Properly functioning gutters can protect your home from water damage, and gutter guards enhance this protection by preventing clogs and reducing maintenance. These guards act as a barrier, keeping out leaves, twigs, and other debris while allowing water to flow freely through your gutter system.
With various gutter guard types available—including brush guards, mesh screens, and surface tension helmets—homeowners can choose a solution that best suits their needs, budget, and climate. Installing the right gutter guard can extend the life of your gutters, minimize upkeep, and help safeguard your home’s foundation from costly water-related issues.
What Is a Gutter Guard?
Gutters direct the flow of water away from your home and foundation, and gutter guards assist in this effort. Gutter guards fasten on top of or around your gutters to protect your house’s existing gutter system.
Gutter guards provide many benefits. They protect the inside of your gutters from ultraviolet (UV) rays that can damage sealant and prevent pests from crawling into gutters or damaging your roof. They also make it easier for homeowners to clean out dirt, debris, leaves, and twigs.
Gutters can get clogged without the help of gutter guards and may crack or break. Replacing gutters is an expensive, time-intensive job, and gutter protection using gutter guards could save you considerable time and money.
Different Types of Gutter Guards
If you’re trying to decide which gutter guard type is right for you, consider what suits your budget, home aesthetic, and style. Below are the main types of gutter guards:
Brush Guards
Brush gutter guards resemble large-bristle brushes and sit directly inside your gutters. Brush gutter guards are designed to be one of the best guards for blocking pine needles, twigs, and leaves from clogging gutters, while the open-air construction allows water to flow through your gutters normally.
Brush gutter guards offer easy installation and replacement and require no special skills to install. Smaller particles can stick to the brush, though, and they can be difficult to remove by hand. Brush guards need regular maintenance to keep them working at peak capacity.
Foam Inserts
You can slip foam inserts directly into your gutters without any special skills. Foam gutters are affordable, versatile, and available in a wide variety of colors and styles.
There are many downsides to foam gutters, though. They aren’t long-lasting and deteriorate after a few seasons. Large debris can also pile on top of foam gutter guards and homeowners must manually remove such buildup. Foam gutter guards don’t offer good airflow, either.
PVC Covers
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gutter guards are among the most durable guards and can protect your gutters from large debris and sticks. PVC covers are mildew-resistant and work effectively in most weather conditions.
PVC gutter guard covers can be difficult to install through do-it-yourself (DIY) methods, though, so most homeowners opt for professional installation. They can also be expensive to replace and require immediate maintenance if they crack or incur water damage.
Mesh Screens
Mesh screen gutter guards are popular, high-quality, durable, and excellent in harsh weather. They can last for several decades with regular gutter maintenance and aren’t very noticeable, meaning they won’t affect your home’s curb appeal. Mesh screens allow for optimal water flow through gutters, too.
Mesh screens are expensive, however, and can be a tough DIY gutter guard installation method for homeowners to master.
Micro-Mesh Guards
Micro-mesh gutter guards are similar to basic mesh gutter guards but have much smaller holes that allow for small particles to pass through. These stainless steel or aluminum gutter guards are attractive to the eye. Stainless steel micro-mesh guards can last up to three decades and are very durable in all weather conditions.
These types of guards are high maintenance and require regular cleaning and immediate attention if damage occurs.
Surface Tension Helmets
Surface tension helmets conduct water into the eaves troughs of your home and prevent leaves and other debris from falling into gutters from above. These guards stand out because they completely cover the top of the eaves trough.
The downsides of gutter helmets are that they’re heavy and bulky to install, requiring professional gutter guard installation. You’ll also need to hire experts to clean and maintain surface tension helmets.
