Gutter Sizing: The Basics

Poorly-sized gutters can result in damage — not just to the gutters themselves but to the house foundations. This underlines the importance of making sure your contractor chooses the right sizes when replacing your gutters. In today’s post, Chase Roofing LLC shares a quick guide to the basics of gutter sizing.

Factors That Determine Gutter Size

There are three factors that determine the appropriate gutter size:

• Roof pitch. The roof pitch determines the rate rainwater will flow into the gutters. That is, the steeper the roof, the faster the gutters will fill up.

• Roof square footage. The roof area determines the amount of rainwater that falls on the roof. Therefore, the bigger it is, the greater the amount of rainwater that will flow into the gutters.

• Heaviest recorded rainfall in the area. This is used to determine the gutter system’s maximum capacity.

The gutter profile is also considered if the homeowner has stated a preference. K-style gutters typically have a higher capacity than half-round gutters of the same size. If the homeowner prefers the latter, then a bigger size will need to be installed.

Common Gutter Sizes

While gutters come in various sizes, the most common are 5- and 6-inch ones. It may not sound like much, but a single inch makes a big difference in terms of capacity. 5-inch gutters are suitable for homes with a medium-pitch roof and located in an area with average rainfall levels. If your home has a steeper roof or your area experiences heavy downpours frequently, your gutter contractor may instead recommend 6-inch gutters.

If all of this sounds complicated, don’t worry: you won’t be asked to make your own calculations. Your local gutter professional will do that for you. During a consultation with a gutter contractor, details such as gutter profile, material and accessories like gutter protection systems will, of course, be up to you.

Find out more about how your gutter professionals at Chase Roofing LLC can help you choose the right gutters by giving us a call at (757) 872-0700 or (757) 206-1948. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve Hampton, VA, and the surrounding communities.