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Pros and Cons of Gutter Guards

6 INCH Gutters

Gutters come in various shapes and sizes, and selecting the right gutter system for your home can seem daunting. However, don’t worry! With the supervision and consultation of a responsible and experienced gutter service agency, 6 inch gutters are traditionally found on properties with larger roofs than a standard home, such as commercial properties. They are also becoming more popular in residential applications, particularly in areas with heavy rainfall. 6 inch gutters are larger than standard 5 inch ones, though they are available in many of the same styles and colors. If you are considering installing 6 inch gutters on your home, understanding the installation process and the benefits of 6 inch gutters over 5 inch gutters can help you make an informed decision.

Are 6 inch gutters worth it?

Plants growing out of rain gutter.

Performing a cost-benefit analysis, taking your property’s needs and your budget into consideration, is the only way to determine if 6 inch gutters are worth it for you. Some factors to consider are the amount of rainfall in your local area, the frequency of storms, your proximity to trees and other large vegetation, and the aesthetics of your property. 6 inch gutters can be especially beneficial if you live in an area with significant rainfall and frequent storms, as they can withstand the elements more effectively than their 5 inch counterparts. They are also capable of channeling 50% more water than traditional 5 inch gutters, so if you find your gutter system overflowing regularly, 6 inch gutters may be an excellent choice for you.

6 inch gutters have the added benefit of being highly resistant to clogs because they have fewer tight channels for leaf debris to get stuck in. Finally, it is currently very trendy to showcase your gutters from a home aesthetics perspective. Gone are the days of trying to minimize the appearance of your gutters, and we welcome the era of highlighting your home’s hardest-working exterior feature. The decision of whether or not 6 inch gutters are worth it is up to you, but if you identify with any of the previously mentioned details, consulting a gutter provider and discussing your options would be a great choice for determining your next steps.

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How much do 6 inch gutters cost?

The 6 inch gutters price is more expensive than 5 inch gutters price because they require more material and a sturdier installation procedure. Generally speaking, 6 inch gutters cost about 50 cents to $1 more than 5 inch gutters. While the material and labor cost to install gutters certainly adds up, the benefits of installing 6 inch gutter systems often outweigh the initial cost. Some of these benefits include reduced clogging risk, increased carrying capacity, and resistance to sudden storm damage. Additionally, the aesthetic value of 6 inch gutters should not be underestimated. They can significantly enhance your home’s value if installed correctly and with design considerations in mind. The bold lines of 6 inch gutters can provide a striking contrast to your home and create a modern look that’s highly valued in today’s housing market. 

What is the difference between 5 inch and 6 inch gutters?

Simply put, the main difference between 5 inch and 6 inch gutter dimensions is volume. To put it in perspective, think back to your school days for a moment. In geometry, you were taught that the formula for the area of a circle is A = πr², which is roughly analogous to twice the cross-sectional shape of most gutters. The most important thing to remember about this shape is that the value is dependent on the radius squared. While mathematics is not the focus of an article about 6 inch gutters, it can provide context for the size difference between 5 inch and 6 inch gutters. For example, the cross-sectional area of a 5 inch gutter is 9.8 sq. in., while it is 14.1 sq. in. for 6 inch gutters. Over the length of a gutter system, this equates to a significant volume difference. In a 10-foot gutter, the 6 inch gutter dimensions will be able to hold roughly 2.25 more gallons of water than the 5 inch gutter at any single point in time. In fact, in volume experiments, 6 inch gutters have been shown to hold 40% more volume per unit length than their 5 inch counterparts.

Hand installing the corners of a gutter

Other differences in gutters may include materials, styles, and installation. 5 inch gutters are the most common type of residential gutter in the United States, and as such, there is increased demand for a variety of styles and colors. However, 6 inch gutters are growing in popularity for residential applications, so there are significantly more design options available today than ten years ago. The different parts of gutters are the downspout and the main gutter body, both of which are oversized for 6 inch gutters. The difference in installation is also something to consider for 6 inch gutters, as they often require a slightly more intensive process to ensure they are securely attached to your home and will not suffer damage from loose fastening. This is a challenge that responsible guttering agencies can handle without difficulty, so consulting with your trusted gutter provider is the best way to ensure you are receiving the highest quality gutters for the best value. Generally, the price difference between 5 inch and 6 inch gutters is due to the materials cost only.

Why Use 6 Inch Gutters on a House

6 inch gutters are often used on commercial properties, but that doesn’t mean your house will look like one if you choose to install them. These oversized gutters can be great for residential applications, creating a distinguished and modern look that 5 inch gutters cannot match. The three main reasons why you would use 6 inch gutters on a house are a steep roof pitch, large roof surface area, and curb appeal.

If you have a steep roof, you likely already know how quickly rainwater moves off the roof surface. It’s incredible what a few degrees of elevation can do to the velocity of sheets of precipitation. As such, 5 inch gutters often find it challenging to deal with high-velocity water and may overflow and spill out, potentially causing foundation damage over time. Six inch gutters are wide enough to handle this high-speed water, ensuring there are no spills even in the worst storms.

Clogged gutter with plants growing
orange leaves on a roof

Having a roof with a large surface area, especially over 1400 square feet, can contribute to similar problems as those of a steep roof pitch. The sheer quantity of water that large roofs collect cannot be effectively managed by 5 inch gutters, making 6 inch gutters a no-brainer for homeowners with large houses and climates prone to heavy rain. Even if the rain and storms are seasonal, it’s best to prevent overflowing gutters at any time because water damage to your foundation can happen quickly. So, the less exposure to flood-like conditions, the better.

Why 6 Inch Gutters Are Better Than 5 Inch Gutters

The question of whether five or six inch gutters are better depends on your specific needs and property. Six inch gutters are better than five inch gutters, especially in cases where your five inch gutters are not effectively handling the water coming off your roof during heavy rainstorms. Your five inch gutters may hold up fine during light rain, but if they overflow during heavy bouts, it might be time for an upgrade. As you can see, six inch gutters are superior to five inch gutters in certain cases, and the advantage of six inch gutters is that you will never have too little gutter coverage for your home.

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Do 6 inch gutters make a difference?

Heavy rain fall flowing out of gutter spout

While your gutters may not be superheroes saving the world anytime soon, they are certainly contributing to the health and well-being of your home. Depending on the size and pitch of your roof, 5 inch gutters might not protect your home as effectively as you’d like. Smaller gutters are more prone to overflowing, clogging, and damage from storms. These are all situations where 6 inch gutters do indeed make a difference with their increased ability to handle larger volumes of water at higher velocities. 6 inch gutters excel in resisting damage and effectively diverting water without overflowing even during the most significant storms.

6 inch gutters also make a difference to your home’s exterior. They protect your fascia boards more effectively from sideways precipitation and add distinctive bold lines that accentuate your house’s features. Though the traditional style involved making gutters as inconspicuous as possible, modern design trends in residential property development include installing 6 inch gutters in bold colors to make them more of a statement piece. Your gutters deserve the extra recognition for tirelessly protecting your home’s walls and foundation!

new roof with gutter rain system

Do you need gutter guards on 6 inch gutters?

leaves overflowing a gutter

With 6 inch gutters, you needn’t worry about storms, leaves, and heavy rainfall for the most part. However, even though 6 inch gutters are more resistant to clogging, ensuring they are 100% safe from this issue by using 6 inch gutter guards can save money in the long run. If you live near large trees that shed prolifically in the fall, gutter guards can save you a lot of time in cleanup and repairs to your gutters. Gutter guards help protect the interior of your gutters from being laden with leaf debris, which can overwhelm even the largest gutters if left untreated. Gutter guards come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, so you have plenty of options depending on the types of debris that tend to get stuck in your gutters. Speaking with a professional Gutter Service Agency is the best way to determine what kind of gutter guards would work best for your property. However, if you don’t want gutter guards with 6 inch gutters, that is still perfectly okay; you may just have to perform more regular maintenance, such as flushing your gutters in the fall.

What is the most popular gutter size?

The most popular gutter size in residential properties is 5 inch gutters for most of the United States. However, 6 inch gutters are gaining popularity as homeowners face large amounts of precipitation that traditional gutter systems just can’t handle. The great news is that 6 inch gutters can still be an aesthetic and functional addition to your home, so there’s no need to be concerned about whether different-sized gutters will negatively impact your home. Something to consider is that there are more design options available with 5 inch gutters in the current market. However, there is still a wide variety available in the 6 inch variety, so unless you desire a particularly unique gutter style, 6 inch gutters may be the right choice for you.

plants growing out of gutters

What size of downspout is necessary for 6 inch gutters?

While you can use the standard size downspout for 6 inch gutters, it isn’t recommended. The standard size hole in a downspout may not be able to accommodate the large amounts of water at high velocities rushing through it, which are characteristic of 6 inch gutter systems. Using a standard downspout often causes increased clogging and poses more of a risk for winter damage than the oversized downspouts that are recommended for 6 inch gutters. 6 inch gutter downspouts that are specifically made for oversized gutters can be very useful for diverting water and reducing the risk of clogs and damage caused by improper downspout size. Additionally, ensuring you are using the proper downspout size will make your gutters look more proportional in relation to the rest of your house.

If you’re considering investing in the installation of 6 inch gutters on your home, consulting with a responsible gutter service provider can be the best way to determine the right gutter size for your needs. Additionally, if you would like advice on design choices, budgeting, and material options, experienced gutter agencies are the best place to go. If you are trying to locate a great gutter agency in your area, look online, check out the reviews, and ask your neighbors for their opinions on local agencies. If your gutter service provider is anything like Gutter Pros, it will have excellent reviews, many years of experience, and outstanding local testimonials. When it comes to gutter installation, don’t settle for anything less than the best quality for the best value! If you are looking for a responsible and experienced gutter service provider, contact Gutter Pros for a consultation.

Ladder resting under gutter