If your home is surrounded by trees and you find yourself removing leaves frequently, you could benefit from investing in gutter guards. While gutter guards may feel like a sizable upfront cost, they can save you time and money by keeping debris out of your gutters and reducing cleanings. In this guide, we will explore the benefits, costs, and features of the best gutter guards and share maintenance tips for keeping your gutters in good condition.
Key Takeaways
- Gutter guards are designed to keep debris and pests out of your gutter system.
- Gutter guards could offer a good investment for homeowners who frequently clean clogged debris from their gutters.
- Expect to pay between $4,000 and $7,000 for a professional gutter guard installation, based on responses to our nationwide survey of 1,000 homeowners with gutter guards. Do-it-yourself (DIY) gutter guard installation costs an average of $170–$700.
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What Are Gutter Guards?
Gutter guards are protective covers or inserts for your existing gutters. They create a barrier that blocks leaves, twigs, and other big debris from getting into your gutters while still letting water flow through. This means your gutters won’t clog up as easily, and you won’t have to clean them as often.
Before deciding if gutter guards are right for you, it’s helpful to know about the different types and how they might work for your home.
The Benefits of Installing Gutter Guards
Gutter guards offer several advantages, especially if you’re tired of dealing with clogged gutters. Here’s why many homeowners think they’re worth it.
Protection Against Debris
Gutter guards help keep leaves, twigs, and other debris from piling up in your gutters. This means less chance of clogs, which can cause water to overflow and damage your home’s foundation, walls, and landscaping. By reducing these risks, gutter guards might save you money on expensive repairs down the line.
Less Time Spent Cleaning
When you have gutter guards, you won’t need to clean your gutters as often. They don’t completely get rid of maintenance, but they cut down on how frequently you need to do it. This is great if you don’t like climbing ladders or if it’s hard for you to do so. With fewer cleanings, you can spend your time and energy on other things around the house.
Boosted Curb Appeal
Gutter guards can make your home look better by preventing messy, overflowing gutters and protecting your exterior from water damage. Some types of gutter guards, particularly those that blend seamlessly with your roofline, can boost your home’s curb appeal. A neat and well-maintained house can attract buyers and improve how your property looks overall.
Types of Gutter Guards: Choosing the Right Option
There are several types of gutter guards available, each with its own pros and cons. The right type of gutter guard depends on your specific requirements, including things like your local weather, how many trees are around your house, and how much maintenance you’re willing to do.
Micro-Mesh Guards
These use a fine stainless steel mesh to filter out even small debris while allowing water to pass through. They’re highly effective and durable, often lasting 20 years or longer with minimal maintenance. Their superior filtration makes them ideal if you have a lot of smaller debris, such as pine needles and roof grit, in your gutters.
Reverse Curve Guards
Also known as surface tension guards, reverse curve guards use the principle of water adhesion to direct water into the gutter while debris falls to the ground. They’re great for large debris but may struggle with smaller particles like pine needles. Because they’re complex, getting them professionally installed can boost their effectiveness.
Brush Guards
Brush guards look like big pipe cleaners that sit inside your gutters. They let water flow through while catching debris in their bristles. They work well but might need to be cleaned more often than other types. If you want something easy to install and don’t mind taking them out now and then to clean, brush guards could be a good option.
Foam Guards
Foam guards are porous inserts that fit inside your gutters. They allow water to pass through while blocking debris. On the downside, they might not last as long as other options and can get moldy. They could work as a short-term fix, but you’ll need to check them regularly to make sure they’re holding up.
Screen Guards
These are perforated covers that fit over your gutters. They’re usually more affordable but might not block smaller debris as well as micro-mesh guards can. If you’re on a budget and mostly deal with bigger leaves or twigs, screen guards could be a good choice.
Cost Breakdown: Gutter Guards vs. Traditional Cleaning
Before you decide on gutter guards, it’s good to compare the upfront costs with what you might save over time. This way, you can make the best choice for your wallet.
Initial Investment and Installation Costs
Professional gutter guard installation typically costs between $4,000 and $7,000. DIY options are generally less expensive, ranging from $170 and $700. Installation costs can vary based on the type of gutter guard selected and your home’s specific requirements. An average 2,000 square foot home will need around 200 linear feet of gutters to cover the entire roof.
