The Best Gutter Guards for Metal Roofs of 2024 (Tested)
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Metal roofs are durable and energy-efficient, but it can be a pain to find a gutter guard that works for them. Metal has less traction than traditional asphalt roofing shingles, meaning metal roofs experience more intense rain and snowfall runoff. You’ll need a gutter guard designed to withstand this extra water. Otherwise, your gutters will overflow frequently, leading to potential water damage and other expensive, annoying problems.
To help you find the best gutter guard for your metal roof, our team thoroughly researched 16 leading gutter guard companies. We spoke to more than a dozen industry experts, surveyed 1,000 homeowners who have installed gutter guards, combed through more than 1,000 customer reviews, and tested 12 guards firsthand. We used this information to rate each gutter guard based on six criteria: material and design, value, warranty coverage, customer reviews, services offered, and effectiveness.
Our review focuses on professional gutter guard options. We don’t recommend do-it-yourself (DIY) gutter guards for metal roofs because the slick metal surface is more difficult and dangerous to work on—especially when wet. However, you can check out our guide to DIY gutter guards if you really want to go that route. We also only included national installers because these companies are larger and more likely to provide a successful experience, but you can read our guide to gutter guard companies near you if you prefer a local provider.
Compare Our Top 5 Gutter Guard Companies for Metal Roofs
The table below uses our research and testing insights to compare popular gutter guard brands on key metrics such as performance, price, and warranties. We used data from our survey of 1,000 gutter guard customers to calculate cost estimates for a 200-linear-foot gutter guard system, the average length of gutters for a 2,000-square-foot home.
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Our Pick
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| #1 out of 21 companies | #2 out of 21 companies | #3 out of 21 companies | #4 out of 21 companies | #5 out of 21 companies | |
| A+ | B | A+ | A | A+ | |
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Warranty Length |
Lifetime transferable | Lifetime transferable | Lifetime transferable | Lifetime transferable | Lifetime transferable |
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Filter Type |
Stainless steel micro-mesh | Stainless steel micro-mesh | Stainless steel micro-mesh | Stainless steel micro-mesh | Aluminum reverse-curve |
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Sample Price |
$5,528 | $6,338 | $5,270 | $5,868 | $7,900 |
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Cons |
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Summary |
We recommend LeafFilter. Its ultra-fine mesh guards outperform other products, blocking debris as small as shingle grit, pine needles, and pollen. |
We recommend HomeCraft Gutter Protection for homeowners who want a one-stop shop for their gutter needs. |
We recommend Gutter Guards America for homeowners looking for a reliable gutter guard installer with secure guarantees. |
We recommend All American Gutter Protection for homeowners on the East Coast who want a reliable micro-mesh gutter guard. |
We recommend Leafguard for homeowners installing new gutters and guards who want an all-in-one system. |
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Promotions |
Now 25% off. Additional 10% off for veterans & seniors | New customers save 30% | 15% off new installations | Save $300 on full-home installations | 20% off your purchase |
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Rating Categories |
LeafFilter | HomeCraft Gutter Protection | Gutter Guards America | All American Gutter Protection | Leafguard |
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Material & Design |
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Value |
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Warranty Coverage |
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Customer Reviews |
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Services Offered |
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Effectiveness |
*To determine the average pricing for a 200-linear-foot gutter guard system, we gathered real cost data by surveying 1,000 homeowners who have installed gutter guards. A 200-linear-foot system is the standard size and fits a 2,000-square-foot home.
How Metal Roofs Compare to Other Roofing Materials
Metal roofs are durable but expensive and come in various options. Learn more about how metal roofs compare to other roofing materials in the video below with Tom Silva. The video breaks down common roof materials such as asphalt shingles and tiles. The video also shows the vertical seams that go up a metal roof, which contribute to more rain and snow runoff.
