You may be wondering what size is a standard garden hose, especially if you spend a significant amount of time doing yard work.
Whether you own an array of beautiful flower beds or if you prefer to bathe your pets outdoors, knowing what size hose is best will help to make the job more straightforward.
Most often, homeowners will opt for the most significant length possible that falls within their budget, as they assume the longer, the better.
However, that isn’t always the case, as sometimes, you may be better off opting for a standard length.
In this guide, we’ll discuss what standard garden hoses have to offer and the most important things to look out for when you start shopping for garden equipment.
What Size Is a Standard Garden Hose?
When you’re talking about garden hoses, size could mean one of two things, either the diameter or the length.
The diameter of your hose will determine how much water can travel through the tubing at once, while the length may affect the water pressure and water speed.
Length is also highly responsible for the ease of use of your hose, as smaller properties won’t need long tubes and vice versa.
Diameter
In North America, hose diameters will range between 3/8”, 1/2”, and 3/4”.
You’ll find that most households have a 5/8” diameter hose, as this tends to offer an adequate level of water pressure without being too overwhelming for everyday tasks.
That said, it all depends on the task you intend on doing, for example, washing a car can easily be accomplished with a diameter larger than 5/8”, whereas gently watering your garden with an attached spray nozzle is simple with a 5/8” model.
Length
There are a wide variety of measures you’ll be able to choose from when you start looking for a garden hose, even in your local hardware store.
Most manufacturers will have different models that get larger in increments of 25 feet, and for most standard applications, hoses can get up to 100 feet.
With that said, heavy-duty hoses and the slightly costlier ones can be up to 400 feet and sometimes bigger.
Again, it all depends on the size of your property and the available water pressure in your home.
If you have a 30’x70’ backyard, for example, you will not need more than 100 feet of a hose, and anything more substantial than that will significantly lessen the water pressure, causing projects to require more effort and time.
For homeowners searching for standard lengths, you’re typically going to want to consider between 25’ and 75’ of a hose.
What Are the Features of a Standard Garden Hose?
You’d be surprised at how such a basic backyard essential has an abundance of traits you’ll have to take under advisement.
From the materials the hose is made of to the different types, you can easily find many garden hoses designed for an assortment of tasks.
Below, you’ll find the most standard features of the majority of the best garden hose on the market.
1. Materials
Some of the most important things to consider, aside from size, are the materials used to manufacture your desired garden hose.
Most often, you’ll find they are made from plastic, whether it’s reinforced mesh, rubber, or vinyl.
Each material has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on where you intend to store the hose and its applications.
Vinyl
The most common type of garden hose material is vinyl, as they are the least expensive and the most lightweight on the market.
You’ll find they are incredibly easy to carry around your property and best for simple everyday tasks, such as watering your gardens or connecting them to a sprinkler to lawn maintenance.
With that said, as they are so lightweight, the vinyl material is thinner, which can lead to wear and tear after just one season.
The most significant complaint about vinyl hoses is that they are very prone to splitting, acquiring holes, and kinking.
All of these issues can cause you to have to replace your garden equipment more often than if you were to opt for a more expensive choice.
Also, you will have to take care not to store your hose outside, as UV rays degrade vinyl incredibly quickly.
Rubber
Rubber is a big step up from vinyl in price, style, and functionality, which is why they have started to become more popular among people with more significant properties.
Plenty of industrial sites will also rely on rubber hoses more than vinyl, as they are more heavy-duty and will last substantially longer.
With that said, you will still need to take care to store these types of hoses safely, whether it’s on a hose reel or in a dry and room temperature environment over the winter.
Rubber hoses are known to be more substantial than their counterparts, which can make them too robust for seniors and kids to use.
Their durability, though, is remarkable as they withstand UV rays if left outside and are far less likely to leak or kink while in use.
They are the ideal option for people searching for garden hoses designed to last over multiple years.
Reinforced Mesh
You’ve likely seen these designs at some point while visiting a hardware store, and they are by far the best option for heavy-duty work around your property.
Most often, reinforced mesh hoses will have a layer of mesh sandwiched between an interior layer of vinyl and an exterior layer of rubber, offering all of the benefits of the materials mentioned above.
The most significant selling point of this design is that it can withstand an ample amount of water pressure without running the risk of springing a leak.
Reinforced mesh hoses are known to have the highest cost, but they are also typically covered by lengthy warranties to ensure you get the most out of the tubing.
2. Hose Type
Not every hose is designed in the same way, and you might find that individual designs are preferable than others.
When you’re looking for a standard hose, they’ll typically be the most affordable, but there are specialty models available, as well.
Soaker and sprinkler hoses are best suited for irrigation and will feature an assortment of holes that gently spray water either upwards or into the ground.
You’ll find that soaker hoses are ideal for gardens filled with mulch that need to be drenched to keep the plants alive.
There are also industrial hoses meant to deal with hot and cold water for heavy-duty uses, whereas standard tubes are only for use with cold to room temperature water.
3. Fitting or Coupler Materials
On the ends of your hose, you’ll notice there are small metal pieces typically referred to as fittings or couplers.
These pieces are responsible for attaching the hose to your house’s spigot, and the other end will hold your spray nozzle.
Most high-quality hoses will have brass fittings on either end, though you can also find hoses with plastic couplers to help prevent rusting.
Lower-quality hoses, typically the cheapest on the market, will have less reliable materials, such as aluminum, used as fittings, which can lead to rusting and deterioration over the years.
4. Strength and Flexibility
When you invest in a hose, you’ll want to make sure it is designed perfectly for every task you intend to do outdoors.
You’ll need to find a model that is flexible enough to curve around garden furniture, for example, but strong enough to where it won’t likely kink.
Before buying a specific brand, it’s a good idea to test the flexibility of the tubing by bending into the shape of a “U.”
If you notice the hose can bend without causing a kink, it’s likely to be perfect for most outdoor applications, though if it kinks, it’s likely not made from the best materials.
Another critical aspect of the strength of your hose is its burst pressure, as this will determine at what point the tube will spring a leak based on the force of the water inside of it.
For regular uses, a burst pressure of 350 PSI or higher is ideal, but if you intend on using your hose with specialty equipment, such as a pressure washer, you’ll want to choose the right tube for your equipment.
5. Drinking-Water Safe
Even though you might assume that the average garden hose is made from materials that are safe enough to drink the water that runs through it, that’s not always the case.
This point is especially true if you start looking at the heavier-duty models recommended for industrial applications.
Remember, you will use your standard garden hose for numerous things such as your kids playing in the backyard, giving your pet some water to drink, or even washing your hands after gardening.
The last thing you would want is to have harmful chemicals emitted into the water that is touching your skin or entering your system.
Most standard hoses will have an indicator on their packaging that reads “drinking-water safe”, giving you the peace of mind you need.
A Helpful Video on Garden Hose Sizing
Final Thoughts
Being able to answer what size is a standard garden hose depends on your project.
Most homes will have a 5/8” hose that is between 25’ and 100’ in length, depending on the size of their property.
By knowing what standard hoses should have, you’ll be able to make the most out of outdoor tasks.
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