Gutter systems in Dublin:
the right one for your house.
uPVC, seamless aluminium, cast iron, cast-effect aluminium, copper and galvanised steel. Here is what each is good for, and what makes any of them work.
Choosing a system is mostly about the house and the exposure
Most Irish homes come down to three choices. uPVC (plastic) guttering is the workhorse — light, corrosion-proof and the most economical, available in half-round, square box-section and decorative ogee profiles. Aluminium, including seamless aluminium rolled on site to the exact length of your roofline, costs more but removes the joints, and the joint is where nearly every gutter leak starts. Cast iron remains the right answer on Victorian and Georgian properties and inside Architectural Conservation Areas.
For select heritage and coastal work we also fit copper, which weathers to a natural patina, and galvanised steel in box profiles on agricultural and industrial buildings. Where a period look is wanted without period cost, cast-effect aluminium reproduces the profile and colour of traditional iron at a fraction of the weight and price.
Whatever the material, a gutter system is only as good as its parts: brackets fixed at correct centres, unions and corners that seal, stop ends, outlets and hopper heads that feed the downpipes, and drip-edge flashing that carries water off the roof felt and into the gutter instead of behind it. We size outlets and downpipes to BS EN 12056 and set the falls so water actually travels.
Every type of gutter system, in detail.
uPVC (plastic)
The most common choice on Irish homes: a lightweight plastic system that never rusts and never needs painting. Available in half-round, square (box) and ogee or deep-flow profiles, in the usual black, white, brown and grey ranges.
Best for: Typical 1970s–2000s houses and estates, extensions, and any job where cost matters.
- The most economical system, and usually fitted in one to two days
- Light on the fascia and fixings, so it suits almost any house
- No rust and no repainting — an occasional wash keeps it right
- Sections and fittings are easy to replace if one is damaged
Watch for: Every union and corner is a seal that has to hold for years, and plastic can fade and turn brittle after decades in the sun. When a uPVC system leaks it is nearly always a joint, not the gutter itself.
Typical cost: Indicative €950–€1,900 for a 3-bed semi. Brand-name profiles only, with 10–25 year manufacturer warranties on top of our own.
Seamless aluminium
Rolled on site from a continuous coil to the exact length of each run, so there are no joints along the gutter — only at corners and outlets. A specialist install: the roll-forming machine and trained crew come as a package.
Best for: Large roofs, steep pitches, exposed or coastal sites and long straight runs.
- Far fewer joints, and the joint is where nearly every gutter leak starts
- Powder-coated finish with a design life of 30+ years in the Irish climate
- Larger sizes available for big roofs and heavy rain
- Cut to length on site, so no short lengths or visible joins along a long run
Watch for: It costs more than uPVC, and aluminium can dent if a ladder is leant against it, so later maintenance needs a little care.
Typical cost: Indicative €1,900–€3,400 for a 3-bed semi.
Cast iron
The traditional material for period houses: heavy, durable and repairable, with the original ogee and half-round profiles and hopper heads that match the building.
Best for: Victorian and Georgian terraces, Protected Structures and Architectural Conservation Areas.
- Matches the original look of a period house exactly
- Can be repaired, re-sealed and re-hung — not only replaced
- Often what the planning authority expects on protected buildings
- Lasts for generations when it is kept painted
Watch for: It is heavy, so the fascia and brackets must be sound. It needs repainting to keep rust away, and it can rust through at the back where you cannot see it.
Typical cost: Indicative €2,500–€7,500 for restoration or replacement, depending on the length and condition.
Cast-effect aluminium
Aluminium moulded to copy traditional cast-iron profiles: the period look at a fraction of the weight and price.
Best for: Period-style houses that are not protected, where weight and cost matter.
- Reads as cast iron from the ground, in ogee and half-round profiles
- Light enough for ordinary fascia and fixings
- Does not rust, and comes powder-coated
- Usually cheaper than genuine cast iron
Watch for: On a Protected Structure or in an Architectural Conservation Area the conservation officer may insist on genuine cast iron, so check your status before you choose.
Typical cost: Priced per job after a free survey.
