While gutter guards are an upfront investment for homeowners, they can save you time and money by keeping debris out of your gutters and reducing how often you need to clean them. In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits, costs, and features of the best gutter guards to help you decide if they’re a worthwhile investment for your home.

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What Are Gutter Guards?

Gutter guards are protective covers or inserts for your existing gutters. They create a barrier that blocks leaves, twigs, and other big debris from getting into your gutters while still letting water flow through. This means your gutters won’t clog up as easily, and you won’t have to clean them as often. 

Before deciding if gutter guards are right for you, it’s helpful to know about the different types and how they might work for your home.

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The Benefits of Installing Gutter Guards

Gutter guards offer several advantages, especially if you’re tired of dealing with clogged gutters. Here’s why many homeowners think they’re worth it.

Protection Against Debris

Gutter guards help keep leaves, twigs, and other debris from piling up in your gutters. This means less chance of clogs, which can cause water to overflow and damage your home’s foundation, walls, and landscaping. By reducing these risks, gutter guards might save you money on expensive repairs down the line.

Less Time Spent Cleaning

When you have gutter guards, you won’t need to clean your gutters as often. They don’t completely get rid of maintenance, but they cut down on how frequently you need to do it. This is great if you don’t like climbing ladders or if it’s hard for you to do so. With fewer cleanings, you can spend your time and energy on other things around the house.

Boosted Curb Appeal

Gutter guards can make your home look better by preventing messy, overflowing gutters and protecting your exterior from water damage. Some types of gutter guards, particularly those that blend seamlessly with your roofline, can boost your home’s curb appeal. A neat and well-maintained house can attract buyers and improve how your property looks overall.

The Downsides of Gutter Guards

While gutter guards can be great to reduce cleaning time and protect against debris, they have some downsides worth considering. Gutter guards have a higher up front cost than paying for gutter cleanings, and some gutter guards are prone to ice dams, which can prevent proper drainage in the winter season. You should consider your local climate, as well as how often you currently need to clean your gutters when determining if gutter guards are right for you.

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Types of Gutter Guards: Choosing the Right Option

There are several types of gutter guards available, each with its own pros and cons. The right type of gutter guard depends on your specific requirements, including things like your local weather, how many trees are around your house, and how much maintenance you’re willing to do.

Micro-Mesh Guards

These use a fine stainless steel mesh to filter out even small debris while allowing water to pass through. They’re highly effective and durable, often lasting 20 years or longer with minimal maintenance. Their superior filtration makes them ideal if you have a lot of smaller debris, such as pine needles and roof grit, in your gutters.

Reverse Curve Guards

Also known as surface tension guards, reverse curve guards use the principle of water adhesion to direct water into the gutter while debris falls to the ground. They’re great for large debris but may struggle with smaller particles like pine needles. Because they’re complex, getting them professionally installed can boost their effectiveness.

Brush Guards

These look like big pipe cleaners that sit inside your gutters. They let water flow through while catching debris in their bristles. They work well but might need to be cleaned more often than other types. If you want something easy to install and don’t mind taking them out now and then to clean, brush guards could be a good option.

Foam Guards

Foam guards are porous inserts that fit inside your gutters. They allow water to pass through while blocking debris. On the downside, they might not last as long as other options and can get moldy. They could work as a short-term fix, but you’ll need to check them regularly to make sure they’re holding up.

Screen Guards

These are perforated covers that fit over your gutters. They’re usually more affordable but might not block smaller debris as well as micro-mesh guards can. If you’re on a budget and mostly deal with bigger leaves or twigs, screen guards could be a good choice.

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Cost Breakdown: Gutter Guards vs. Traditional Cleaning

Before you decide on gutter guards, it’s good to compare the upfront costs with what you might save over time. This way, you can make the best choice for your wallet.

Initial Investment and Installation Costs

Professional gutter guard installation typically costs between $4,000 and $7,000. DIY options are generally less expensive, ranging from $170 and $700. Installation costs can vary based on the type of gutter guard selected and your home’s specific requirements. An average 2,000 square foot home will need around 200 linear feet of gutters to cover the entire roof.

Saving Money Over Time

While the upfront cost may seem high, gutter guards can provide significant long-term savings. You’ll likely spend less on professional gutter cleaning, and you might avoid costly repairs from water damage. Plus, many gutter guards come with long warranties, sometimes 20 years or more. By protecting your home, you could also boost its resale value.

The following table provides a more comprehensive breakdown of gutter guards:

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Potential Drawbacks of Gutter Guards

Gutter guards aren’t perfect. Here are some things to keep in mind before you decide to install them.

