue at the top of my #2 FAQ web page.

Why do I need to worry about these issues? Sadly most businessmen focus more on maximizing their profit margin over client service. They're relying on Homeowners not networking and just rely on advertising to reach new clients to snow. They see Building Codes and the CCB as a thorn in their side. Not as minimal recommendations like I do. Giving little to no thought of how they would like to be treated by other Contractors working on their own home. Steel for gutters is pushed because it is a little cheaper metal and offers them planned obsolescence for more repeat business.

They will adamantly claim that steel makes for much stronger gutter, which is a lie they push to sell you on this cheaper metal that will not last nearly as long. Even if their claim were true; damaged gutters account for well under 10% of gutter replacement work, so it's only a minor issue at best. Try to see their obvious motivation for this deception they push.  They are just fighting to compete with other Gutter Contractors for the lowest possible bid to make that sale, while making the maximum profit margin still. Simple as that.

What is even funnier is how if they were the actual installer doing the work like I am; to lift those heavier steel gutters and struggle with driving in those 7" nail spikes while holding the gutter up on top of a 2 story ladder they would not work with steel. They are only slick talking salesmen that cannot be trusted.

What do I need to demand? As simple logic would dictate if you have a life time metal for the gutters it does not makes sense that the other parts will not last. I only work with rust-free sheet-metal, other than the leaf screen for over the gutters. They should be willing to use stainless steel screws (nail-free) for a lasting hold. You will most likely need to test them with a magnet to be sure they are not just regular screws. Building Code does not require contractors to use aluminum or screws. Although, when aluminum is used for making gutters it is only to Code if it is a lot thicker than steel in order to make sure they are just as strong. So you have a metal that is about twice as thick as steel and will not rust. Realize how most of the money you pay for most any construction work is for labor and their business expenses. Not the cost of parts, so it is a waste to use cheaper materials that will not last 1/3 as long.

What about Plastic Gutters? Plastic gutters may not be able to rust out, but they are even worse than steel for longevity and strength. They are so soft that you cannot lean a ladder against them for cleaning the gutters out or servicing the roof. Within a decade the sun breaks down the plasticizer, so they become brittle and crack easily. They're actually more expensive parts, but the seals fail in short order. I have more on this on my FAQ pages

What if I am not local to you?
DMR Gutters also sells unique low-maintenance gutter parts and custom copper sheet metal fabrication to clients across the continental USA through http://copper-by-design.com .  Like: gazebo caps, scuppers or leaderheads, and chimney caps. (see my 'Shipping' web page for details).  I also provide some of the best unbiased advice on Roofing Quality Standards in the industry, as well as another web page on Safe Moss Removal and Effective Maintenance.  I do have a toll free phone number, but please read my contact info page before calling us.