Efficient Drainage Larger gutters, e.g., those 6-inches in size, can drain much more water than the 5-inch ones and in a shorter time. When installed together with the oversized downspout, water runs off at a faster rate. Larger downspouts can also easily filter out debris passing through from the gutters.
Simply put, they can handle more — water, leaves and debris. Larger gutters reduce the risk of clogging and water overflow, which is a major plus in areas with heavy rainfall. This helps you save on maintenance and ensures you won't need a complete roof replacement anytime soon.
6 Inch Gutters Hold 50% More Water Than 5 Inch Gutters
A simple upgrade from 5″ to 6″ gutters can boost your rain collection considerably.
While 5-inch gutters are the standard size, some homeowners opt for larger ones. 6-inch gutters are more expensive, but they can handle large amounts of water and are less likely to get clogged.
A 2x3 inch downspout can handle roughly 600 square feet of roof area for every inch of rainfall within an hour. On the other hand, a 3x4 inch downspout can handle twice that - 1200 square feet of roof area per inch of rainfall in an hour.
This can make installation more complex and potentially more expensive compared to K-style gutters. The unique design and potentially more complex installation process often lead to a higher overall cost for half-round gutters compared to their K-style counterparts.
5” gutters typically get the 2×3” downspout, so be aware that if you add 3×4” downspouts to 5” gutters, it will look very odd. Since work must be done to add your additional, larger downspout, now would be the best time to switch out to 6” gutters, as well.
On average, for 6” aluminum gutters, the cost per foot is about 50 cents to 1 dollar higher than the cost of 5”.
The downspout requirements for five and six inch gutters are about the same even though gutter downspout sizes vary. The general guideline for downspouts is one for every 25 feet of gutter, with 40 feet between downspouts being the maximum limit.
Half-Round gutters are the most efficient gutter shape and flush out debris more effectively due to their rounded shape which makes it one of the best gutter types. Their name describes them perfectly, as they are half of a circular pipe with the top half open for water.
If your gutters or downspout is too small, it becomes vulnerable to being overwhelmed by the water that it can't handle. Too small gutters can also result in damage such as sagging or separating joints because of the weight of water.
Seamless gutters are generally more durable due to the lack of joints that can weaken over time. Each section of a seamless gutter is a continuous piece of material, which means there are fewer opportunities for leaks and structural weaknesses.
Gutters do not necessarily add to the value of your home. If you spend $2,000 on gutters, your home's appraisal value probably won't increase by $2,000. That doesn't mean they're a bad investment though. In fact, they could be one of the best investments you make for your home.
The general rule of thumb is for metal roofing to overhang the gutters by no more than 50mm (approximately 2 inches). Any further will change the look of your home, curb appeal and how the excess water flows from the roof to the gutters during a storm.
6-inch gutters are less likely to get clogged up because they can handle more water flow, and they come with a bigger outlet. If you have a small home with a roof that isn't very steep, 5” gutters will suffice. Otherwise, go for 6” gutters.
5-inch K-style gutters are the best size for roof areas under 5,500 square feet. If your roof is between 5,500 and 8,000 square feet, a 6-inch gutter is optimal.
Your gutters should have a downspout around every 30 to 40 feet. This typically means installing downspouts at both ends of a gutter section.
To ensure proper coverage and protection, bury your downspout extension at least 12 inches deep. This depth helps protect the pipe from surface activities and ensures efficient water drainage.
More Protection from Water Damage
The main purpose of gutters is to reduce the risk of water damage. Larger gutters bump up the level of protection because they have the capacity to convey larger amounts of water from the roof and away from land in less time.
Even though aluminum costs a little more than vinyl, gutters from this material provide an excellent return on investment because of their performance and long life span. They also cost less to install than other gutter materials. The price difference is partly due to aluminum's low weight and ubiquity.
Many roofing contractors offer gutter installation as part of a complete package. Think of it as a “one-stop-shop” scenario where you don't have to juggle multiple contractors. Roofers understand how gutters need to be attached without compromising the roofline or voiding any warranties.
If your roof's square footage requires 5-inch gutters, you'll need a 2-inch by 3-inch downspout. That creeps up to a 3-inch by 4-inch downspout for 6-inch gutters. It's necessary to create custom downspout solutions for gutters wider than 6-inches that are being installed to address excessive pitch or rainfall levels.
Put brackets at 1 metre centres for half-round, deep flow, square guttering and mini guttering systems. Put brackets at 60cm centres for industrial guttering such as 160mm, 170mm and 200mm. Put brackets at 80cm for Ogee guttering systems.
An insufficient number of downspouts can lead to water overflow, while too many can disrupt the aesthetic appeal of your home's exterior.