We’ve researched the best gutter guard brands on the market and identified Leaf Solution and LeafFilter as two solid choices based on their efficient filtration capabilities and design options. To help you decide if either of these gutter guards is right for your home, we’ve analyzed their product designs, performance, price, history, and customer reviews in this review.
We recommend LeafFilter as the best choice for most homeowners thanks to its ability to filter large and small debris during testing, its limited lifetime warranty, and its professional installation process. Leaf Solution, which supplies its three products directly to local contractors for installation, could be a good choice if you want more gutter guard design options.
Our Take on Leaf Solution vs. LeafFilter
Both LeafFilter and Leaf Solution provide high-quality gutter guards made of stainless steel micro-mesh set inside durable aluminum frames. However, there are distinct differences between these two popular gutter guards.
Leaf Solution provides a small selection of options for gutter guard installations, while LeafFilter focuses on a single, well-honed product. Leaf Solution’s warranty lasts 20 years compared to LeafFilter’s limited lifetime warranty. While Leaf Solution has been around longer, its brand presence isn’t as well-established as LeafFilter.
We Recommend Leaf Solution If You:
- Want a variety of gutter guard designs to choose from
- Don’t mind working directly with a local contractor for installation
- Live in an area that receives heavy rainfall
We Recommend LeafFilter If You:
- Deal with small debris in your gutters, such as shingle grit and pine needles
- Need to have your gutters cleaned, repaired, or installed in addition to gutter guards
- Want the peace of mind that comes with a lifetime warranty
Leaf Solution vs. LeafFilter at a Glance
The table below compares Leaf Solution and LeafFilter on key characteristics, including design, warranty, and state availability.
| Rating Factor | Leaf Solution | LeafFilter |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Stainless steel “hemmed” micro-mesh | Stainless steel micro-mesh |
| Warranty | 20 years | Limited lifetime transferable |
| Pricing | Not available | $16.31 per linear foot* |
| State availability | 50 states and parts of Canada | 46 states (excludes Alaska, Hawaii, Vermont, South Dakota) |
| Year founded | 2002 | 2005 |
| BBB Rating** | No score available | A+ |
**BBB ratings are accurate as of March 2025.
Leaf Solution Cost vs. LeafFilter Cost
Both Leaf Solution and LeafFilter are professionally installed only, meaning you have to purchase them from certified suppliers. Professional gutter guard installation is typically more expensive than DIY installation, so consider whether the cost of gutter guards is worth it based on your preferred installation method. While more expensive than DIY, we like that professional installation saves you from getting on a ladder.
Leaf Solution Cost
Due to its work with third-party contractors, Leaf Solution doesn’t supply direct pricing information on its website. To get a quote from Leaf Solution, call the provider or head to its website and fill out a form. Leaf Solution will connect you with a local certified installer. From there, you’ll schedule an appointment for a quote detailing the installation’s exact cost.
LeafFilter Cost
We surveyed 150 LeafFilter customers in 2025 to determine average pricing. LeafFilter gutter guards cost $16.31 per linear foot or $3,262 for a 200-linear-foot system.
Some commenters on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) reported paying $10,000 or more for their LeafFilter systems. These responses were common enough that we examined them closely and concluded that LeafFilter’s sales tactics were behind the higher cost ranges. Multiple customers said that LeafFilter sales representatives initially presented a price of $8,000–$10,000 or more. During negotiations, they often reduced the cost.
This sales tactic is not uncommon in the home improvement space. Expect an average cost of around $3,200 for a 200-linear-foot system, but don’t be surprised by an initial quote that’s two or more times that. You’ll need to negotiate and be firm with your budget to get a fair price on your LeafFilter system.
What Are the Differences Between Leaf Solution and LeafFilter?
Our analysis of these two gutter guard companies differed because Leaf Solution doesn’t provide its products directly to consumers. LeafFilter’s consumer-facing business model allowed us to go deeper in our review and recommendations.
Leaf Solution Product Overview
Leaf Solution was founded in 2002 as an innovative approach to gutter cover design. Leaf Solution gutter guards have a stainless steel “hemmed mesh” screen set with indentations along the length and fitted into a heavy-duty aluminum frame. Leaf Solution backs up its gutter guard with a 20-year product warranty.
