The first house I built I didn't know any better and used 4" gutters and downpipes. Within a year I was adding more downpipes to handle the flow.

Of course, all components should be sized for the area of roof being drained and your climate. What works in New Mexico probably won't suit Portland.

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6 inch eavestrough
Photo: Groover Roofing & Siding

Have you seen half-round gutters?
I'm thinking of getting them, with nice gutters leading to rainwater catchment barrels.
Anybody have thoughts?

Thanks for the pic, Worthy. We're in the Midwest and we've had numerous downpours this year. We have quite a bit of roof. I've been looking around our area though and don't see any that look like 6".

srercrcr, I haven't seen half round gutters.

Here's a pic of half-rounds....

How high up are the gutters?

What might look large on a first floor run often looks just fine on a second story run, especially if the fascia is larger to go with the gutters.

I'm finally getting some pictures posted so I thought I'd see what you all think. I'm meeting the guy at 10am to go over the details and we're leaning towards 6". He said with the amount of roof we have, he wouldn't go less than that. Other 2 bids said we could go either way.
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Thanks athensmomof3. I'll do a little more research yet this morning and ask him about that.

Err on going too big. My gutters work really well except when it is raining. Too much water pours down in the valleys. It skips the gutter and waterfalls down. One spot is right by the front door. We do have a gutter helmet. The builder put up fences at the Vs. The fence catches leaves, but not water. Go the largest size recommended.

That's a lot of roof. As important as the gutters are the downspouts. Use large ones and not sparingly. For instance, along the side in your second photo at least three. And don't let them just drop onto a lower roof where they will stress and stain the shingles.

We decided on the 6". After driving around and looking at everyone's gutters (which one NEVER does if they are not in the process of buying them), I do realize that 6" would not look big on the house. Thrilled to have that off my list. I was about as sick of talking about them as I was the windows. Thanks much for the input!

Crap, now I have to decide this too. I wasn't given a choice of 4". I was given a choice of 5" or 6". My GC said either would be fine as long as I went with bigger downspouts. Also, how do you choose a color? To match the roof of the trim?

trim

Hi,
We always use half-rounds on our jobs because we work on vintage houses, almost to the exclusion of others. This porch we built last month has 6" half-rounds, The main house had 5" LOL.
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Casey

Very nice indeed. All galvanized would be the best way to go, right? Painted downspouts might look the best. I'm gonna run mine into a rainwater catchment system.

I love that swing from the tree! It has the longest chains ever! :)

I'm almost afraid to ask but are half round more expensive?

It's like $22/ft/installed in my area for galv. Copper's more, depending on the spot price for the metal. Labor's the same.
Casey

Can you add the photos again… in same situation with gutters and can’t seem to find photos of 6in installs. Thank you!!

Slim chance of getting an answer onn a 14 yo thread. Either google pics or start a new thread. These people are long gone.