Installation Challenges

Some gutter guard systems require professional installation, which adds to the overall cost. If you try to install them yourself and make a mistake, you could void your roof warranty or cause drainage problems. 

Poor Performance in Extreme Weather

If you live somewhere with a lot of snow or ice, certain gutter guards might actually cause ice dams. In heavy rain, some guards can’t handle all the water, which could make your gutters overflow. Picking the right type for your climate can help avoid these issues.

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Should You DIY or Hire a Gutter Guard Installation Pro?

The decision between DIY and professional installation depends on a few factors. Thinking them through can help you make the best choice for your situation.

Pros and Cons of DIY Installation

DIY installation can save you money upfront, especially if you’re handy. But it takes time, effort, and the right tools. If you don’t install them correctly, they might not work well or could void the warranty. Be honest with yourself about your skills before you decide to DIY.

Benefits of Professional Installation

Hiring a professional means your gutter guards will be installed correctly. Professionals have the experience and tools to handle complex rooflines and can usually get the job done faster. Many companies also offer warranties on both the product and installation, which can give peace of mind to those who prefer a more hands-off approach to home maintenance.

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Maintenance Requirements for Gutter Guards

While gutter guards reduce maintenance needs, they don’t entirely get rid of them. Knowing what to do can prevent issues and extend the life of the guards.

Cleaning and Inspection Frequency

You’ll want to inspect and lightly clean your gutter guards at least once a year, depending on what the manufacturer of your system recommends. This helps keep them working well so you can catch any small issues before they turn into big problems.

How To Make Them Last

To keep your gutter guards in good shape, check them regularly, clean them gently, and fix any damage right away. Don’t use harsh chemicals or pressure washers, as these can harm some types of guards.

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Gutter Guards in Different Climates

Gutter guard effectiveness can vary depending on your local climate and environment. Choosing the right ones for your climate and surroundings is important.

If You Have Heavy Foliage

Gutter guards can be particularly helpful if your house is surrounded by trees. They stop leaves and twigs from clogging your gutters, so you don’t have to clean them as often. Just make sure to pick a type that handles the kind of debris you get.

If You Get Snow and Ice

In cold climates, some gutter guard systems can help prevent ice dams by allowing melting snow to drain properly. But you need to choose a system designed for cold weather performance to avoid potential issues with ice buildup on the guards themselves.

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Which Professional Gutter Guard Companies Do We Recommend?

Our team read hundreds of customer reviews, searched through company histories, and analyzed each gutter guard product based on its materials, performance, and quality. We also purchased, installed, and tested every major type of DIY gutter guard to determine the most effective option. Our testing included assessments of debris filtration, water passibility, durability, and appearance.

After comparing each gutter guard against our objective rating and review methodology, we chose the following professionally installed gutter guards as our top recommendations:

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Compare Gutter Guard Providers

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Our Conclusion

For many homeowners, especially those tired of cleaning gutters or living near lots of trees, gutter guards can be a smart investment. Though there’s an upfront cost, the long-term benefits—like less maintenance, protection from water damage, and even boosting your home’s value—can make it worthwhile.

But before you decide, think about your specific needs, your local climate, and your budget. If you go for gutter guards, pick a good quality system and think about hiring a pro to install them.

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FAQ About Gutter Guards

Do you still need to clean gutters with gutter guards?

In most cases, you still need to clean gutters with gutter guards. However, by blocking most debris, gutter guards can make the job easier or less frequent. How often you need to clean gutters with gutter guards depends on the brand and type of guard.

How do I install gutter guards?

The exact process of installing gutter guards will vary. However, most installations will involve the following steps:

1. Clean and test your gutters.
2. Repair any leaks or damage.
3. Measure and cut the product, if necessary.
4. Place the gutter guards.
5. Secure the gutter guards.

Do gutter guards work for all types of roofs?

Gutter guards can be installed on all types of roofs. However, the options and level of difficulty may vary depending on the pitch and style of your roof. Consider hiring a professional if you have a particularly steep roof, a metal roof, or another unusual feature.

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Our Rating Methodology

We back up our gutter guard recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each gutter guard product and provider. We conduct research by reviewing product specifications and provider website information, speaking with customer representatives, and analyzing customer reviews. We reinforce this research with thorough firsthand product testing, assessing each gutter guard’s durability, quality, filtration, and cleanability. To date, we’ve tested more than a dozen professionally installed and DIY gutter guard products. We then score each provider against our review standards for gutter guard design, customer support, the quote process, services, and reviews to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.

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