Leaf Solution offers three products to give customers more options for their gutter protection. The first is its standard Leaf Solution or Evelyn’s Leaf Solution gutter guard, followed by the Xtreme gutter guard and the New Wave gutter guard. Here’s a more in-depth look at these products:
- Evelyn’s gutter guard: This is the standard gutter guard offered by Leaf Solution. It uses a surgical-grade stainless steel micro-mesh with a triple-dip capillary diverter. This design slows water flow atop the gutters to capture more rainwater and prevent clogs. This mesh is hemmed into an aluminum frame for strength and resistance to dislodging. It comes in 5- or 6-inch-wide, 5-foot-long panels, allowing it to fit most gutter systems.
- Xtreme gutter guard: This model is similar to the standard model but with a sleeker design and larger screen openings. These alterations allow Leaf Solution’s Xtreme gutter guard to repel larger debris while letting in more water. Leaf Solution states this model of gutter guard can withstand up to 60 gallons of water per minute. However, the larger gaps in the mesh may allow smaller particles, such as shingle grit or sediment, to bypass the guard.
- New Wave gutter guard: The New Wave guard is Leaf Solution’s third option for gutter protection. Unlike the standard and Xtreme guards that use a stainless steel mesh and frame system, the New Wave gutter guard is a single sheet of rigid gauge aluminum that screws directly into the gutter. This aluminum sheet is perforated with teardrop-shaped holes that allow water passage but block larger debris such as leaves, sticks, and pine cones. These guards don’t stop smaller debris, such as shingle grit, insects, or pine needles, from making their way inside your gutters.
LeafFilter Product Overview
LeafFilter is one of the top-recommended gutter guard brands. It handles the entire process, from the initial inspection and quote to placing the guards on your gutter system. In addition to its gutter guard services, it handles gutter installations and repairs. This suite of services makes it an excellent choice for homes that lack gutter systems.
LeafFilter stands behind the quality of its gutter guards, offering a limited lifetime warranty on all parts of the system. If any part of the gutter guard system fails, either due to a product fault or improper installation, it’s covered by the warranty. However, LeafFilter’s warranty doesn’t cover damage to the gutter system or surrounding structures. Additionally, the warranty can become void if the guard is damaged by structural changes to the house or random acts of nature. Here’s an overview of LeafFilter’s gutter guard system:
- Micro-mesh: LeafFilter gutter guards use a 275-micron micro-mesh screen made from surgical-grade stainless steel. This corrosion-resistant screen is fine enough to keep small debris, such as shingle grit, pine needles, and pollen, out of your gutter systems while letting water pass through.
- uPVC frame: The uPVC frame is installed with a built-in pitch, allowing heavy debris to slide off more easily. This frame is heavy-duty and warp-resistant while also being lightweight and durable.
- Hidden hangers: These small brackets sit within the gutter and connect the system to your fascia board.
Warranty
Leaf Solution’s manufacturer warranty covers manufacturing defects and workmanship related to manufacturing for 20 years.
LeafFilter’s lifetime limited warranty is transferable to new homeowners and covers material and installation mishaps. It includes a “100% clog-free” guarantee.
Fine Print
Leaf Solution’s 20-year warranty is void if a Leaf Solution miter is connected to any other company’s gutter guards. An extensive list of Leaf Solution’s warranty exclusions includes damage caused by the following:
- Building settling
- Excessive heat
- Failure to perform routine maintenance
- Installation failure
- Mold or mildew
- Severe weather (“acts of God”)
- Vandalism
LeafFilter offers to repair any damage or provide a 100% reimbursement of the purchase price for installation. The warranty is void in the following cases:
- If the LeafFilter product sustains damage from structural changes, adjacent trees or plant life, or an uncontrollable act of nature
- If the product is modified or altered from its original installation or if any willful action is taken to impede or restrict the flow of water through the gutter system
Materials
Two of Leaf Solution’s three gutter guard designs use the stainless steel micro-mesh screen that has become the industry standard for excellent filtration of large and small debris. Its third gutter guard type uses a perforated aluminum shield that blocks large debris but might not be as effective for grit, pollen, or other small debris.
