2025 Gutter Guards Survey Results 

Our team surveyed 1,000 homeowners nationwide about gutter guards in January 2025. We found that Leafguard is the most popular gutter guard provider, and most homeowners purchased gutter guards to alleviate the accumulation of leaves in their gutters.

We also discovered that most homeowners who purchased gutter guards to protect their gutter systems preferred professional installation over do-it-yourself (DIY) options, and a majority said they were satisfied with the workmanship of their installation.

This report provides a deep dive into the insights our survey revealed about the gutter guard industry.

How Much Do Gutter Guards Cost?

Our survey revealed that the average customer spent $3,262 on their gutter guard installation. Prices varied significantly based on the style, material, and total linear footage of the gutter system. The majority of respondents reported installations between 50 and 200 linear feet. The most common installation size reported by respondents was 200 feet.

Many homeowners were able to reduce their installation costs through negotiation. Of the 45% who attempted to negotiate their initial quote, 91% secured a lower price.

The cost per linear foot varied by guard style, with higher-end gutter guard types like reverse-curve and micro-mesh commanding premium prices compared to simpler options like foam inserts.

Top Gutter Guard Providers

Our survey showed that national brands ranked the highest in the gutter guards market. Leafguard captured the largest market share at 41% of all installations among homeowners. LeafFilter followed with 23%, while Gutter Guards America secured 11% of the market. Regional and local providers collectively represented 14% of installations.

In general, the best gutter guard companies provide timely, affordable service and deliver on promises related to debris filtering. The table below shows the top five gutter guard companies listed by our survey respondents, along with the average cost per linear foot for each provider.

Installation Experience and Satisfaction

The overall installation experience for gutter guards was overwhelmingly positive among homeowners in our survey, with a combined 93% of respondents reporting they were either “very satisfied” (66%) or “somewhat satisfied” (27%) with the workmanship of their installation.

This high satisfaction rate suggests that professional installation, the predominant choice among surveyed homeowners, delivers consistent results across different providers and guard styles.

Positive Installation Experience

An important aspect of customer satisfaction with the installation experience is the peace of mind homeowners receive knowing the work is protected by a warranty. As reported by survey respondents, 85% of installations came with warranty coverage.

Warranty claim experiences were also largely favorable. Among the 17% of warranty-covered customers who filed claims, a combined 92% reported being either “very satisfied” (65%) or “somewhat satisfied” (27%) with the process.

Negative Installation Experience

A small percentage of homeowners reported dissatisfaction with their installations. Only 0.9% of respondents were “somewhat dissatisfied” or “very dissatisfied” with the workmanship, suggesting that while negative experiences do occur, they’re relatively rare among major providers.

Unsatisfied respondents cited installation issues that weren’t immediately apparent, such as improper angling that only became evident during heavy rainfall, or connections that failed over time. One way to ensure a gutter guard system is effective is to test it under actual weather conditions.

Why Do People Buy Gutter Guards?

The primary motivation for purchasing gutter guards was homeowners wanting to reduce the need to clean gutters and conduct other maintenance through effective debris filtration. Before installation, nearly 90% of homeowners cleaned their gutters at least once annually, with 46% cleaning them twice or more per year. After installing guards, 44% of homeowners reported never needing to clean their gutters at all, while only 19% still maintained a twice-yearly or more frequent cleaning schedule.

Based on our survey results, reduced maintenance requirements led to time saved. A combined 63% of respondents reported saving at least four hours of gutter maintenance time annually, with nearly 20% saving eight hours or more. This time-saving benefit was consistently valued across homeowners living in various regions and home types, highlighting the universal appeal of reduced gutter maintenance.

Protection from specific regional debris challenges also motivated purchases. An overwhelming 91% of respondents cited leaves as their primary debris concern, followed by dirt (63%), pine needles (41%), and pollen (37%). More specialized concerns included maple seeds or “helicopters” (26%) and pine cones (21%), reflecting regional vegetation patterns that influence gutter guard selection.

The table below shows the most troublesome debris and the percentage of respondents who cited each type as their biggest concern.

