A reliable gutter system is essential to protect your home or commercial building from water damage, erosion, and ice buildup. At Preferred Panels, we fabricate heavy-duty steel gutters and downspouts in-house using our CNC brake allowing us to control quality, consistency, and fit from start to finish. Every section is built for long-term performance in Wisconsin’s extreme weather conditions — and designed to be easy to clean and maintain.
We’ve designed our gutter systems with Wisconsin in mind — from ice dams and snow loads to spring melt and summer storms. Our steel construction and seamless 10' lengths stand up to the elements and reduce leak points over time.

All of our systems are made from 24- or 26-gauge steel, offering the strength and durability needed for snow loads, heavy rain, and freeze/thaw cycles. Steel outperforms lighter materials and resists denting, sagging, and corrosion.
Our open-faced downspouts make seasonal maintenance simple. You can reach in by hand to clear leaves or debris — no need for special tools, covers, or complicated clean-out systems. It’s a straightforward, low-maintenance design that works.
A well-built gutter system isn’t just about materials — it’s about flow. We help you plan for the right number of downspouts, optimal placement, and proper pitch to ensure efficient water drainage. This reduces overflow, ice damming, and foundation issues over time.
Each piece is finished with a protective plastic film to prevent scratching or damage during handling and transport. Because we make our own gutters, we also custom fabricate matching end caps for every run—no off-the-shelf parts or mismatched pieces.
Seams and joints are generously caulked and riveted to ensure long-lasting, leak-free performance. We use either color-matched caulk for a clean finish or clear sealant for a subtle appearance, depending on the application.
For downspouts, we reinforce each section with a support strip every 16 inches, helping to maintain shape, resist denting, and extend the life of the installation.

We offer 36 color options, the same range available for our metal roofing and siding is available for gutters and downspouts. This ensures a cohesive, professional look across your entire project.
Color charts and color samples are available upon request!
We operate a full-service metal fabrication setup — including a 10-foot shear, 10-foot CNC brake, and a mobile, trailer-mounted roll former — which means we can produce nearly every component of your metal roof or gutter system in-house or on-site.
By fabricating components ourselves, we eliminate the middleman — and that gives you and your clients:
✅ Tighter fits and cleaner lines
✅ Fewer seams = fewer potential leaks
✅ Faster turnaround on installs, repairs, or replacements
✅ More flexible solutions for tricky roof lines, chimney flashing or uneven fascia
✅ A cleaner, custom look that’s hard to match with stock parts
✅ Lower material costs — no delivery fees, no freight delays
✅ No waiting on suppliers or risking damaged shipments
✅ Greater control over timelines for contractors and crews
The maximum thickness our CNC brake can bend is 1.5 mm (0.059 inches), which accommodates 16-gauge steel—a common thickness for durable architectural metalwork. For reference, most metal roofing panels are made from 24-gauge (approximately 0.61 mm or 0.024 inches) or 26-gauge steel (approximately 0.48 mm or 0.0189 inches), making our equipment more than capable of handling the full range of standard materials used in the industry.
Preferred Panels can fabricate gutters or downspouts for roofing contractors and Do-it-yourselfers as well as jobs we complete.
Whether you're a seasoned contractor or tackling your first DIY project, we’re here to help. Our team is responsive, detail-focused, and ready to walk you through material options, panel profiles, timelines — even urgent needs like storm damage repairs or replacements.
Get in touch with us today to schedule a free estimate for your roofing project. Our team of experts will assess your needs and provide you with a detailed quote for our services.
Both steel and aluminum gutters are durable options, but they serve different needs depending on your project goals.
Steel gutters are strong, impact-resistant, and less likely to warp or bend under heavy snow or ice loads. They’re ideal for Wisconsin’s harsh winters and are often chosen for their structural strength and long-term performance. However, steel is heavier than aluminum and can be more prone to rust over time—especially when using galvanized material. For that reason, we recommend choosing any painted color option over bare galvanized, as galvanized gutters and downspouts are unpainted and offer less corrosion resistance in the long run.
Aluminum gutters are lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and easier to install because of their reduced weight. While aluminum doesn’t offer the same rigidity as steel, it performs well in mild to moderate climates. In areas like Wisconsin where conditions can be severe, aluminum is still a solid choice for residential applications when properly installed and maintained.

Downspout design plays a key role in both function and appearance.
Open-faced downspouts provide easier access for maintenance and debris removal. This style is often used in commercial, agricultural, or industrial settings where performance and accessibility are the top priorities. Open-faced designs are highly resistant to clogging, making them ideal in areas with heavy leaf or debris fall.
Closed downspouts are more commonly seen on residential buildings, offering a cleaner, finished appearance. While they help direct water away from the structure and protect the interior flow, they are more likely to clog compared to open-faced designs. Regular cleaning and proper installation help minimize this risk.

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Preferred Panels -- 1038 Winchester Rd, Neenah, WI
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