LeafFilter’s 275-micron surgical-grade micro-mesh filter proved during our product testing to be the most effective system for preventing the accumulation of small debris. The frame is made of uPVC (unplasticized polyvinyl chloride) material that the company claims will “never warp or deteriorate.” The structural hangers that support the screen are made of steel and connect directly to the home’s fascia board.
Additional Services
Leaf Solution is a product supplier and manufacturer. Its consumer-facing services are limited to interactions with local contractors. Any additional services related to Leaf Solution gutter guards would, therefore, be provided directly by the installation company rather than the manufacturer.
LeafFilter, as a consumer-facing installation company, offers additional services:
- Downspout installation
- Gutter cleaning
- Gutter installation
- Gutter repair
However, it doesn’t offer these services outside of gutter guard installation. If you want your gutters repaired or to install an all-new gutter system, you’ll need to purchase LeafFilter gutter guards. LeafFilter doesn’t offer post-installation servicing outside of what’s outlined in its warranty and guarantee.
Quote and Installation Process
Leaf Solution doesn’t provide direct quotes or work estimates to homeowners. Rather, it supplies its products to local contractors, who deal directly with consumers to determine price and scheduling.
LeafFilter is a consumer-facing entity, so homeowners can deal directly with the company for quotes and scheduling.
Leaf Solution Quote and Installation Process
The fastest and surest way to find a professional installer that offers Leaf Solution products is to use the form provided by the company on its website. Input your name, home address, email, and phone number to receive a communication back from Leaf Solution with the contact information of a local contractor.
Once you’ve contacted the local contractor, you’ll schedule an appointment for a representative to come to your home and assess your gutter system. A quote for the job will then be provided. If you agree to the price, you can schedule your installation directly with the contractor.
LeafFilter Quote and Installation Process
The inspection and installation process for LeafFilter involves the following steps:
- A LeafFilter representative will inspect your gutters at your home. They’ll measure the total length of your gutters, check for damage, and measure your roof pitch.
- The representative will present an on-the-spot quote and then negotiate with you on price. If you agree to the quote, they’ll schedule an installation appointment.
- On the scheduled date, an installation team will clean and repair your gutters if needed and install your new gutter guards.
- You can register your warranty on LeafFilter’s website after installation.
Note that LeafFilter’s quote is good for a full year from the date you get it, giving you ample time to shop around and compare prices for gutter guards.
Our Testing Insights
Our firsthand testing process involved testing every type of gutter guard, and micro-mesh systems performed the best by a wide margin. Micro-mesh screens are also the easiest to clean because they offer a smooth surface from which debris slides off.
LeafFilter’s micro-mesh system is one of the best we’ve reviewed. Its guard is expertly built and performed as advertised during testing. In testing, LeafFilter’s micro-mesh screen blocked small and large debris while allowing water to flow freely into the gutter.
While we didn’t specifically test Leaf Solution’s “hemmed” micro-mesh, the concept and design are similar to other micro-mesh screens we tested.
Homeowners Reviews of Leaf Solution and LeafFilter
Sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, and Google can provide valuable information regarding a company’s quality and performance. Even well-established brands like LeafFilter may have branch locations with mixed customer reviews. We searched for reviews on third-party sites to compare LeafFilter and Leaf Solution on customer experience.
Leaf Solution Reviews
We were unable to find customer reviews for Leaf Solution from reliable, unbiased sources such as BBB and Trustpilot. We determined this lack of reviews is likely due to Leaf Solution’s role as an industrial supplier.
Unlike LeafFilter, which uses a customer-facing approach, Leaf Solution provides gutter guards directly to gutter installation and repair companies, making it a less common household name.
Homeowners can only interact with Leaf Solution products through a third-party installer, so they’re likely to leave a review for that installer instead of Leaf Solution. Even then, the review is as likely to reflect the consumer’s opinion about the installer as the product itself.
LeafFilter Reviews
LeafFilter has favorable reviews across the board. Its BBB page includes nearly 7,000 reviews with an average rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars. It has more than 126,000 reviews on Trustpilot, with an average rating of 4.3 stars.
Many customers praise the professionalism of LeafFilter sales representatives, installation crews, and customer service. Other positive reviews like the effectiveness of LeafFilter’s product and how easy it is to clean. Negative reviews mention uncleaned debris after installation, the guard’s tendency to freeze over in winter, and high-pressure sales tactics.
