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Gutter Sizes & Volume Capacity
Is There a Standard Size?
Breaking the Mold: Reshaping Standard Sizes
The standard size for residential seamless gutters depends largely on your region of the country along with the size and style of your home. Many homeowners are upgrading to 6″, 7″, or even 8″ ‘oversized’ gutters. Though a 6″ gutter is only an inch bigger than a 5″, it can handle 40% more water. In some cases, larger or “oversized” gutters are necessary on your home or a specific portion of your roofline.
What Size Is necessary For Your Home?
When to CONSIDER A 5-INCH GUTTER:
- Under 40’ gutter with 1 downspout
- Over 40’ gutter with 2+ downspouts
- No overflow during average rainfall
- Asphalt shingles with proper drip edge
- 5” Gutters should not be used to catch runoff from upper roofs with gutters
While larger gutters have gained popularity, the 5-inch gutter, once considered a standard size, still remains a viable choice for some homes, particularly in certain regions of the country. It can handle average rainfall and is cost-effective, especially in areas with lower precipitation.
When to CONSIDER A 6-INCH GUTTER:
- Over 40’ gutter with 1 downspout
- Lower gutter collecting upper gutter rain
- Long runs over 60’
- Large roofs concentrating rain runoff into a short gutter run
- Roofs with inside valleys collecting fast moving water overflowing in rains
- Metal Roofs
We've witnessed a significant rise in installations of 6" seamless gutters in recent years. Given the considerable variation in roof pitch among homes, it is crucial to design a custom gutter system that suits your specific roof. The pitch greatly affects how rainwater flows into the gutters, and many homeowners have found their smaller 5" gutters overflow during heavy rain. 6-inch gutters can handle approximately 40% more volume than a 5″ gutter system. Below are additional factors that need to be considered when deciding between 5-inch and 6-inch gutters for residential housing.
When to CONSIDER A 7-INCH GUTTER:
- Overflow protection in normal rain
- Volume of rain water is higher than what a 6-inch gutter can handle
- Multiple gutters flowing rain to one gutter
- Tile, Concrete Shingles, or Spanish style roofs may require a wider gutter
- Areas with a significant amount of rainfall
In some situations, 6-inch gutters may not be large enough to meet the requirements. For such cases, many locations offer 7-inch or 8-inch gutters. These larger gutter sizes are particularly suitable for regions with significant rainfall or heavy downpours, roof styles that demand wider gutter systems for efficient rainwater collection, and homes with varying gutter heights. The availability of these larger sizes may vary depending on the location. Please inquire for specifics in your location.
