Short answer:
Yes, zinc gutters are more expensive upfront than plastic and most aluminium systems — but whether they’re actually expensive depends on how you look at the full system and the long term.
Let’s break this down properly, using real product pricing, not vague averages.
The upfront cost: what zinc guttering actually costs
Looking at the zinc guttering ranges you’re considering, prices typically sit in this bracket (for 3-metre lengths):
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115mm half round natural zinc gutter (3m): ~£64 incl. VAT
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125mm half round natural zinc gutter (3m): ~£75 incl. VAT
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150mm half round natural zinc gutter (3m): ~£88 incl. VAT
That’s just the gutter length itself. Zinc is not a cheap material, and it’s priced accordingly.
Now add the part people often forget:
You usually need zinc downpipes too
Zinc systems work best when the whole rainwater path is compatible, which means zinc downpipes rather than mixing materials.
Typical prices:
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80mm zinc downpipe (3m): ~£68 incl. VAT
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100mm zinc downpipe (3m): ~£82 incl. VAT
Once you factor in downpipes, offsets, bends, outlets and brackets, a zinc system can look expensive very quickly if you’re only comparing it to plastic on a per-metre basis.
What about quartz zinc? (Why it costs more)
Quartz zinc gutters sit in a more premium category.
In your case:
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Quartz zinc guttering is only available in 125mm
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A 3m length is around £107 incl. VAT
That’s a noticeable jump from natural zinc - and it’s deliberate.
Quartz zinc isn’t just a colour choice. It’s pre-weathered to give a consistent, darker matt finish from day one, rather than waiting for natural patination. For people who want a very specific architectural look and don’t want uneven early ageing, that consistency has value.
But yes — quartz zinc is firmly at the top end of zinc pricing.
Why zinc costs more than other systems
Zinc isn’t expensive by accident. You’re paying for:
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the raw material itself
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the way it protects itself (natural patina, not paint)
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extremely long lifespan
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minimal maintenance over decades
There’s no repainting cycle to budget for. No peeling coating to chase. No fading colour to “live with”.
That cost is front-loaded rather than spread out over time.
The mistake people make when judging cost
A common comparison looks like this:
“Plastic is £X per metre, zinc is £Y per metre — zinc is expensive.”
That comparison misses the point.
A fairer question is:
“How much will this system cost me over 20–40 years?”
When you factor in:
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replacement cycles
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repainting or repair
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visual degradation
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time spent maintaining
Zinc often narrows the gap far more than people expect.
When zinc is expensive (and maybe not the right choice)
Zinc probably isn’t the best option if:
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budget is the main driver
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the building is purely functional
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you don’t care how the system looks long-term
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you’re happy replacing gutters again in future
In those cases, galvanised steel or aluminium often make more sense.
When zinc is good value (even at the higher price)
Zinc starts to make sense when:
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you want to do the job once
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appearance matters long-term
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the building is contemporary or design-led
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you don’t want repainting or ongoing upkeep
That’s where the higher upfront cost feels justified rather than painful.
The honest conclusion
Yes, zinc gutters are expensive compared to most alternatives.
But they’re expensive in the same way a long-lasting roof, good windows, or proper exterior materials are expensive - you would be paying upfront to avoid compromise later.
If you’re comparing purely on initial cost, zinc will almost always lose.
If you’re comparing on lifespan, maintenance, and how the building will look in 20 years, zinc suddenly looks a lot more reasonable.
The key is knowing why you’re choosing it — and budgeting for the full system, including downpipes, not just the gutter lengths.