Our Top-Rated Gutter Guard Companies
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Best Overall:
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Best Add-On Services:
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Best Customer Review Scores:
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Best Deals and Discounts:
Why Trust Our Gutter Guard for Metal Roofs Reviews
We only want to recommend products we firmly stand behind as a team. To get a comprehensive understanding of the gutter guard market, we reviewed 16 popular gutter guards, including 11 DIY products and five professionally installed brands. In addition to analyzing product specifications, speaking to pros, and surveying real customers about their experiences, we tested 12 gutter guards firsthand to see how they perform in standard outdoor conditions. Our model roof was made from asphalt shingles, not metal, but we accounted for this in our testing by simulating heavy water flow. The brands we tested included the following:
- LeafFilter
- Raptor by Gutterglove
- Two models by Waterlock
- GutterStuff
- GutterBrush
- Three products by Amerimax
- A-M Gutter Guard
- Home Intuition Rolled Guard
- Frost King
We’re always testing more products, and we rely on data from our surveys and customer reviews for those we haven’t tested yet. If a product is unavailable for testing, we don’t dock the company in our scoring.
These are the key takeaways from our testing process:
- Stainless steel micro-mesh gutter guards are the best for metal roofs. Micro-mesh systems block the most debris while still allowing large amounts of water to pass through without overflowing. Due to the increased water flow from metal roofs, we only recommend using stainless steel guards. Other materials like plastic create edges along the gutter guards’ seams that make them terrible at handling waterflow.
- No guard completely removes the need for cleaning. Even high-end products like LeafFilter don’t completely self-clean. Dirt, pine needles, and leaves will always accumulate on top of a gutter guard, requiring cleaning once every year or so.
- Cleaning a gutter guard is easier than cleaning unprotected gutters. Cleaning your gutters is one of the worst home maintenance chores. Clogged gutters may be filled with mold, mildew, pests, and other gunk. Without a gutter guard, you’ll have to dig through this sludge with a gutter scoop or, even worse, a gloved hand. While gutter guards don’t completely remove the need for maintenance, they do make cleaning much faster and easier. Unprotected gutters need to be cleaned at least twice per year, while a gutter guard only needs cleaning once a year or so.
- Proper installation matters, especially for metal roofs. Incorrectly installed gutter guards perform very poorly. For example, reverse-curve guards must be installed at the correct pitch or they’ll overflow. These overflow problems are even more prevalent for metal roofs due to the increased runoff we discussed earlier. We recommend hiring a professional installer if you want to ensure your gutter guards work effectively.
- The best DIY brand is Waterlock. Waterlock has a large selection of DIY gutter guards, most of which are more expensive than other DIY options. However, it makes up for it with superb material and design quality. We generally don’t recommend installing DIY guards on a metal roof because working on such a smooth, potentially slippery surface is dangerous. However, Waterlock’s micro-mesh guard is the best option if you must go this route because it allows for the most water per minute.
How We Selected The Top Gutter Guards for Metal Roofs
We used our testing insights along with our independent research to score each gutter guard on six key factors: material and design, value, warranty coverage, customer reviews, services offered, and effectiveness.
See how our favorite gutter guards compare on price versus our overall score in the chart below.
Material & Design
A gutter guard’s material determines its overall longevity and performance. This is especially true for metal roofs, which can negatively interact with some gutter guard materials. For example, copper degrades some alloys and compounds, including galvalume, which is a common metal roof material. Ask your gutter guard installer if their product’s materials will have chemical interactions with your metal roof before proceeding with the project.
This category assessed each guard’s build quality, including its design and materials. Guards with more efficient filters, sturdier construction, and longer-lasting materials earned more points. Micro-mesh guards scored maximum points thanks to their superior water filtration and debris-blocking capabilities. Guards made from stainless steel, aluminum, or copper also scored higher because these materials last longer and are a better investment. Guards made from PVC, plastic, or foam earned fewer points because they degrade more quickly.
