Dry, with less-than-average annual precipitation totals but varying precipitation levels from heavy snow to sudden downpours. This is how you would describe Colorado’s climate, which is, retrospectively, desirable. Thanks to it being an inland state far from large bodies of water and with a higher elevation, Colorado has lower humidity levels that make for enjoyable summers and a more tolerable climate for those who suffer from seasonal allergies or respiratory issues.
Our climate is ideal and offers great weather during all four seasons, but have you ever stopped to think about how much our precipitation levels vary? From heavy snow to sudden downpours, our homes need to be ready for varying precipitation and be able to keep up with heavy snowfall or rainfall amounts. Proper gutter sizing for Colorado homes is necessary to protect your home from drainage issues. Keep reading to learn about the importance of gutter sizing for Colorado homes so you can be prepared no matter the weather!
Why Does Gutter Size Matter?
If you’ve ever purchased a new vehicle, you took into consideration the right size for your needs. For example, you wouldn’t choose a compact car if you have a large family. Likewise, if you’ve ever replaced your furniture in your home, you purchase pieces based on how much seating you’ll need. The same goes for your home gutters; you’ll need to carefully consider the size of the gutter system to determine the best one for your climate.
While Colorado is one of the drier states in the country with less-than-average annual precipitation totals, we frequently have sudden downpours in the spring and summer months, and snowstorms that can dump over a foot of snow. Because of these varying precipitation levels, Colorado homes need a gutter system that can handle large amounts of rainfall or snowfall. Gutter size, or gutter capacity, matters because a system that’s too small can’t handle sudden amounts of heavy rain or rapid snowmelt.
Unfortunately, many gutter systems have smaller gutters and downspouts or are damaged/clogged, which can’t handle varying precipitation levels. When gutters aren’t the proper size, water damage will occur, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Foundation damage
- Roof damage
- Soffit and fascia damage
- Wood rot
- Basement leaks
- Siding damage
- Landscape issues
The proper gutter size is paramount to protecting your home from water damage caused by the wrong-sized gutters.
What Gutter Size is Best for Colorado Homes?
So, what size gutter is best for Colorado homes? One that can handle large amounts of precipitation and doesn’t clog. Sudden downpours and heavy snowstorms are common weather events here in Colorado, and your gutter system must be able to handle unpredictable, varying precipitation and weather. You’ll want a gutter system with oversized gutters and oversized downspouts. They’re just as important as the gutters, helping to carry water and snowmelt away from the home and diverting it away from the home’s foundation.
The best gutters for Colorado homes keep all debris out, never allowing pine needles, leaves, pests, or any other debris to enter the system, eliminating the need for gutter maintenance and cleaning your gutters again. Because they stay clean, they’ll never block water from entering the gutters during precipitation. Larger capacity gutter systems allow more water to flow rapidly without worrying about smaller gutters or downspouts that can’t handle sudden downpours.
Ideally, you’ll install 5-inch gutters to allow more rainwater and snowmelt to flow through the system, keeping your roof drier. Oversized gutters and downspouts have larger inside corners that eliminate “choke points”, never allowing debris to accumulate inside the system.
Colorado homes also need a system large enough to support heavy snow accumulation. We get frequent snowfall here in the Rocky Mountains, varying from wet to drier snow. Snow can weigh around 20 pounds per cubic foot. Imagine if we had a storm that dumps 10 inches – that puts extreme pressure on your roof and gutter system, potentially causing a faulty or inadequately sized gutter system to tear away from the home, unable to support heavy snow.
K-Guard is the Right-Sized Gutter System for Colorado Homes
The best, most properly sized gutter system for Colorado homes is the K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System. For one, K-Guard is a complete system with multiple components, like a curved hood and oversized gutters and downspouts, working together to keep stormwater and snowmelt moving through the system rapidly. K-Guard’s gutter capacity is 23” of rain per hour, guaranteed, so you’ll never need to worry about those sudden downpours or snowstorms we frequently get here in Colorado.
Next, K-Guard is made from an extremely durable gutter material. Our heavy-duty aluminum resists corrosion, dents, and chips in the paint. Our gutter system is so durable that we offer a lifetime no pull-away warranty, ensuring it’ll withstand all weather conditions, which is crucial with Colorado’s unpredictable and varying weather patterns.
Our gutter product is also seamless, eliminating the risk of leaks or loose sections like homeowners often have with sectional or traditional gutter systems. K-Guard is custom-made during your K-Guard Gutter installation service to ensure it’s the proper fit. We run our heavy-duty aluminum through our rolling machine, which slowly bends our flat coil stock, measuring and cutting every piece on-site to ensure an exact fit. We offer many color options, making it easy to customize your K-Guard Gutters, from earthy neutrals to cool-toned blues, you’re sure to find a perfect color that complements or boldly accents your home.
Contact K-Guard Rocky Mountains today for a free estimate, a detailed analysis of your current gutter system, and estimated costs for installing K-Guard on your home. We look forward to helping you with your gutter replacement!
