5 inch vs. 6 inch Gutter Guards

You may be asking yourself, "What is the standard gutter size?" In reality, there is no "standard size" when it comes to gutters. 5 inch gutters can be seen as the standard size on the market, but there are many reasons to choose 6-inch gutters, too. Especially now with the increase of rainfalls due to climate change! Compared to the 5 inch variant, 6 inch gutters can handle much more rainwater.

There are many variables when it comes to a gutter system. Many downspouts are extremely important for gutter system installations. House type, look/style, the pitch of the roof, and even the types of nearby trees should be taken into consideration. Maybe the most important thing to consider is the amount of rain that your area receives. Generally speaking, 6-inch gutters are for commercial projects and 5-inch for most of the residential ones. However, there are different conditions that may change this.

Let's talk about the size first. Your gutter has to be able to carry the water, which is determined by the square footage of the roof. The bigger the roof, the more water it will generate. So, estimating the amount of water a gutter must carry is the key to the determination of the correct size.

The slope is another important matter. Pitch, or in other words, the steepness of your roof, is a crucial factor to take into consideration. It instantly affects the speed at which water gets directed into your gutters. A higher pitch means a higher speed of the water.

At the end of the day, it's all about how much rainfall your area gets. If you live in a dry environment, 5-inch gutters can be good enough. As the rainfall increases, 6-inch gutters are recommended.

Our homes or businesses are buildings that reflect us, and of course, the looks of the gutter should be in line with the general aesthetic of the buildings. Choosing copper as a material for gutters and gutter guards is an excellent option for function and style.

How Do You Decide the Required Gutter Size?

As we have mentioned earlier, there are many variables when it comes to the selection of the correct gutter size. There is a lot of science and mathematics that goes into calculating the proper size of your gutters. A good contractor can help you measure the total square footage of the drainage area of your roof. You only need to make two measurements for the most basic type of roof, which are, length and width. Multiplying these measurements will give you the square footage of your roofs. As a roof becomes more complex, for example, with dormers or hip roofs, the calculation becomes more complicated! You need to calculate and add up each roof's surface area to find the total square footage. Once you or your contractor know the total square footage of drainage required for each gutter, you can adjust your calculations for the other factors.

Downspout Size Should Not Be Overlooked

Gutters are meant to channel water away from your roof and into the downspouts. Then the downspouts direct the water into your drainage and away from your home! So don't get caught up in sales pitches about which gutter size to choose, and make sure your gutter contractor is calculating the downspout sizes as well. 

Don't Forget About The Gutter Guards!

As we all know, gutters are essential for keeping our houses in working order. Their job is to channel rainwater from your roof down into the drainage system to avoid floods in your foundation or property. It is critical to keep them in top shape at all times. Gutters protect our homes' roof, foundation, structure, and base and should never be neglected. A clogged gutter can't allow rainwater to flow appropriately. Leaves or various debris can cause this clogging. A clogged gutter can start to sag and pull away from the roof! This can lead to water damage or various structural problems, from mold growth to foundational damage.

Maintaining your gutters with regular cleaning is essential, but using a gutter guard means taking preventative action. Gutter guards cover the top of your gutters to keep the leaves and debris away, resulting in a healthy water flow through the gutter and the pipes. So, when it comes to gutter protection, gutter guards are essential. 5" gutter systems require gutter guards for 5-inch gutters. Same goes for 6" gutter systems; meaning they require gutter guards for 6-inch gutters. 6-inch micromesh gutter guards are the perfect solution for these problems. As you can see, the types of gutter guards that you are able to use are determined by the type of your gutters.

Conclusion

No matter which size you choose, your gutters and downspouts can become clogged, and water will back up and overflow. Cleaning gutters presents everyone with a dangerous and unpleasant chore. To reduce the stress, we recommend using gutter guards of the appropriate size. 6-inch gutters can handle almost 50% more water than 5-inch gutters, and they provide a better water flow. Accordingly, a 6-inch gutter system is less likely to get clogged up. And when it is time to clean your gutters, 6-inch gutters provide a significant advantage. Since the mouth at the top is one inch wider, the debris is much easier to clean out. If you have a relatively small roof that isn't very steep, a 5" gutter system should do the trick. Otherwise, go for 6-inch gutters. 6-inch gutters are pretty preferable for a few reasons. Such as, the increased water capacity, easier cleaning, and better protection of fascia boards make them ideal.

You can simply call us to learn about anything that pops into your mind. If you need to learn more about gutters and gutter guards, feel free to check our other blog posts such as “Beautiful Gutter Guard Colors to Decorate Your Home” and “What You Should Pay Attention to When Installing Gutter Protection Systems”