LeafFilter was the overall winner in this category. It uses a 275-micron micro-mesh screen made from surgical-grade stainless steel. Its screen is also fine enough to keep out particles as small as pollen while letting water pass through, even at high speeds. We believe these qualities make LeafFilter a perfect fit to handle the increased runoff of metal roofs.
Here’s a breakdown of how each guard in this article scored for this factor:
Value
It can be worth it to pay more for a high-quality gutter guard, especially if it means avoiding costly water damage and overflows caused by your metal roof. However, you also don’t want to overpay. This category compared a company’s price to its product performance, customer service, and quality-of-life perks, such as free quotes, discounts, and financing. The more bang for your buck, the better a brand scored.
Most companies were strong in this category, especially professionally installed products, but LeafFilter came out on top. LeafFilter’s price is in line with industry standards, and it offers a generous financing program compared to other brands. For example, it only requires purchases of $1,000 or more to qualify for financing, while Leafguard requires upwards of $7,000.
Here are the value scores for our top gutter guard picks:
Warranty Coverage
Warranties offer invaluable financial protection in the event that something goes wrong with your gutter guard. We awarded more points to companies that offer long-lasting, clearly defined warranties that are transferable to new homeowners. Lifetime warranties are standard for professional gutter guards, while DIY products typically have 15- to 25-year warranties.
We also looked at the overall quality of a company's warranty. It's common for companies to offer “no-clog guarantees.” No-clog guarantees aren’t proper warranties; they’re promises made by companies to clean a system or repair it in the event of a clog. These policies don’t provide any real financial protection, nor do they offer refunds. Companies that offer proper warranties alongside no-clog guarantees earned the most points.
Of the brands featured on this list, LeafFilter is once again the best company in this category. Its transferable lifetime warranty promises to replace or repair your guards if they don’t work. If you're unsatisfied, the company will refund 100% of the purchase price for all LeafFilter materials installed in your home.
Here’s a breakdown of each company's warranty score:
Customer Reviews
Though we test products firsthand, customer reviews help us get multiple perspectives on the experience of working with a company. We read more than 100 hundred reviews per brand, or as many as there are available, noting any positive or negative themes and recurring pain points. We prioritized reviews from third-party websites such as Google, the Better Business Bureau, and Trustpilot because those are less likely to be biased than reviews posted directly on each company’s website.
Gutter guard companies generally receive favorable customer review scores across sites, but LeafFilter, Gutter Guards America, and HomeCraft did best in this category. They have positive customer reviews across multiple third-party sites and received high customer satisfaction scores in our survey.
Here’s how our top gutter guard companies scored in the customer review category:
Services Offered
We believe gutter guard companies should have experience working on all parts of your home’s drainage system, not just gutter guards. That’s why we awarded more points to companies that offer various gutter-related services, such as downspout installation or gutter repair. Companies that provide roofing services such as fascia repair and roof replacement also earned more points.
These additional services are especially important for homeowners with metal roofs. Metal roofs are more dangerous to work on than traditional asphalt shingles, as they have steeper pitches and a slicker surface. A gutter company that reduces how often you have to work on your roof, whether there’s an issue with your guards or something else, has more value for homeowners with metal roofs.
LeafFilter, Gutter Guards America, and HomeCraft earned the most points in this category. Each company offers a wide selection of roofing and gutter services. However, LeafFilter’s services are only available when you buy a gutter guard system. Gutter Guards America and HomeCraft allow you to purchase gutter and roofing services separately from gutter guards.
Here’s how each of our recommended companies scored in this category:
Effectiveness
This category evaluates how well gutter guards keep out debris, how much water they let pass through, and how easy they are to clean. We consider any guard that blocks a majority of debris (80%–99%) while not overflowing (90% or more water passes through) under standard conditions to be effective. The better a guard performs, the more points it earns.
When evaluating gutter guards for metal roofs, we pay particular attention to each guard’s water passability. Since metal roofs experience more intense runoff, guards have to be more efficient at handling water to function well.