Pest deterrence emerged as a secondary but significant motivation. Squirrels (49%), birds (47%), and stinging insects (35%) were the most commonly cited pest concerns, followed by mosquitoes (30%), which breed in standing water that can accumulate in clogged gutters. The ability of gutter guards to prevent nesting and breeding grounds for these pests added substantial perceived value beyond simple debris management.

The table below shows the percentage of pests mentioned by respondents as the primary concern.

Regional Insights on Gutter Guards

Naturally, regional climate conditions affect preferences for gutter guards. Different plant and animal populations require different debris filtration solutions. For example, a homeowner in North Carolina might feel most concerned about the accumulation of pine needles, while a homeowner in Vermont might need to think more about preventing ice dams in their gutters during the winter.

Here’s a brief rundown of regional insights from our survey:

• Northeast: Homeowners in New England and other regions of the Northeast preferred gutter guards designed to prevent ice dams. Leaf debris was particularly problematic, with 94% of homeowners in this region reporting leaves as their primary debris concern.
• Midwest: Homeowners in leaf-heavy regions favored flat screen and micro-mesh guards for a more effective handling of deciduous debris. The ability to handle “maple helicopters” was rated as particularly important, with 41% of Midwestern homeowners citing these seed pods as a major concern compared to 26% of homeowners nationwide.
• South: High gutter guard buying rates were driven by heavy rainfall and storm frequency, with reverse curve and micro-mesh styles leading in popularity. Pine needles were a significant challenge in southern states, according to 52% of southern homeowners compared to 41% nationwide, making fine-mesh solutions particularly valuable in this region.
• West: Fire resistance emerged as a critical concern, with metal mesh guards preferred in wildfire-prone areas. Pine needle management was crucial, with 64% of western homeowners citing pine needles as a primary concern, substantially higher than the 41% national average.

Common Trends in the Gutter Guards Industry

Our survey also shed light on consumer preferences and revealed a number of trends in the gutter guards market. 

• Professional vs. DIY: Customers strongly preferred professional gutter guard installation over do-it-yourself (DIY) options across all guard types and price points, reflecting a desire for proper installation and warranty coverage.
• Information-driven purchasing: Online research was the most common decision-making tool (60), followed by personal recommendations (49%), highlighting the importance of digital presence and reputation for gutter guard providers.
• Micro-mesh gaining market share: While screen guards currently lead in market share (43%), micro-mesh guards (30%) showed the highest satisfaction rates and appear to be gaining popularity, particularly among new construction homes where lifetime solutions are prioritized.
• Warranty as a selling point: With 85% of installations including warranty coverage, this feature has become a standard expectation rather than a premium add-on, forcing providers to compete on warranty terms and service quality.
• Negotiation effectiveness: The high success rate (91%) among homeowners who negotiated prices suggests the market allows for significant price flexibility, with providers willing to adjust pricing to secure business in this competitive industry.

Are Gutter Guards Worth It?

Based on our survey results, the overwhelming majority of homeowners find gutter guards a worthwhile investment.

The value of these products becomes particularly clear when looking at our survey responses about maintenance reduction. With 44% of homeowners eliminating gutter cleaning entirely and another 38% reducing it to just once per year, the time-saving benefits alone can justify the investment.

When factoring in the potential for preventing costly water damage to foundations, basements, and roofing structures, gutter guards represent a preventative maintenance solution with both immediate quality-of-life benefits and long-term property protection value.

Our Survey Methodology

We conducted a comprehensive survey of 1,000 U.S. homeowners nationwide in January 2025 to explore the reasons why they purchased gutter guards, how much they paid, their level of satisfaction with their system, and other significant information. The survey was run through Pollfish.

We made sure to include voices from across the country, with participants representing every U.S. region and a diverse mix of homeowner profiles. The age of respondents ranged from 18–81 years old. Men accounted for 55% of the respondents, and women accounted for 45%. Most respondents were in their 20s–60s, and while 59% work full-time, our survey also captured perspectives from retirees, homemakers, part-time workers, and those between jobs. This representation helped ensure our results provide a well-rounded view of consumer preferences when buying gutter guards, as well as important insights into the residential gutter market.