Saving Money Over Time
While the upfront cost may seem high, gutter guards can provide significant long-term savings. You’ll likely spend less on professional gutter cleaning, and you might avoid costly repairs from water damage. Plus, many gutter guards come with long warranties, sometimes 20 years or more. By protecting your home, you could also boost its resale value.
The following table provides a more comprehensive breakdown of gutter guard installation costs. Note that gutter guards are measured in linear feet, with most two-story homes ranging from 1,500–2,000 square feet requiring around 200 linear feet of gutters. We’ve also indicated which types of gutter guards can use a DIY installation versus hiring professionals.
| Gutter Guard Type | Total Installation Cost | Material Cost per Linear Foot | Material Cost for 200 Linear Feet | Professional Installation Cost per Linear Foot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic screen | $170–$200 | $0.85–$1 | $170–$200 | DIY |
| Foam | $200–$400 | $1–$2 | $200–$400 | DIY |
| Brush | $600–$850 | $3–$4.25 | $600–$850 | DIY |
| Perforated aluminum | $265–$300 | $1.32–$1.50 | $265–$300 | DIY |
| Steel screen | $300–$700 | $1.50–$3.50 | $300–$700 | DIY |
| Micro-mesh | $4,000–$5,500 | $2.75–$5 | $550–$1,000+ | $20–$27.50 |
| Reverse-curve | $3,600–$7,300 | $3–$6.50 | $600–$1,900 | $18–$36.50 |
Potential Drawbacks of Gutter Guards
Gutter guards come with benefits, but they’re also not without drawbacks. Hire a professional installer—or carefully follow DIY instructions—and monitor for seasonal clutter to avoid these common issues:
Installation Errors
Some gutter guard systems require professional installation, which adds to the overall cost. If you try to install guards yourself and make a mistake, you could void your roof or gutter warranty and cause drainage problems. If you do install gutter guards yourself, make sure you understand how to measure gutter size to make sure there are no gaps or open spaces where debris may collect.
Poor Performance in Extreme Weather
In climates with significant snow and ice, certain gutter guards might cause ice dams or icicles, which can damage your gutters. Meanwhile, guards that struggle to handle heavy rain can lead to overflows and water damage. Picking the right type of gutter guards for your climate can help avoid these issues.
Initial Costs
Gutter guards come with an upfront cost, and some require professional installation, making your overall project more expensive. However, the cost of guards may offset over time with savings on gutter cleaning and home repairs from water damage.
Maintenance Requirements
While gutter guards reduce cleaning frequency, they don’t eliminate maintenance entirely. Debris can still accumulate on top of your guards, requiring occasional cleaning to ensure proper water flow. If you have a leaf blower, you can use the low setting to blow debris away from the roofline once per season.
Potential for Pests
If not properly installed or maintained, some gutter guards can become nesting spots for pests such as rodents, birds, and insects. This buildup can block water flow, creating further damage such as leaks and wood rot, and can cause more expensive removal or gutter replacement needs.
Should You DIY or Hire a Gutter Guard Installation Pro?
The decision between DIY and professional installation depends on a few factors. Thinking them through can help you make the best choice for your situation.
Pros and Cons of DIY Installation
DIY gutter guard installation can save you money upfront, especially if you’re handy. But it takes time, effort, and the right tools. If you don’t install them correctly, they might not work well or could void the warranty. Be honest with yourself about your skills before you decide to DIY.
Benefits of Professional Installation
Hiring a professional means your gutter guards will be installed correctly. Professionals have the experience and tools to handle complex rooflines and can usually get the job done faster. Many companies also offer warranties on both the product and installation, which can give peace of mind to those who prefer a more hands-off approach to home maintenance.
Maintenance Requirements for Gutter Guards
Gutter guards don’t eliminate the need for gutter cleaning or maintenance, but they can greatly reduce the frequency of these services. According to our survey of 1,000 homeowners who purchased gutter guards nationwide, 70% of the respondents said they needed to have their gutters cleaned two or fewer times a year after guard installation.
