Rain Gutter Sizes: Which Is The Best?

The average residential homeowner might not realize that rain gutters come in several dimensions. Rain gutter sizes vary because different homes have unique water runoff needs. Before purchasing rain gutters, consult an established, knowledgeable roofing professional about the options.

Understanding Standard Rain Gutter Sizes

Rain gutters most commonly come in 5-inch and 6-inch widths. The 5-inch width works well in drier climates where homeowners are less concerned about rainfall, while the 6-inch width is suitable for situations where homes incur moderate or heavy rain. However, your width preference may depend on whether you have K-style, half-round, or designer gutters. Also note that 5-inch wide gutters usually are 3½ inches deep, and 6-inch wide gutters are routinely 3¾ inches deep.

K-Style Gutter Systems

K-style gutters are the most popular style among homeowners. Known for their durability, reliability, and installation ease, they typically come in a 5-inch width. Houses with large roofing surface areas or homes that routinely face heavy rainfalls may benefit from a K-style gutter system with a 6-inch width to channel the accumulating water efficiently.

Half-Round Gutter Systems

Although not as common as K-style gutter systems, half-round gutters are becoming an increasingly acceptable alternative. Customarily manufactured from metal such as aluminum, copper, zinc, galvalume, or galvanized steel, half-round gutters tend to be heavier and more expensive than K-style systems. They typically come in a 6-inch width.

Designer Fascia-Style Gutter Systems

Designer (fascia-style) gutters have become a trendy option for today’s homeowners. While most gutter systems are secured to a home’s fascia boards, designer gutters are part of the fascia board itself. Consequently, designer gutters exhibit a streamlined appearance that offers added curb appeal. Typically, they provide a larger gutter channel and a 6-inch width.

What Size Rain Gutters Best Suit Your Home?

Choosing the right rain gutter size requires due diligence. As a homeowner, you should understand some basic tenets of rain gutter sizing. Generally, the larger or steeper your roof, the more water flow your gutters system must process. In other words, you likely need a broader or deeper gutter channel. Similarly, if your home is located where moderate or heavy rainfalls frequently occur, your home will benefit from a wider size.

Account For Your Home’s Roof Pitch

A steeply sloped roof sheds rainfall into the rain gutter much faster than a low-sloped or flat roof. Thus, the gutter system needs a greater capacity to handle significant amounts of rain quickly. Most expert roofing professionals recommend a 6-inch-wide gutter for homes with a highly angled roof pitch.

Measuring pitch can be determined with a two-foot level and a tape measure. Although a homeowner can calculate a roof’s pitch with these devices, most roofing professionals recommend a highly-trained roofing contractor to estimate the roof’s pitch because they possess appropriate safety equipment to access the roof surface.

Calculate Your Region’s Average Rainfall

To understand your area’s typical rainfall, estimate the rainfall rate. It is calculated by the amount of rain that falls in inches per hour. Multiplying the rainfall rate by your gutter’s total drainage area determines the rainfall-adjusted roof size. Depending on your gutter style, you can select the appropriate gutter size.

Many expert gutter installers recommend obtaining data and information about the maximum rainfall that could occur during a 5-minute period (measured in inches per hour). The U.S. Weather Bureau typically maintains these records for public view. The higher the rainfall amount in this window, the wider the recommended gutter.

Consider Your Roof Surface’s Square Footage

To figure out your roof’s square footage, first know a few terms:

1. Hip roof – all sides slope downwards to the walls.
2. Ridge – typically a roof’s highest point, where two sloped areas meet.
3. Valley – generally a roof’s lowest juncture, where two sloped areas meet along a metal channel.
4. Hip end – the triangle-shaped end.

Involve a knowledgeable roofing professional to estimate the length and width of each area of your roof. For every area individually, multiply the length by its width to calculate its square footage. Add the square footage measurements of all individual areas of your roof to obtain the total square footage of your roof’s surface.

Hiring A Reputable Rain Gutter Installation Professional

For homeowners in the Pacific Northwest, S&S Roofing delivers unmatched roofing services. Because the weather in this region involves frequent rainfalls, including heavy downpours, rain gutters are an essential component of any home. Without an optimally functioning gutter system, a home faces a substantial risk of moisture intrusion or worse. Avoid this outcome with a customizable rain gutter and downspout system that channels water safely and efficiently to an area of your property away from your home where moisture damage cannot occur.

At S&S Roofing, we proudly work with Pacific Northwest homeowners to address their roofing needs. Contact us today to learn more about our exceptional roofing services or to schedule an appointment and receive a free estimate.