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The Best Gutter Guards for Metal Roofs (Tested by Our Team)

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Written by Mike Miller + 1 other Fact-checked Updated 12/03/2024

Metal roofs are extremely durable, but they present unique challenges to your gutter system. Metal roofs have more intense water runoff, which can lead to overflows, water damage, and other expensive problems. If your gutters are clogged, this issue becomes much worse. Thankfully, you can install gutter guards to help prevent clogs and overflows.

Our team reviewed 16 of the best gutter guard companies and chose our top five for metal roofs. We recommend LeafFilter as the best overall gutter guard because its stainless steel micro-mesh screen can handle heavy runoff without overflowing and block debris as small as pollen. If you want something cheaper and don’t mind a little gruntwork, Waterlock’s micro-mesh guard is a good do-it-yourself (DIY) option. Its extra-fine filter is able to handle downpours and still protect your gutters from debris like pine needles and shingle grit. 

We made our recommendations by testing 12 brands firsthand and evaluating other key factors like price and customer review scores. We also consulted more than a dozen industry experts, surveyed gutter guard users, and spoke to homeowners directly.


Top Gutter Guard Companies for Metal Roofs

After reviewing most major gutter guard brands in the United States, we found that the following five work best with metal roofs:


Compare the Best Gutter Guards for Metal Roofs

The following table compares each gutter guard company in this article on key factors.

Company Star Rating Average Cost Warranty Link
4.7/5
$5,528Lifetime transferable
4.6/5
$5,270Lifetime transferable
4.2/5
$6,338Lifetime transferable
3.9/5
$5,868Lifetime transferable

To determine average pricing, we surveyed 1,000 gutter guard customers and asked how much they paid for their systems. We then calculated the average cost per linear foot for each brand and used that to estimate the price of a 200-foot gutter guard installation, which fits a standard 2,000-square-foot-home.

Note that Waterlock is significantly cheaper than professional brands at $1,054 for 200 linear feet of material. Like our other top picks, it’s a stainless steel micro-mesh guard with a lifetime transferable warranty. However, the price for professional brands includes a lot more additional benefits, such as professional installation and repair. Though DIY guards can save you money, installing them isn’t the easiest task. It involves working on a ladder for several hours and using some tools, such as a hand grinder. Installing gutter guards incorrectly can also make them ineffective or lead to other problems, so make sure you feel comfortable with the job.


How To Choose the Right Gutter Guard

Not all gutter guards are compatible with metal roofs. Reverse-curve designs have a small opening that can’t handle the heavy water runoff, so they’re more prone to overflowing. However, there are still several gutter guards that work well for metal roofs.

When shopping, we recommend considering each gutter guard’s cost, material, design, and warranty before making your final decision. The list below provides a closer look at each of these factors.

  • Average Cost (200 linear feet): $5,000–$7,000 for professional guards, $200–$1,000 for DIY
  • Material: Our testing found that stainless steel is the best material because of its corrosion resistance. Avoid materials like plastic or foam, as they’re not very effective and don’t last long.
  • Type: Micro-mesh is the most effective type of gutter guard for metal roofs because it withstands heavy runoff while still filtering out debris. We recommend avoiding other types if you have a metal roof.
  • Warranty: Lifetime transferable warranties are our favorite because they cover your gutter guards for the lifetime of your home and can be transferred to new homeowners. However, these warranties are rare. We recommend looking for a warranty of at least 50 years for professional guards and at least 15 years for DIY guards.

Our Reviews of the Best Professional Gutter Guard Companies

Here’s a detailed look at our top five gutter guards for metal roofs.

LeafFilter

4.7
Average Cost : $5,528 Gutter Guard Type : Micro-mesh Warranties : Lifetime transferable

We recommend LeafFilter for metal roofs for a few reasons. For one, it has one of the highest quality products we’ve seen, including a three-piece system with a 275-micron stainless steel micro-mesh screen. Though we tested LeafFilter’s guard on a shingle roof and not a metal one, we observed that its ultra-fine screen stopped 99% of debris while still letting water through. It didn’t overflow, even when we applied downpour levels. Other guards—particularly plastic products like Amerimax—overflowed during light rainfall and aren’t suitable for metal roofs.