- Clean your gutters gently: Remove leaves, needles, and twigs from the top of the guards using your hands or a soft brush. Avoid using metal tools that could scratch or bend your gutters out of shape. Use water or a mixture of water and vinegar for stubborn stains. Hire a professional to save time. If you choose to do it yourself, review tips for how to clean gutters safely.
- Fix damage right away: Patch up any small holes or cracks in mesh gutter guard screens immediately with roofing tape or a sealant to prevent water from seeping through.
- Trim nearby trees: Overhanging branches can drop leaves and twigs directly onto your gutter guards, increasing buildup. Keeping trees trimmed reduces the amount of debris that collects over time.
- Flush gutters occasionally: Even with guards in place, fine debris can slip through into your gutters. Using a garden hose to flush out your gutters once or twice a year can help prevent clogs.
Gutter Guards in Different Climates
Gutter guard effectiveness can vary depending on your local climate and environment. Choosing the right ones for your climate and surroundings is important.
Areas With Heavy Foliage
Gutter guards can be particularly helpful if your house is surrounded by trees. They stop leaves and twigs from clogging your gutters, so you don’t have to clean them as often. Just make sure to pick a type that handles the kind of debris you get. For example, there are some gutter guards for pine needles and others better for standard leaves.
Locations With Snow and Ice
In cold climates, some gutter guard systems can help prevent ice dams by allowing melting snow to drain properly. But you need to choose a system designed for cold weather performance to avoid potential issues with ice buildup on the guards themselves.
Which Professional Gutter Guard Companies Do We Recommend?
Our team read hundreds of customer reviews, searched through company histories, and analyzed each gutter guard product based on its materials, performance, and quality. We also purchased, installed, and tested every major type of DIY gutter guard to determine the most effective option. Our testing included assessments of debris filtration, water passibility, durability, and appearance.
After comparing each gutter guard against our objective rating and review methodology, we chose the following professionally installed gutter guards as our top recommendations:
- LeafFilter: Our Top Pick
- Leafguard
- Gutter Guards America
- HomeCraft
- All American Gutter Protection
Compare Gutter Guard Providers
| Company | Logo | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Price Range | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LeafFilterGet Quote |  | A+ | $16.80 per linear foot | Lifetime transferable | |
LeafguardGet Quote |  | A+ | $16.31 per linear foot | Lifetime transferable | |
Gutter Guards AmericaRead Our Review |  | A+ | $16.25 per linear foot | Lifetime transferable |
Our Conclusion
For many homeowners, especially those tired of cleaning gutters or living near lots of trees, gutter guards can be a smart investment. Though there’s an upfront cost, the long-term benefits—like less maintenance, protection from water damage, and even boosting your home’s value—can make it worthwhile.
But before you decide, think about your specific needs, your local climate, and your budget. If you go for gutter guards, pick a good quality system and think about hiring a pro to install them.
FAQs About Gutter Guards
Do you still need to clean gutters with gutter guards?
In most cases, you still need to clean gutters with gutter guards. However, by blocking most debris, gutter guards can make the job easier or less frequent. How often you need to clean gutters with gutter guards depends on the brand and type of guard.
How do I install gutter guards?
The exact process of installing gutter guards will vary. However, most installations will involve the following steps:
- Clean and test your gutters.
- Repair any leaks or damage.
- Measure and cut the product, if necessary.
- Place the gutter guards.
- Secure the gutter guards.
Do gutter guards work for all types of roofs?
Gutter guards can be installed on all types of roofs. However, the options and level of difficulty may vary depending on the pitch and style of your roof. Consider hiring a professional if you have a particularly steep roof, a metal roof, or another unusual feature.
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our gutter guard recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each gutter guard product and provider. We conduct research by reviewing product specifications and provider website information, speaking with customer representatives, and analyzing customer reviews. We reinforce this research with thorough firsthand product testing, assessing each gutter guard’s durability, quality, filtration, and cleanability. To date, we’ve tested more than a dozen professionally installed and DIY gutter guard products. We then score each provider against our review standards for gutter guard design, customer support, the quote process, services, and reviews to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.
