Gutters are an important part of your home’s drainage system. They catch and direct rainwater away from your home, preventing roof and foundation damage.
However, you need to know how to measure gutter size before installing one. A gutter system will only do its job well if it’s the right size for the roof system.
If you install undersized gutters, they’ll clog frequently and cause overflows, which may result in structural damage. On the other hand, oversized gutters will hold a lot more water, but they will look out of place around your roofing. You’ll also end up spending more money than necessary.
Forever Exteriors, the top choice for gutter installation in Cumming, GA, discusses how to measure gutter size in this post.
If you have an old perfect-fit gutter system that worked well, measure the gutter depth and gutter width and go for a similar option.
However, if you’re looking to install a gutter system from scratch for the first time, you have to do a bit more calculation.
If you're wondering how to measure gutter size for your home, this is the first step. To calculate the roof square footage, measure the length and width of every roof section you want to attach the new gutters to.
Next, multiply the length and width of each section and sum up everything. The total sum is your roof’s square footage.
The roof pitch measures how much it slants for every 12-inch horizontal run. You’ll need a level and a measuring tape for this stage. Place the level horizontally, with one end touching the roof.
Measure out a horizontal 12-inch line from where the level touches the roof. Mark the 12-inch point, then measure down to the roof. The final measurement is your roof’s pitch.
The roof multiplier will vary depending on your roof pitch measurement. Without going too deep into the calculations, here’s a quick summary to work with:
After you arrive at your multiplier, use it to multiply your roof square footage. The result is the right gutter size you need for your home.
As a general guide, you’ll need four-inch gutters if your result is between 3,500 and 5,500. Five-inch gutters work best for multiplier results between 5,520 and 7,500. For any result above 7,500, you should go for six-to-seven-inch gutters. These numbers work well for the rainfall intensity in Cummin, GA.
Do you still need help determining how to measure gutter size for your Cumming, GA, home? Do you have other questions to ask a roofer? Forever Exteriors can help. Call today to schedule a consultation.