 We also like that LeafFilter has a transferable lifetime warranty. These warranties are rare, since most companies only offer a “no-clog guarantee” that promises they’ll clean your system if it clogs or overflows. Instead, LeafFilter promises to completely refund you or replace your system if this happens.

That being said, we don’t love LeafFilter’s sales practices. In online reviews, customers reported that LeafFilter representatives would quote abnormally high prices (within the range of $7,000–$10,000) only to lower them during negotiation. LeafFilter customers had similar results when we surveyed them. While most of our respondents reported a price of $5,500, some cited costs upwards of $7,000. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon practice in the gutter guard industry. We recommend setting a firm budget, shopping for multiple quotes, and negotiating with your sales rep to bring your price within an acceptable range.

Company Overview

  • Blocked debris as small as shingle grit in testing 
  • Offers a lifetime transferable warranty, unlike some providers that only offer no-clog guarantees 
  • Has some of the highest customer review scores of all companies

Keep in Mind

  • Doesn’t offer additional services beyond installing gutter guards
  • Has received negative customer feedback for aggressive sales tactics

Customer Experiences

LeafFilter has generally positive reviews online compared to other providers. It has a 3.7 out of 5-star rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) based on 6,800 responses. Its Trustpilot page features more than 126,000 reviews, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Many customers write that they’re pleased with LeafFilter’s gutter guard performance, polite technicians, and promptness. Negative reviews include complaints of pushy sales tactics and inconsistent installation quality.

We bought a house in the country… We took a closer look and realized the house was missing 26 feet of gutters off a metal roof on the front porch. We knew we needed a new gutter ASAP. We had been getting emails, ads on Facebook, flyers in the mail for LeafFilter Gutter Protection. Suddenly, those flyers were of the utmost importance. We called LeafFilter for a cost estimate. They sent out Awbrie within a day or so. She is VERY knowledgeable of the product AND the company. Very personable. Very pleasant. We were thrilled to have met her. She set us up with an installer the next day! He came and did the work in about 2 hours. It looks great! Fast forward to the next heavy rainfall and voila! The driveway is still intact!” —Heidi H. via Trustpilot, October 2024

The product itself is great. However, their sales tactics are horrible. The commercial offers discounts to seniors and veterans. I am 66 and a veteran and was never offered the discounts. When asked, I was told that this one-day price was cheaper than with the discounts and the quote that’s good for a year. I had this product on another home we owned several years ago. I recommend it, but be careful of the sales pitch.” —John via Trustpilot,  September 2024

Gutter Guards America

4.6
Average Cost : $5,270 Gutter Guard Type : Micro-mesh Warranties : Lifetime transferable

Gutter Guards America (GGA) offers stainless steel micro-mesh gutter guards alongside a selection of services at a reasonable price. Its guards are designed with a wave-like pattern meant to help with self-cleaning and water passability. The system includes a reinforcing substructure, which makes it highly durable and more resistant to impacts. This should stop debris from entering your gutters while withstanding your metal roof’s strong water flow. Of the nearly 300 Gutter Guards America customers we surveyed, 89% percent of respondents were either satisfied or very satisfied with their system’s performance.

On the downside, Gutter Guards America doesn’t include warranty details on its website. While not always common, it’s nice when companies supply detailed warranty information before signing up so you know what you’re getting to. We also don’t like that the company claims its product will keep you off of ladders. This claim would only be true in very specific situations, like if you have a flat metal roof on a one-story home without surrounding trees. For most homes, you’ll still need to climb a ladder to clean your gutters guards every year or so.

