Have you ever seen a house with a super steep roof and a very large gutter? You might have thought to yourself: “wow, that’s a large gutter,” but in terms of gutter sizes for houses, large gutters are actually more common than you might think. In fact, some feel that large gutters are better because they are able to handle more water run-off from the roof. This in turn prevents potential water damage to the sidings of your house, and your gutters do not become overwhelmed by too much rainfall.

Your gutter length and gutter width both matter greatly when it comes to choosing the right gutter size for your home. Standard residential gutter sizes can range from 4-5 inches in width, but some opt for a larger gutter size. Larger gutter sizes typically range from 6-7 inches in width depending on what size you decide to go with. Gutter lengths are usually broken up into seamless sections, so the length of your gutter mainly depends on the structure of your roof. Some people opt for a 20 foot gutter, which they can then cut into smaller sections if need be.

The Benefits of Having a Large Gutter

Oversized or large gutters are not necessarily a good fit for every household. However, for those with more complicated roof structures (and steep roofs, especially), a large gutter can be very efficient at catching rainwater and protecting your home from water damage. In fact, large gutters are recommended for homeowners who have a metal roof on their house due to the speed at which water runs down metal.

You want to be sure that your gutters are going to catch and drain most of the water that runs down your roof, so if you have a metal roof or a particularly steep roof design, consider implementing a large or oversized gutter system. If you’re not sure what gutter size your home needs, you can always schedule a free consultation with Storm Master Gutters. Our gutter professionals are happy to answer any questions you might have, and you can rest assured that they will be able to recommend the best gutter size for your home.

Large gutters also have a much more capable capacity when it comes to handling debris like small sticks and Autumn leaves. Debris is less likely to cause clogging in your gutter system if you have a large gutter because water will be able to flow more efficiently, eventually clearing out the leaves and various debris. This is a relief for many homeowners because clogging is a big issue that can put unnecessary strain on your gutter system, oftentimes causing leaks and cracks to appear.

What is the Point in Different Gutter Sizes?

If large gutters are so great, then why are there even different gutter sizes available? For some, it’s a matter of aesthetics and personal preference, but depending on your roof’s structure and the amount of rainfall in your area, it is not always necessary to implement the largest possible gutter within your gutter system. Basically, it’s overkill. You don’t need to spend extra money on a large gutter if your house does not need it.

The standard gutter size is 5 inches, which tends to work well for people who don’t live in areas with ridiculous amounts of rainfall. Smaller gutters are not usually recommended, but some homeowners with flat or only slightly slanted roofs choose to opt for 4 inch gutters. It’s ultimately up to you, but that being said, you’re going to want to be wary of impromptu rainstorms that can fill up your gutters fast.

How to Determine What Gutter Size is Best for Your Home

If you need help determining what gutter size you want to use for your home, you can always reach out to Storm Master Gutters for advice! If you want to figure it out for yourself, though, the process is relatively simple (though admittedly, it will require some math). As previously mentioned, the standard gutter size is 5-6 inches in most places, but maybe you have a very specific and complicated roofing situation.

An average gable roof only requires 2 measurements — one on each side. With more complicated roofs like hip roofs, though, the necessary calculations can get a little bit confusing. For example, a hip roof with 4 sides would require 4 measurements in order to determine how much pressure your roof is going to put on the gutter system. The length and width of each side of your roof, when added together, will give you the total drainage area.

Maximum Rainfall Intensity

If you are not sure what the maximum rainfall intensity is in your area, your local Weather Bureau should be able to provide you with that information. If your area’s maximum rainfall intensity is relatively low, you shouldn’t need a gutter larger than 5 inches. If your area’s maximum rainfall intensity is on the higher side (or if your area is especially prone to storms), you’ll definitely want to consider implementing a gutter that is 6 inches or more.

Custom Large Gutters and Extra Downspouts

If the maximum rainfall intensity in your area in combination with the slope and square footage of your roof greatly exceeds the suggested gutter sizes of 5 or 6 inches, you can pay more to have a 7 or 8 inch gutter made for your home. Although it’s more expensive, it is definitely better to be safe than sorry if you live in an area with especially excessive rainfall.

Another option is to invest in extra gutter downspouts, which will help control the overflow of rainwater in your gutters. Implementing a downspout every 40-50 feet can work wonders for the overall functionality of your gutter system, especially if your home is on the larger side. Storm Master Gutters can certainly help you with this if need be!

Final Thoughts

Gutters come in all sorts of sizes; it is just a matter of figuring out which gutter size is right for you. Remember, larger gutters are great for those with steep roofs who live in areas with very heavy rainfall. Even if your area doesn’t get a lot of rain, you can rest assured that a large gutter will hold up in the event of a storm, which can happen anywhere.