The Best Gutter Guards of 2024 (Tested)
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Many gutter guard brands claim to protect your gutters and reduce the frequency of gutter cleaning, but not all guards are effective at preventing debris buildup and promoting water flow. We tested 15 gutter guards, including professionally installed and DIY products, and surveyed 1,000 homeowners who purchased gutter guards to help you find the best gutter guard system for your home.
We recommend LeafFilter as the best professionally installed gutter guard and Raptor as the top DIY product. LeafFilterโs high-quality micro-mesh design blocked debris as small as shingle grit during testing. Raptorโs micro-mesh guard blocked pine needles and leaves while promoting water flow. Our thorough testing determined that stainless steel micro-mesh is the most effective gutter guard type overall. Below, we will provide a comprehensive guide to choosing the best gutter guard for your needs.
Our Picks for the Best Gutter Guards of 2024
The Best Pro Gutter Guards
The Best DIY Gutter Guards
What Kind of Gutter Guards Are You Looking For?
Compare Professionally Installed Gutter Guards
Review how the top professionally installed gutter guards compare on price, BBB rating, warranty, and more in the table below. We surveyed 1,000 homeowners who have had gutter guards installed on their homes to determine the average pricing for a 200-linear-foot gutter guard system installation.
Top Professional Gutter Guard Providers
Professional gutter guards are typically made with higher-quality materials and come with longer-lasting warranties than their DIY counterparts. Here are our top picks for professional gutter guards.
Top DIY Gutter Guard Providers
DIY gutter guards can be an effective and low-cost solution for clogged gutters. Note that youโll install DIY gutter guards yourself, and quality varies greatly between products. DIY guards can be a good choice if youโre comfortable working on a ladder and want to save money on your gutter guard installation.
To help you find the best guards for your home, weโve purchased, installed, and tested every major product on the market. Hereโs a selection of our top picks:
Which Companies Didn’t Make the List?
There are dozens of national gutter guard companies and hundreds of DIY products. We curated a list of our favorite options and excluded any brand or company that performed poorly against our review standards. Some of the brands that didnโt make the list can be useful in niche circumstances. Review two of these guards below.
GutterBrush
GutterBrush is a DIY product that resembles a large pipe cleaner. Brush gutter guards have a central steel cable and connecting plastic bristles. This design is prone to clogging and won’t block small debris from entering your gutters. Itโs sold on Amazon for $199 per 60 feet and will cost $730 to install on a 200-linear-foot gutter system. This product is easy to install, making it a good option for homeowners looking for a quick fix.
All American Gutter Protection
All American Gutter Protection is a smaller brand that could be a good fit if you live in one of the 15 states it serves. We excluded All American from our list of the best gutter guards due to its limited operating area, customer complaints indicating that it doesnโt always honor its warranty, and its lack of additional services. However, it offers generous discounts for homeowners.
How We Tested and Chose the Best Gutter Guards
What You Need To Know About Gutter Guards
There are two main categories of gutter guards to choose from: professionally installed brands and DIY products. Within these broad categories are multiple types of guards, from stainless steel micro-mesh guards to sturdy reverse curve gutter helmets.
Itโs easy to become overwhelmed by the variety of brands, products, and materials available when shopping for gutter guards. โThe material of the gutter guard is essential,โ says Andrew Johnson, CEO of Prime Seamless Gutters & Roofing. โHomeowners should look for durable materials like stainless steel or aluminum.โ Below, weโll take a closer look at each type and material to help you find the best one for your home.
How Do Different Types of Gutter Guards Compare?
The following table compares the main types of gutter guards, including what situations they perform best in and a cost range for DIY and professional installations. The low-end cost factors in materials such as plastic and vinyl, while high-end materials such as stainless steel are factored into the higher end of the cost range.
Gutter Guard Type | Best For | DIY Cost | Professional Installation Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Micro-mesh | Areas with heavy foliage; long-term investments | $150โ$625 | $4,000โ$8,000 |
Mesh | Areas with intense rainfall and deciduous trees | $45โ$199 | $700โ$1,950 |
Screen | Areas with high winds; homes that experience falling tree limbs | $150โ$265 | $500โ$1,500 |
Reverse curve | Areas with low rainfall; homeowners who want to reduce cleaning | $205 to $936 | $5,000โ$10,000 |
Foam | Temporary gutter protection | $270 | NA |
Brush | Homeowners who want a quick and easy solution | $795 | NA |
How Do Gutter Guard Materials Compare?
The following table compares gutter guard materials based on their best and worst use cases. It also outlines which gutter guard types use these materials to help you narrow down your options.
Gutter Guard Material | Gutter Guard Type | Good For | Not Good For |
---|---|---|---|
Plastic | Screen and reverse curve | Quick and inexpensive installations | Long-term use, areas with high wind |
PVC | Reverse-curve and screen | Areas with heavy deciduous tree leaves or other large debris | Areas with high heat, small debris, or consistent impacts from falling objects (such as tree limbs) |
Aluminum | All guard types | Areas with heavy rainfall or more corrosive climates (such as coastlines) | Areas with high winds |
Stainless | Mesh, micro-mesh, screen | Areas with pine needles, seedpods, and other small debris, or areas with high winds | Areas with corrosive climates (such as coastlines) |
Commonly Asked Questions About Gutter Guards
We answer common questions about gutter guards to help you navigate the quote process, gutter maintenance and cleaning, warranty terms, and more.