Company Overview

  • Uses corrosion-resistant, surgical-grade stainless steel mesh 
  • Provides additional services, such as seamless gutter installation and roof repair
  • Has a unique filter pattern designed to improve water flow

Keep in Mind

  • Doesn’t include warranty details on its website, such as exclusions and conditions 
  • Has negative reviews that indicate inconsistent installation quality

Customer Experiences

Gutter Guards America only has a score of 1.4 out of 5 stars on the BBB, but this is only based on seven reviews, which isn’t a reliable sample size. Its Trustpilot page has nearly 700 reviews with an average score of 4.5 out of 5 stars, but that’s still a small number compared to companies like LeafFilter, which has over 100,000 reviews. After reading several hundred responses on Trustpilot and taking our survey into consideration, we think most of GGA’s customers have a positive experience. A common review theme is its speedy installations and strong product performance. Negative responses cite inconsistent installation quality. 

Will was fantastic and a great informative salesman. It took a minute to schedule an appointment for the actual install but when I finally heard from them, they were coming out the following day so that was great! The install went super smooth and they look great. Time will tell if they perform as well as Will says but based on other reviews I’m sure they will! Would gladly recommend the service to anyone else!” —Ethan Cortel-Fraser via Trustpilot, September 2024

On the front of my house the water comes behind the gutter in several places. This will cause problems soon with the wood being adversely affected. I would like someone to check this – maybe the gutter is not close enough to the roof.” —Joseph Hines via Trustpilot, July 2024

HomeCraft

4.2
Average Cost : $6,338 Gutter Guard Type : Micro-mesh Warranties : Lifetime transferable

We like HomeCraft Gutter Protection because it offers a well-designed gutter guard alongside a wide selection of services, including gutter cleaning, repairs, and replacements. Though not absolutely necessary, it makes it more convenient to get all of your gutter needs taken care of by one company.

HomeCraft’s gutter guards are made from a 304-marine-grade stainless steel filter, powder-coated aluminum frame, and reinforcing hangers. Systems that use high-quality materials like these can withstand constant moisture for decades, making them a good investment for metal roofs. Its built-in pitch and design help with 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, which it calls “raised screen technology.” This is something only HomeCraft has, but it feels like more of a marketing gimmick than something that actually helps water flow. Its pricing is also slightly higher than other reviewed providers, but it’s still within the $5,000–$7,000 industry standard. The more than 100 HomeCraft customers we surveyed reported an average of $6,338 for a 200-liner-foot system.

Company Overview

  • Uses a raised, diamond pattern screen that helps with self-cleaning
  • Offers various gutter-related services for added convenience
  • Includes a lifetime transferable warranty, similar to LeafFilters

Keep in Mind

  • Has reviews indicating poor communication and scheduling
  • Only operates in 12 states

Customer Experiences

HomeCraft has a 2.43 out of 5-star score on the BBB 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. Many customers praise HomeCraft’s polite, knowledgeable sales reps. When we called HomeCraft’s customer service line, we also found the associate to be friendly and helpful. Negative reviewers mention poor communication after installation.

Great experience and product. Team did a great job working through some steep slopes and around a shed to complete the installation. Nothing could have stopped them from finishing the job. Appreciate their hard work and Sarah’s follow-up call to confirm the install went well. Well done HomeCraft Gutter Protection.” — Sean S. via Truspilot, March 2022

We paid Homecraft to install gutters on our house. We recently learned they failed to install them on one side of the house. We had to pay a company to clean out the clogged gutter and they told us no guards had been installed in that section which is why it was clogged. We have been contacting Homecraft about this for months but get no resolution. Every person we call says they will forward it to management… I am requesting that they come out to my house and install the gutter guards we paid for if they are a reputable company. This should be easy for them to fix.” — Atalie via BBB,  September 2024

All American Gutter Protection

3.9
Average Cost : $5,868 Gutter Guard Type : Micro-mesh Warranties : Lifetime

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.

In addition to gutter guards, All American installs seamless aluminum gutters in over 30 colors. While most providers offer gutter installation, few provide this many color options. However, All American doesn’t provide other services like gutter cleaning or fascia repair, unlike companies such as HomeCraft and Gutter Guards America.

All American’s stainless steel and aluminum components should last 20 years or more in ideal conditions (similar to other brands like LeafFilter). The company has average pricing offers several discounts, such as senior and military discounts, a $300 off program, and a 20% off deal.