Copper
A premium material that weathers from bright metal to a soft green-brown patina.
Best for: Select heritage buildings and high-specification work where the patina is wanted.
- Very long-lasting
- Weathers to the patina heritage buildings are known for
- Needs no painting
Watch for: It is significantly dearer than any other option, and the soldered joints need a skilled fitter.
Typical cost: Priced per job after a free survey.
Galvanised steel
Strong box-profile gutters for agricultural and industrial buildings.
Best for: Farm buildings, sheds and industrial or commercial units.
- Strong and rigid over long spans
- Box profiles carry a lot of water
- Cost-effective for large buildings
Watch for: The zinc coating wears over time, faster in salt air, so it is not our first choice for coastal houses.
Typical cost: Priced per job after a free survey.
Gutter guards and leaf filters
Mesh and brush systems that let water through and keep leaves and debris out of the gutter.
Best for: Houses under or beside trees.
- Keep leaves out while letting rain through
- Turn an every-autumn job into an occasional check
- Can be fitted to most existing gutters
Watch for: They do not remove maintenance entirely: moss and fine silt still build up, so the gutters still need a look now and then.
Typical cost: Indicative €350–€900 fitted.
Every job, fully covered.
Fixed-price quotations only. No surprises on completion.
Included in every job
Quoted separately
Transparent pricing guide.
| Service | Indicative price (2026) | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| uPVC Gutter Replacement (3-bed semi) | €950–€1,900 | 1–2 days |
| Seamless Aluminium Guttering (3-bed semi) | €1,900–€3,400 | 1–2 days |
| Cast Iron Gutter Restoration / Replacement | €2,500–€7,500 | 2–5 days |
| Gutter Guard / Leaf Filter Installation | €350–€900 | Half day–1 day |
Indicative ranges published by Recommended Roofing for 2026, including access equipment, materials, debris removal and the 10-year guarantee on installation work. Your fixed quote is confirmed free after a survey. VAT at 13.5% applies to residential work.
From survey to handover.
Look at the house
Age, exposure, roof size, trees and whether the building is protected all shape the answer.
Recommend
We recommend a system and tell you plainly if a cheaper one is fine — not just the dearest option.
Size it
Outlets and downpipes sized to rainfall intensity; brackets and falls designed for the run.
Fit
Installed to the specification, with the connected fascia, soffit and flashing checked.
Guarantee
Written 10-year workmanship guarantee, plus manufacturer warranty on the product.
Watch the work,
not just the words.
Real jobs filmed by our own crews. Tap any video to watch.
Questions, answered.
What is the difference between uPVC, aluminium and cast iron guttering?
uPVC is the most economical, corrosion-proof and fine for most homes. Seamless aluminium is rolled on site with no joints along the run — fewer joints, fewer leaks, and a 30+ year design life. Cast iron suits period and protected properties and can be restored rather than replaced.
Do I need cast iron on a period house?
On Protected Structures and in many Architectural Conservation Areas the planning authority generally expects original rainwater goods to be repaired or replaced like-for-like. Check your status before changing the material — see our guide Cast Iron vs uPVC Gutters on Dublin Period Homes.
What does seamless aluminium cost compared with uPVC?
Our indicative 2026 range for a 3-bed semi is €1,900–€3,400 for seamless aluminium and €950–€1,900 for uPVC. The quote is confirmed after a survey.
Do gutter guards stop me cleaning gutters?
No. They do not remove maintenance entirely, but they turn an every-autumn problem into an occasional check. Indicative €350–€900 fitted.
What brands do you fit?
Brett Martin, Lindab and Alutec systems.
More gutter services.
Gutter Installation
New guttering for extensions, garages, new builds and houses that never had it done right.
Gutter Replacement
Strip, fix the timber behind, and fit a new system — Lifetime Leak Guarantee on full replacements.
Gutter Cleaning
A full flush-out with downpipes rodded and a photo report — plus guards and maintenance.
We cover Dublin city, north and south. Read the gutter cost guide or look at our case studies.
Get your gutters
sorted today.
Tell us what is wrong with your gutters — we will come back fast with a clear, written quote. Or call us: