We're considering replacing the old 5" gutters on our 70's ranch-style home with new ones. The house has a footprint of about 80x40', and the current gutters are in rough shape. They have a copper liner, but I'm unsure if that really matters. We're looking at PlyGem Mastic gutters. Our property is surrounded by hundreds of Hickory trees, so I'm wondering if gutter guards would be a smart addition due to all the nuts that fall. Is 6" gutters the way to go nowadays, or are 5" still adequate and we're just wasting money?
3 Answers
Five inches are still the standard, so if your current gutters are doing the job, I don’t see why you'd need to upgrade. However, 6" can handle about 40% more water, which might be good for your situation. Gutter guards can definitely help keep maintenance down, but remember, they’re not foolproof—you’ll still need to check the gutters occasionally.
I’ve got both sizes—6" on my outbuilding and 5" on my house, and I don’t regret the 5" at all! They handle heavy rain just fine. I think sticking with the 5" could be okay for you, too, as long as they’re in decent shape.
I’d definitely recommend going with the 6" gutters if you can. They're less likely to clog since they have more capacity. As for gutter guards, it really depends—they work for some folks and not for others. Just make sure that if your downspouts are connected to underground drainage, you get a cleanout installed at ground level for easy maintenance.