Company Overview

  • Uses micro-mesh gutter guards with a reinforcing substructure, allowing them to better withstand impacts
  • Offers aluminum gutters in over 30 colors  
  • Includes a host of discounts

Keep in Mind

  • Has a lower satisfaction rating compared to other brands 
  • Doesn’t offer other gutter-related services, such as cleaning or repairs

Customer Experiences

Unfortunately, All American Gutter Protection has the least reviews of every provider in this article. It only has a single review on Trustpilot and 37 on the BBB, with an average score of 3.2 out of 5 stars. Even after reading every comment, we don’t think it’s not enough to get an accurate picture of the customer experience. Positive comments highlight polite representatives and an effective product. Common complaints include poor communication, dropped appointments, rescheduling, and other customer service issues.

Of the 200 All American customers who responded to our survey, 71% were either satisfied or very satisfied with their gutter guards’ performance. Customers who used other gutter guard companies had similar satisfaction rates, though this is lower than some other brands, like Gutter Guards America. Overall, we think All American Gutter Protection offers a solid product but could improve in some areas of its customer service.

I had a great experience with All American Gutter Protection! I deal with a lot of people and companies when renovating houses, and when a company does a great job, it really stands out. I wish I could have this good of an experience with ALL of the trades I work with. I have had All American’s products installed on 3 houses so far in … Not only is this product going to save me time and maintenance costs on my rental properties, but it will help me to completely avoid disturbing my tenants for routine gutter cleaning… All were courteous, professional and really know what they are doing!” — Cathleen S. via the BBB, October 2023

A salesman from All American Gutters came to my house and reviewed the work that needed done. We came to an agreement on price and scope of work. The next week a subcontracted company came out to do the job. They were 3 hours late for the appointment and when they arrived they said they wouldn’t be able to do the work that day because they were running late and would have to reschedule. Almost a month later I received a text at 9pm from the salesmen saying they would no longer be able to do the work. Total lack of professionalism and waste of my time.” —Tyler C. via the BBB, April 2024

Waterlock Micro-Mesh

3.6
Average Cost : $1,054 Gutter Guard Type : Micro-mesh Warranties : Lifetime Transferrable

Unlike the other options in this article, Waterlock is a DIY gutter guard, meaning you’ll have to install it yourself. While professional gutter guards include better warranties, are more convenient, and are generally better products than DIY options, we think the quality of Waterlock’s filter makes it worth considering. Like most professional gutter guard products, Waterlock uses a micro-mesh filter set into a rigid aluminum frame. Its guard performed the best of any DIY brand we tested, blocking more debris and keeping out leaves, pine needles, twigs, shingle grit, and other small particles. It also handled the equivalent of a heavy downpour without overflowing, whereas most of the other DIY guards overflowed with a light shower’s worth of water.

Waterlock has two major downsides for metal roof owners. First, its price: Waterlock costs more than $1,000 for enough product to cover a 200-linear-foot gutter system. Normally, a DIY gutter guard would cost between $200 and $600 for that amount of material. It’s sold on Amazon in packs of 25–100 feet, so you’d need to buy between two and eight packs to cover an average-sized gutter. Also, keep in mind that it’s made from corrosion-resistant aluminum and stainless steel. These materials can interact negatively with certain metal roofs. For example, the aluminum frame may react to a galvanized (zinc-coated) roof in a process called dissimilar metal corrosion. Before buying a gutter guard, check how the materials of the guard may react to your metal roof. If you’re unsure about how to do this, we recommend asking a roofing or gutter professional.

Company Overview

  • Makes guards from stainless steel micro-mesh, whereas other DIY brands use plastic or aluminum 
  • Includes a lifetime transferable warranty, which is rare for DIY brands 
  • Is easier to install compared to other high-end DIY guards

Keep in Mind

  • Has a heavy frame that won’t fit every gutter type 
  • Costs more than other DIY brands

Customer Experiences

Waterlock’s micro-mesh guard has more than 676 reviews and 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon—this is a smaller pool of reviews compared to other DIY gutter guards, but more than most of the professional companies in this article. Customers say that Waterlock keeps debris out of their systems, reduces gutter cleaning time, and isn’t hard to install. The negative reviews note that these guards won’t fit on gutters with nail and ferrule systems. Nail and ferrules are internal hangers that use a tube (the ferrule) that runs along the inside of the gutter instead of fastening to the bottom of the system.

Very impressed with overall quality (finish, design, sturdiness, installation method). I have made several attempts at leaf gutter systems without much success (either not enough filtering or too much and overflows). It’s looking like this product will actually do the job finally! The installation method is very secure, paint finish, metal screen, and thickness of the aluminum, it’s a top notch product not going to find in your local box store. You have to be comfortable with a hand grinder with metal cutting blade to perform the install (not to mention secure ladder that is not resting on the gutter, ie use a stabilizer), insider corners are OK, outside corners might be trickiest to deal with if you have a lot of them, order a few feet and test it out.” —Mark via Amazon, October 2024

My gutters are hung using spikes and ferrules. These gutter guards have an extra deep trough at the front lip of the guard. This deep trough does NOT allow the gutter guard to slip onto the front lip of the gutter. Each 5ft gutter guard had to have this deep trough carefully trimmed back using small metal cutters at two places where the ferrules were located on the gutter. So for me it was 1) Climb up the ladder with the gutter guard. 2) Mark the locations of the ferrules. 3) Climb back down the ladder with the gutter guard. 4) Trim out the marked ferrule locations.5) Climb back up and secure the gutter guard to the gutter. Approximately 20 minutes for each 5ft gutter guard!! These gutter guard are very sturdy and look great! Just not so great if you have spike and ferrule hangers.” — Michael B. via Amazon, April 2024


Advice From Homeowners

We spoke to John T.,  a homeowner in Charlotte, North Carolina, to learn more about issues he faces when dealing with his gutter system. John has several trees around his home, and his gutters frequently get clogged with materials like pine needles, seedpods, and deciduous tree leaves, which can be hard to remove. 

John said that remembering to clean or repair his gutters regularly is a problem for him. “If I don’t schedule or remind myself, it doesn’t get done until damage or issues are happening.” 

John recommends setting reminders and working with professional companies to inspect and handle issues promptly. This is especially good advice if you have a metal roof, because even though they last longer than traditional shingles, they can be damaged by constant moisture, oxidation, and other problems. Having consistent inspections by a roofing or gutter professional can help spot early problems before they become expensive headaches.


What Is the Best Type of Gutter for a Metal Roof?

K-style gutters are the best option for metal roofs. This is because they can withstand heavier water flow than other types of gutters, such as half-round. K-style gutters are also durable and more compatible with gutter guards than other options.


How We Evaluated Gutter Guards

Here is a brief overview of how we evaluated gutter guards when making our recommendations.. 

Our Rating System

We scored each brand against our rigorous rating system, determining which offers the strongest combination of material and design, value, warranty coverage, customer reviews, services offered, and effectiveness. DIY guards don’t come with additional services, so we instead considered ease of installation when evaluating DIY products. 

  • Material and design: Gutter guards that use high-quality materials, such as stainless steel, earned more points than products using lower-end materials like plastic. Similarly, we awarded more points to guards with efficient designs, like those that use micro-mesh filters.
  • Value: Gutter guard companies with prices that fall in line or under the industry standard earned more points in this category. We also awarded extra points to companies that offer bonuses like free inspection or discounts.
  • Warranty coverage: A warranty provides valuable financial protection in the event of an installation error. Gutter guard companies that offer long-lasting, clearly defined warranties earned more points in this category.
  • Customer reviews: Customer reviews provide insights into the performance of a company. As such, brands and products with better customer review scores earned more in this category.
  • Services offered: Gutter companies that offer a diverse range of additional services provide more value to their customers. We awarded more points to companies that offer essential gutter-related services, such as gutter cleaning or downspout installation. 
  • Effectiveness: This category assesses the overall performance of a gutter guard. Guards that keep out debris, allow water to flow freely through, and are easy to clean, earn more points. 
  • Firsthand testing: We tested 12 different gutter guards firsthand to determine how they performed. We tested each product’s durability, water passability, debris filtration, overall construction, and ease of cleaning. 

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.