5-Inch vs. 6-Inch Gutters: Which Handles Florida Cloudbursts Better?
In most parts of the country, a 5-inch gutter is the "standard" choice. But as any Florida homeowner knows, our weather is anything but standard. Between the daily 4:00 PM summer downpours and the intense deluges of hurricane season, your drainage system is asked to move thousands of gallons of water in a matter of minutes.
At Gutters By Design, the most common question we get is: "Is that extra inch really worth it?" The short answer? In Florida, that extra inch is often the difference between a dry home and a sinking slab. Here is the breakdown of why 6-inch seamless gutters are becoming the gold standard for the Sunshine State.
1. The 40% Capacity Rule
It doesn't sound like much, but a 6-inch gutter holds nearly 40% to 50% more water than a 5-inch system.
- The Math: A 5-inch gutter can handle approximately 1.2 gallons of water per foot, while a 6-inch gutter jumps to 2.0 gallons.
- The Florida Reality:
During a tropical "cloudburst," rain falls so fast that 5-inch gutters often reach capacity instantly. Once full, the water "overshoots" the gutter, dumping directly onto your foundation or into your flower beds.
2. Bigger Gutters Mean Bigger Downspouts
When you upgrade to 6-inch gutters, you also upgrade the "highway" that carries the water away.
- 3x4 is the Magic Number: Standard 5-inch gutters usually use small 2x3 downspouts. 6-inch systems use 3x4 oversized downspouts.
- Why it matters:
In Florida, our trees (like Live Oaks and Slash Pines) drop debris year-round. These larger downspouts allow small sticks and leaves to flush through the system instead of creating a "clog point" that backs up into your roofline.
3. Handling Steep Roof Pitches
Many Florida homes feature beautiful, steep rooflines or complex gables.
- The Physics: The steeper your roof, the faster the water travels. By the time that water reaches the edge of your roof, it has high velocity.
- The Solution: A 6-inch gutter provides a wider "target" for that fast-moving water. It catches the runoff that would simply leap over the edge of a smaller 5-inch trough.
4. Protecting Your Fascia and Slab
In Florida, we don't have basements, but we do have sandy soil and concrete slabs.
- Slab Erosion: When 5-inch gutters overflow, they create a "trench" around your house. This erodes the sand supporting your slab, leading to foundation cracks.
- Wood Rot:
Smaller gutters are more prone to "back-splashing" against your fascia boards. In our humidity, this leads to rapid wood rot and expensive repairs.
The Verdict: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
While 5-inch gutters are slightly cheaper upfront, the cost difference is usually minimal—often only $1 to $2 more per linear foot. Considering that a single foundation repair or fascia replacement in Florida can cost thousands, the 6-inch upgrade is the smartest "insurance policy" you can buy for your home.
Get a Professional Assessment from Gutters By Design
Not every home needs 6-inch gutters, but most Florida homes benefit from them. At Gutters By Design, we use local rainfall data and your roof's specific square footage to calculate the exact system you need to stay dry.
