One of these gutter guards won’t totally free you of ladder duty, but it could buy you time between checkups.
Mesh-screen caps
- How they work: A vinyl, plastic, or metal grid sits atop the gutter, letting water in while keeping leaves out.
- Your job: Brushing aside any accumulated debris from time to time to prevent runoff from cascading over the face of the gutter.
- The cost: Seamless, pro-installed systems start near $5 per linear foot, while snap-on DIY options, which are more visible, start at about 33 cents per foot.
Foam inserts
- How they work A porous foam that fits half-round or K-style gutters blocks leaves while letting water through. These DIY guards often come in 4-foot sections that are easily trimmed to turn corners or fit around hangers. Because they nest inside the gutter, they’re hidden from view.
- Your job: Regular debris removal.
- The cost: From $1.75 to $3.50 per linear foot.
Surface-tension hoods
- How they work: As with mesh, a hood (shown above) sits on top; water follows its rounded edge and flows into the gutter, though heavy rains can overwhelm it. Some hoods have clips that make it easy to remove them to check gutters.
- Your job: Occasional clearing of small debris.
- The cost: From $15 per linear foot when a pro installs them, and from $2.50 if it’s DIY.