Installing gutters isn’t as easy as you think. It involves a lot of precise measurements and getting the right materials to ensure the water runoff is properly drained without damaging your roof. For instance, when calculating the square footage of your gutter’s drainage area, a professional contractor will have to consider its design. Since roofs can have multiple facets, they’ll have to add each surface within a drainage area to get the total square footage needed. 

 

 

If you want seamless aluminum guttering for your roof, you need to get it in the right size. Choosing the wrong gutter size can be costly especially if you get the measurements wrong or DIY the whole installation. Instead, make sure you work with a trusted contractor who has the experience necessary to ensure a successful gutter installation. 

 

Determining Roof-Pitch Factor

 

Professional roofers measure your roof’s pitch to help ensure that the gutters will be mounted with the right amount of drainage. This is done by using a 2-foot level and a tape measure, with one end of the level held against the roof. The distance between the roof and the underside of the level is measured at its midpoint to get a 12-inch run. Once you get the measurement of your pitch, the roofers refer to the corresponding roof-pitch factor below:

 

12/12 or higher: 1.3

 

9/12 to 11/12: 1.2

 

6/12 to 8/12: 1.1

 

4/12 to 5/12: 1.05

 

Flat to 3/12: 1

 

Choosing Your Gutter Size

 

To get the right gutter size, your hired roofing and siding contractor will multiply the drainage area by the roof-pitch factor and rainfall intensity to find out the adjusted square footage. The rainfall intensity will depend on where you live, so be sure to check out the U.S. Weather Bureau records to know the maximum rainfall that could happen every five minutes in inches per hour in your region.

 

Two types of gutters offer different sizes. K-style gutters are available in 5-inch 5,520 square feet and 6-inch 7,960 square feet. For half-round gutters, you can get them in either 5-inch 2,500 square feet or 6-inch 3,840 square feet. Getting a gutter size that’s too small for your roof can cause problems for your home later on, while a gutter that’s too big might be too heavy and unnecessary with the average amount of rainfall in your area. Be sure to work with a trusted contractor to accurately determine the right size for your home!

 

If you’re looking for a trusted contractor in gutter installation and wood & shakes shingles, Versatile Roofing, LLC has got you covered! Call us today at (888) 809-7663 toll-free for more information. You can also reach us at (402) 884-7668 if you’re in Omaha, (402) 477-7663 if you’re in Lincoln, or (308) 234-7663 if you live in Kearney. You can also fill out our convenient online contact form.