How Much Do Gutter Guards Cost?
Many factors impact the cost of professional gutter guard installation, and an at-home inspection is typically required for an estimate. Based on our survey data for LeafFilter, LeafGuard, Gutter Guards America, and HomeCraft, the average price of professional gutter guard installation is $5,595 for 200 linear feet, or nearly $28 per linear foot. Prices can range up to $8,000 or more.
For DIY products, expect to pay between $300 and $600 or more for 200 linear feet. The total cost to install Raptor on a 200-linear-foot gutter system is approximately $550, based on current Amazon pricing.
Can You Negotiate the Price of Gutter Guards?
Yes, you can negotiate the price of gutter guards to receive a fair price from a gutter guard installer. Some installers present initially inflated prices and will only drop them if you negotiate. This practice is common in many home improvement industries.
Do Gutters Require Maintenance and Cleaning With Gutter Guards?
Yes, gutter guards require maintenance and cleaning even with gutter guards. No gutter guard completely removes the need for regular gutter maintenance and cleaning. Gutter guards make cleaning and maintenance easier by keeping out debris and preventing clogged gutter systems.
How Long Do Gutter Guards Typically Last, and Is There a Warranty?
A gutter guard will last between five to 20 years, depending on your location, the guardโs material type, and the level of maintenance and care. Lower-end materials such as plastic and PVC last between five and 10 years. With adequate care, metal guards can last 15 years or more in ideal weather conditions.
Most gutter installation companies offer some kind of warranty. These warranties can range from general no-clog guarantees to full material and installation coverage. DIY gutter guards typically come with a standard manufacturer warranty.
Will Gutter Guards Help Prevent Fascia Board Damage and Reduce Soffit Repair Costs?
Yes, gutter guards help prevent fascia board damage and reduce soffit repair costs. Fascia and soffits can decay due to water damage from overflowing gutters. Gutter guards prevent clogs and keep gutters functioning at peak performance. Because gutter guards protect your gutters against clogs and overflows, they reduce water exposure to your fascia boards and soffits.
What Are the Downsides to Gutter Guards?
The biggest downside to gutter guards is that they may contribute to the formation of ice dams. The main cause of ice dams is poor attic ventilation, but gutter guards can contribute to ice and snow buildup. If you live in an area with heavy snowfall or cold winters, we recommend installing products such as heat tape to counteract ice dams. Consistently inspecting your attic and ensuring it’s properly ventilated will reduce ice dam buildup.
Are Gutter Guards Worth It?
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), installing gutter guards can extend the lifespan of your gutter drainage system by 2 or 3 times. Gutter guards can be worth it for homeowners who live on lots with numerous trees. You want to get the most for your dollar when shopping for gutter covers. DIY gutter guards are typically priced the lowest, but theyโre often made with lower-quality materials and require more frequent repairs or replacements. Youโll need to buy more than a single pack of DIY guards, so the final price tag will be much higher than whatโs shown on the store page.
Professionally installed guards will always be more expensive but come with a range of benefits that balance the higher up-front cost. Professional companies provide higher-quality gutter guards, skilled installation crews, long-lasting warranties, and additional services such as downspout installation.
Which Gutter Guard System Should You Choose?
The best gutter guard for blocking debris while still allowing water to flow freely into your gutters is a micro-mesh design made of durable stainless steel. This design can handle heavy rain and prevent possible water damage to your homeโs foundation and exterior. Though installation can be pricey, we believe the right gutter guards are worth the investment, especially if you plan to remain in your home for a while and live in an area of heavy debris accumulation.
We recommend LeafFilter and LeafGuard as our top picks for professionally installed gutter guards and Raptor as our top DIY product. Like with any home service, we recommend getting quotes from at least three gutter guard companies to find the right option for your home and budget.
Additional FAQ About Gutter Guards
Do gutter guards really work?
Yes, gutter guards work if they are installed and maintained properly. Gutter guards work by blocking debris from entering your gutters to reduce how often you need to clean them. However, many homeowners have misconceptions regarding the functionality of gutter guards. Some companies advertise that gutter guards remove the need to clean your gutters entirely, which isnโt the case.
Are gutter covers the same thing as gutter guards?
Yes, gutter covers are the same thing as gutter guards. A gutter cover, also known as a gutter guard, is installed on top of your gutter to block debris and filter water. Gutter covers may be used to refer specifically to a reverse-curve gutter guard.
What is the best gutter guard for leaves?
Micro-mesh and reverse curve guards are the best gutter guards for leaves. These guards filter out large and small debris to keep your gutters clear of leaves, twigs, and branches.
Our Rating Methodology
The This Old House Reviews Team backs 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 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.