Many guards with high overall scores, such as Leafguard and Waterlock Pro, don’t handle heavy downpours well. The companies that scored the best in this category were LeafFilter and Gutter Guards America. Both guards stopped around 90% of debris without overflowing, even in heavy downpours.
Here’s how each company fared in our effectiveness rating:
Our Top Gutter Guard Picks for Metal Roofs
Based on our research outlined above, we believe the following gutter guards are the best for metal roofs. Though some gutter guards we reviewed earned higher overall ratings, we didn’t recommend any brands that are incompatible with metal roofs. For example, Leafguard is a well-performing gutter guard that made our list of the best gutter guards overall, but we found that it doesn't handle heavy rainfall well, and customers often complain about overflows on steep roofs. Because of these issues, we don’t recommend it for metal roofs specifically.
Best Overall: LeafFilter
What We Liked
- Withstands heavy water flow better than other guards we tested
- Has a lifetime transferable warranty, which is more generous than other companies
- Uses stainless steel, which lasts longer than other gutter guard materials
What We Didn't Like
- Only offers gutter guard installation, while other brands have extra services
- Has received complaints for aggressive sales tactics
Our Scores
LeafFilter earned 4.7 out of 5 stars. It scored highest in the “Customer Reviews” and “Warranty Coverage” categories and lowest in “Material & Design.”
Our Review
We believe LeafFilter is the best overall gutter guard for metal roofs. Its surgical-grade stainless steel mesh screen is durable and fine enough to block debris as small as pine needles, seedpods, and pollen while still letting heavy torrents of water pass through. This means it will filter water runoff from your metal roof without backing up and overflowing.
LeafFilter supplied us with a floor model to test its guard firsthand. While our test roof had standard asphalt shingles, we were still able to learn the following:
- LeafFilter’s gutter guard filters water even in downpour conditions. We applied water equivalent to heavy rainfall, and the system didn’t overflow. This proved to us that the system can withstand runoff from metal roofs and help you avoid costly water damage.
- Its micro-mesh screens blocked the most debris of every guard we tested.
- It resists clogging and is exceptionally easy to clean. We piled the system full of debris and removed 100% of it with a gentle brushing.
We surveyed 130 LeafFilter customers and found that a 200-linear-foot LeafFilter system costs an average of $5,528, or $27.64 per linear foot. This is standard for a professionally installed micro-mesh gutter guard.
What we don’t like about LeafFilter is its sales practices. Customers report that sales representatives quote high prices ranging from $7,000 to $10,000 only to lower the quotes during negotiation. This tactic is common in the home improvement industry, but the high volume of complaints from LeafFilter customers leads us to believe the company practices it more frequently. We recommend telling your sales rep your budget upfront and refusing to accept a higher-than-average quote.
Customer Reviews
- Easy to clean
- Great filtration
- Professional representatives
- Aggressive sales tactics
LeafFilter has some of the best customer review scores in the gutter guard industry. It has an average score of 3.8 out of 5 stars with more than 6,000 reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Its Trustpilot page is even more impressive, boasting a 4.3 out of 5-star rating with more than 126,000 reviews. For context, the average online review score for gutter companies is around 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Happy customers were impressed with LeafFilter’s performance. They said the system effectively blocks most debris, including small materials like pine needles and seedpods. One review specifically praised the skill of LeafFilter’s technicians while working on a metal roof, saying the father-son team who installed their system took care not to dent, scratch, or otherwise damage their metal roof.
Critical comments noted pushy sales tactics and inconsistent installations—specifically, incorrectly installed parts on metal roofs or failure to clean up job sites. Other complaints mention ice dam problems, though all gutter guards make ice dams worse.
Best Add-On Services: HomeCraft Gutter Protection
New customers save 30%
What We Liked
- Has a unique design that better adheres to metal roofs
- Offers additional gutter services, including repairs and installations
- Is family-owned and operated, unlike many national brands
What We Didn't Like
- Some customers report poor communication after installation
- No pricing information online
Our Scores
HomeCraft received a score of 4.2 out of 5 stars. It did well in “Services Offered” and “Customer Reviews” but just OK in “Warranty Coverage” and “Effectiveness.”
