What’s the difference between a 5” & 6” gutter system?
When you picture gutters on a house, there is a high likelihood the type you visualize is K Style, which makes sense because it’s the single most popular variation installed in North America.
The typical size of K Style gutters installed is a toss-up between 5-inch and 6-inch. And, yes – that extra inch does make a difference, in fact, 6-inch gutters can hold about 50% more water than 5-inch gutters! 6-inch gutters are installed with bigger ,3”x4” downspouts (5-inch gutters are installed with 2”x3” downspouts) for better water management.
When choosing the size of your gutter, we need to take into consideration a couple of factors:
Size of Your Home / Roof Planes
Roof’s Pitch
Amount of Rainfall in Your Area
Size of Your Home/Roof Planes
The optimal size of the gutter you need will depend on the amount of water the gutter needs to handle. The bigger the square footage of the roof, the more water goes into the gutter. If your shingles are more than 1.5 inches past the roof edge, water will most likely overshoot the gutter during a heavier rainstorm. In this case, we also recommend a 6” gutter as a longer overhang equals less water in the gutter.
Roof’s Pitch
Pitch (how steep your roof is) is another key factor to consider when choosing your gutter size. The speed at which water gets directed into your gutter increases with the pitch. A higher pitch results in a higher speed of water flow. Gutters need to be appropriately selected to accommodate water accumulation and get it delivered to the downspouts and away from the structure of your home.
Rainfall in your area
At the end of the day, it comes down to how much rainfall your area gets. If you live in a dry environment that does not get much rainfall, 5” gutters could be good for you. In the Northern Virginia area, where we tend to get large downpours in a short amount of time, we recommend 6” gutters for a lot of homes.
Summary
Overall, 6-inch gutters can be a good investment for homeowners who live in areas with heavy rainfall or have larger/steeper roofs. Larger gutter systems are less likely to get clogged up because they can handle more water flow. However, the specific size of gutters needed for your home will depend on various factors, and it's important to consult with a professional contractor to determine the best option for your specific needs.
