Most people go with the standard sized gutters for their home without ever giving any consideration to oversized rainguard gutters. According to those at Global Gutter Systems, some people do not even think that rain gutters of any size are necessary. Before we discuss large gutters, we will first have a look at why a rain drainage system is so important.
What Makes Rain Gutters Necessary?
Unless you live in a desert, you will benefit from rain gutters on your home. The purpose of these gutters is to collect rainwater that falls on the roof of a home. The pitch of the roof will allow water to flow into the gutter system, which itself is slightly pitched to allow water to then flow to a downspout placed at a strategic point along the gutter system. For homes with roofs pitched on either side, there will usually be two downspouts at either end of the house. Large “flat” roofed homes might have a downspout in the middle of the guttering system instead. The job of the downspout is to direct the water away from the base of the home.
Without a gutter system, rainwater will simply pour off the roof onto the ground below. This can cause damage to the base of the house, with water getting into the basement or foundations. If left to continue like this, it could result problems such as mold or, in more serious circumstances, subsidence.
Are Large Gutters a Good Idea?
The standard gutter size is five inches, but it is possible to buy larger widths of up to eight inches. Is this a good idea? Why would anyone need gutters this big?
Of course, not every home would benefit from oversized gutters, but in some circumstances they work very well. For example, you might live in an area surrounded by large trees. You might find that your gutters get clogged every fall when the leaves start dropping. Clogged and cluttered gutters are often akin to not having any gutters at all because the water backs up if it cannot get past the blockage and then starts pouring over the sides.
Larger gutters can handle larger amounts of water and are less likely to clog up with leaves and other debris. If you live in an area that is prone to heavy rainfall, large gutters might be a wise choice.
Large gutters are very striking and are often chosen for their aesthetic appeal. They work particularly well with a half-round style, which are traditionally not very deep.
An oversized gutter is also a good choice for a large roof with only one downspout. Wider gutters can hold more water and debris, and even with only one downspout the risk of damage from leaks is reduced.
As you might imagine, oversized gutters are more expensive than standard gutters, and this can be off putting for those who are trying to save money. Furthermore, they usually need to be installed by professionals, particularly if they are made from heavier materials such as galvanized steel or copper.
Conclusion
Gutters are designed to collect water from the roof of a home and direct it away from the foundations or basement. In very dry climates, gutters may be seen as an unnecessary expense, but having them will prevent water from running down the sides of a home causing damage when it does rain.
For homes in climates that regularly get heavy rainfall, large, oversized gutters are a good choice. They are able to hold more water and are less prone to clogging. However, they are more expensive and need to be professionally installed.