How To Choose the Right Gutter Guard
Choosing the best gutter guard for your home depends on several key factors, including your material, roof style, and the type of debris in your area. Consider the following when making your decision:
- Debris type: Determine whether your gutters are more prone to large debris such as leaves, twigs, pine needles or small particles such as pollen, dirt, shingle granules. Micro-mesh or mesh guards work well for fine debris, while brush and foam guards can handle larger materials. In our recent survey of gutter guards owners, 91% of customers choose leaves as the primary debris they wanted to protect against with their gutter guards purchase.
- Aesthetic appeal: If curb appeal is a concern, we recommend choosing gutter guards that blend well with your roof and gutters. Mesh and micro-mesh guards are often low-profile, while surface tension helmets are more visible but offer complete coverage. The most common type of gutter guard installed by 43% of respondents in our recent survey was mesh screen guards.
- Pests: Homeowners often have pest issues in their gutters—so consider which pests you need to keep out with your purchase. About 49% of customers in our recent survey say squirrels were the most important pest to keep out of their gutters.
- Budget and cost: Gutter guard prices vary widely based on material, durability, and installation requirements. According to our recent survey, about 45% of customers paid between $2,000 and $3,000 for their gutter guard installation.
By evaluating these factors, you can select the right gutter guard to enhance your home’s water drainage system and reduce maintenance needs.
Gutter Guard Installation and Maintenance
The gutter guard installation process varies depending on which type of guard you choose. Types such as PVC covers are heavy and time-consuming to install, so it might be best to hire a professional. A contractor will examine the gutter system, downspouts, and roof before providing a price for installing gutter guards. Brush guards and foam inserts, on the other hand, are perfect for DIY installation.
Required maintenance varies depending on the gutter type as well. Some gutter guard varieties need regular attention from a home improvement company and many contracting companies offer a lifetime roof warranty. Homeowners can inspect other types such as brush guards on their own.
Schedule inspections after severe weather events, especially if you notice damaging winds or windblown branches. Cracks or breaks that form in gutter guards could compromise the integrity of the whole system. Also have experts inspect where gutter hangers connect to the house’s fascia board and consider asking them to check the condition of your home’s roof shingles.
Compare the Best Gutter Guard Brands
Learn more about top gutter guard providers in the table below.
| 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 | |
HomeCraft Gutter ProtectionRead Our Review |  | A+ | $15.68 per linear foot | Lifetime transferable | |
All American Gutter ProtectionRead Our Review |  | A | $15.77 per linear foot | Lifetime |
Our Conclusion
Gutter guards are an essential part of your home’s roofing system. They protect your gutters from corrosion, prevent clogging, and stop dirt and larger debris buildup. Think about aesthetics, curb appeal, your budget, and overall installation goals when deciding which new gutter type is right for you. Remember that some gutter guards require professional installation while others can be installed using DIY methods.
Commit to regular gutter maintenance appointments once you’ve successfully installed the system. If you regularly maintain and clean gutters, they’ll likely be able to perform at peak capacity for years to come.
FAQs About Types of Gutter Guards
What is the most effective type of gutter guard?
The most effective type of gutter guard is whichever one works best for your property and financial needs. Consider your budget, the style of your roof, and the climate in your area.
How many different types of gutter guards are there?
There are about 10 different varieties of gutter guards and even more variations on those styles. Mesh screens and foam inserts are two popular types.
How do I choose a gutter guard?
To choose the right gutter guard, consider your curb appeal goals, budget, and the type of weather that’s common in your area. If your area gets a lot of heavy rain, choose a gutter guard type that’s resilient and long-lasting such as a PVC gutter cover, such as one of our most recommended gutter guards for heavy rain.
What is the difference between LeafFilter and Leafguard?
LeafFilter and Leafguard are two of the top gutter guard brands. LeafFilter gutter guards come as a three-piece micro-mesh system that attaches to existing gutters while Leafguard features a one-piece, reverse-curve gutter guard system.
Are gutter guards worth the investment?
Gutter guards are typically worth it despite the upfront expense. Gutter guards protect your gutters from clogging and make it easier for regular gutter cleaning.