Our Review
HomeCraft Gutter Protection offers a wide selection of services including gutter cleaning, repairs, and replacements. We like this because it’s convenient; you won’t have to hire multiple different service people to address your gutter needs.
HomeCraft’s guards have a 304-marine grade stainless steel filter, powder-coated aluminum frame, and reinforcing hangers. This means the system can withstand constant moisture while lasting decades, making it a good investment for metal roofs. Its built-in pitch and design help promote self-cleaning, which means you’ll clean this system less often and stay off of your slippery roof. You may also notice that HomeCraft talks a lot about its indented diamond pattern called “raised screen technology.” This is something only HomeCraft has, but it feels like more of a marketing gimmick than something that actually aids water flow. We still like HomeCraft for metal roofs because its lack of substructure makes it easier to mold to their shape.
We surveyed more than 100 HomeCraft customers and found that a 200-linear-foot system costs an average of $6,338, or $31.69 per linear foot. This is about $2,000 more than the industry standard of $4,300. However, HomeCraft may be worth it for you if you want a durable system and a diverse service selection.
Customer Reviews
- Attentive representatives
- Prompt technicians
- Easy-to-clean guard
- Poor communication
HomeCraft has average customer review scores. Its BBB page has a 2.43 out of 5-star score based on just under 100 reviews. Its Trustpilot page has more than twice that, with more than 250 reviews and a 4.3 out of 5-star rating.
Customers praised HomeCraft’s polite, knowledgeable sales reps. We called HomeCraft's customer service line and found the associate to be polite, friendly, and helpful. One review mentioned that the installation crew was careful around their roof's steep slope and handled the job with ease. This attention to detail is especially important for metal roofs, as standing seam metal roofs often have steep slopes and require more time and diligence.
Negative reviewers mentioned poor communication after installation. For example, one customer experienced issues after the installation but couldn’t get someone to come out and take a look. They expressed frustration with hitting the “dead ends” after reaching out to both upper-level employees and the warranty department.
Best Customer Review Scores: Gutter Guards America
15% off new installations
What We Liked
- Uses surgical-grade stainless steel, allowing it to better withstand water runoff
- Provides extra services such as seamless gutter installation and roof repair
- Is made in the United States, unlike many gutter guard brands
What We Didn’t Like
- Advertises claim that its guards keep you off ladders, which is untrue
- Doesn’t provide detailed warranty information online
Our Scores
Gutter Guards America earned a score of 4.5 out of 5 stars. It scored high in the “Services Offered,” “Customer Reviews,” and “Effectiveness” categories and lower in “Warranty Coverage.”
Our Review
Gutter Guards America uses a unique wave-like pattern that helps filter water and push off debris. This design is great at handling heavy water flow, making it especially compatible with metal roofs. We also like Gutter Guards America’s impressive material quality. It has a stainless steel micro-mesh screen, a galvanized steel louvered frame, and an aluminum base, making it one of the most durable guards available.
However, customers complain about pine needles building up. We believe this is because GGA’s wave-like pattern creates small gaps in the design, allowing tiny debris to accumulate. If you experience small debris near your home, we recommend a fully flat, tightly set screen like LeafFilter’s instead. We also don’t like GGA’s limited color options. It only has white gutter guards, whereas most brands offer multiple colors to match your roof.
The 300 Gutter Guards America customers we surveyed gave the company a high satisfaction score of 89%, 10% higher than any other company in this article. Our respondents reported that a 200-linear-foot GGA system costs an average of $5,270, or $26.35 per linear foot. This range aligns with industry-standard pricing for this gutter guard type.
Our biggest issue with Gutter Guards America is that it claims to keep customers off of ladders. This might be true if you live in a one-story home, but it’s not the norm for most people. As mentioned earlier, no gutter guard can completely remove the need for occasional cleaning and maintenance.