The following reviews highlight some of these common themes:
“LeafFilter’s technology is superior to all other gutter covers I’ve dealt with in 50 years. The secret is the surgical steel micro mesh that lets water through, but almost nothing else. The LeafFilter representative knows his product very well, is proud of it, and knows that LeafFilter has the installation teams to install them properly. I’ve tried many other brands over the years, but I wish I’d started with LeafFilter.” —John Haueisen via Trustpilot, January 2024
“I recently had LeafFilter gutter guards installed. First of all, i feel that I was overcharged by their high-pressure salesman. I now see that there is a section that the rain is running down the side of my house and another that has a very noticeable leak, in spite of the gutter seams supposedly being sealed. So far, I am very dissatisfied.” —Stephen Cook via Trustpilot, December 2024
Should You Choose LeafFilter or Leaf Solution?
Leaf Solution and LeafFilter offer similar products, but key details set them apart. LeafFilter screens have a tighter mesh, especially compared to the standard Leaf Solution gutter guard. This means LeafFilter may be better able to keep out smaller particles. Leaf Solution’s guards filter 60 gallons per minute, according to its website, which could make them a good choice for areas with heavy rainfall.
If you want the peace of mind of a lifetime warranty, LeafFilter is an excellent choice. While LeafFilter and Leaf Solution both offer high-quality products, we recommend getting quotes from at least three providers before booking and not being afraid to negotiate on price.
FAQs About LeafFilter and Leaf Solution
What is the difference between LeafFilter and Leaf Solution?
LeafFilter and Leaf Solution are similar but have a number of key differences. LeafFilter provides a single product, while Leaf Solution offers multiple gutter guard systems. LeafFilter also offers installation, gutter repair, and replacement services, while Leaf Solution is only a gutter guard supplier.
What is the downside of LeafFilter?
The biggest downside to LeafFilter is that you need to clean your gutters after installing them. While LeafFilter makes cleaning gutters easier and reduces the number of times you need to clean them, it doesn’t eliminate the need for gutter cleaning completely. We recommend cleaning your gutters once every year or two.
What is the downside of Leaf Solution?
The biggest downside of Leaf Solution is that it isn’t always easy to find a professional installer that offers Leaf Solution products. The fastest and surest way is to register using the company’s “homeowner” inquiry form on its website. You must provide your name, phone number, home address, and email to receive communication back from Leaf Solution with the contact information of a licensed contractor near you.
Can I install Leaf Solution miters on my existing gutters?
The company doesn’t recommend installing Leaf Solution miters on your existing gutters unless you have Leaf Solution already installed because its miters are customized to work best with Leaf Solution gutter guards. The miters are shaped to fit corners and other angles, eliminating potential gaps, stopping water overflow, and mitigating potential debris buildup. The company’s warranty specifically states that it is voided if Leaf Solution miters are combined with another company’s gutter guards.
How We Evaluated Gutter Guard Brands
To provide fair and accurate comparisons of the top gutter guard installers, we developed a comprehensive review methodology to measure and score brands. Our review standards were developed based on interviews with industry experts, consumer reviews and surveys, and the factors that guide homeowners as they make buying decisions, including material and design, warranty coverage, value, services offered, and effectiveness.
Our Rating System
Our rating system was derived from thorough research and hands-on experience. We analyzed gutter guard installers’ websites, tracked third-party ratings, and gauged consumer sentiment to complete our understanding of each gutter guard company. We reinforced this research with firsthand data by purchasing, installing, and testing gutter guard systems.
Here are a few details about our research methodology:
- First-party research: We comprehensively research each provider’s website to learn about its products, services, warranty, payment options, and more. We also collect proprietary data by surveying homeowners who have had gutter guards installed.
- Third-party ratings: We read and analyze consumer reviews and ratings on reputable third-party sites such as the BBB, Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and Yelp. This reveals potential patterns of customer complaints and favorable outcomes.
- Hands-on testing: For DIY gutter guard products, we order and test for filtration effectiveness, durability, and more. For installation companies, we request a showroom floor and perform a series of tests to determine performance and quality.