Customer Reviews
- Professional technicians
- Polite representatives
- Effective products
- Inconsistent quality
Gutter Guards America has an overall positive reputation among customers. Though it has a 1.5 out of 5-star customer rating on BBB, this is only based on six reviews, which we don’t consider a meaningful sample size. We think its Trustpilot page is a more accurate reflection of customers’ experience, with over 700 reviews and a score of 4.4 out of 5 stars. Customers praised its speedy installations, impressive guards, and skilled technicians.
Negative reviews for GGA were rare, but those we did find mention incomplete or poor-quality jobs. One person didn’t like how GGA’s guards looked on their metal roof, as the guards weren’t adjusted to the roof’s height.
Another negative review complained about the guard’s ability to handle small debris, specifically sweetgum seeds. This reviewer commented that the guards clogged and overflowed. This issue highlights a common misconception about gutter guards: that they don't ever need to be cleaned. In reality, you need to clean gutter guards once every year or so. If you have trees that produce large amounts of debris, like sweetgum, you may need to clean your gutters more often. For metal roofs that experience heavy runoff, you’ll need to be even more diligent with cleaning, as a clogged gutter or guard can lead to overflows.
Best Deals and Discounts: All American Gutter Protection
What We Liked
- Provides extra impact resistance from falling trees, hail, and other objects
- Installs gutters in more than 30 colors to match your roof and gutter guards
- Offers more discounts than other companies
What We Didn't Like
- Doesn’t offer gutter cleaning or repair services
- Received a lower satisfaction rating than other companies
Our Scores
We awarded All American Gutter Protection a score of 3.9 out of 5 stars. It did best in the “Material & Design” and “Value” categories but received a low score in “Services Offered.”
Our Review
All American Gutter Protection has a uniquely designed and efficient system. Like LeafFilter and Homecraft, it uses a micro-mesh filter that effectively keeps out small debris. What sets All American’s product apart is its substructure, which offers extra reinforcement and durability to better withstand impacts from tree limbs, hail, and other debris. However, this design limits the amount of water that can enter the guard. Because metal roofs have more water runoff, we only recommend it for homeowners who live in low-rain areas, like the Southwest.
Another major benefit of All American is its gutter installation services. It offers a selection of seamless aluminum gutters in more than 30 colors. While most providers install gutters in addition to guards, few provide this many color options to match your roof. However, All American doesn't provide convenient services like gutter cleaning or fascia repair, while other professional gutter companies like HomeCraft and Gutter Guards America do.
The 200 All American customers we surveyed reported an average price of $5,868 for their gutter guard system. This is on the higher end of the industry average, but we think the quality of All American’s gutter guard makes up for the price. Its stainless steel and aluminum components should last 20 years or more in ideal conditions (similar to other brands like LeafFilter), making this system a good investment. All American offers discounts to reduce your price, such as its senior and military discounts, $300 off program, and 20% off deal.
Customer Reviews
- Durable guard
- Skilled technicians
- Polite representatives
- Mixed reviews
All American has a much smaller review pool compared to other companies. Its Trustpilot page only has a single review. On the BBB, it has 42 reviews and an average score of 3.44 out of 5 stars.
We don’t think these are enough reviews to properly represent the customer experience, particularly because metal roofs weren’t mentioned by customers at all. However, people praised All American’s polite representatives and effective product.
Negative comments cited poor communication, dropped appointments, and rescheduling.
For example, one frustrated customer said that their technician never showed up for an appointment, nor did the local branch call to confirm the work. The customer called All American, who told them the technicians had indeed failed to show up. The local office offered to reschedule, but the customer declined. These sorts of communication issues litter All American’s BBB reviews.
We still think All American Gutter’s gutter guard performs well for metal roofs in low-rainfall areas, but it could improve its customer service by communicating better and ensuring appointments are made on time.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.