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The 5 Best Gutter Guards for Metal Roofs (2024 Guide)

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Author Icon By Mike Miller Updated 01/13/2024

While asphalt shingles are designed to slow water down and make its impact on your home’s drainage system less intense, metal roofs are sleek and allow water to flow into your gutters quickly. Not all gutter guards are equipped to handle the increased water flow from metal roofs. To help you find the best gutter guards for metal roofs, we’ve researched professional guard installers and DIY gutter guards by reading their warranties, service offerings, and customer reviews. We also installed and tested a dozen gutter guards to evaluate performance. We found that products featuring a micro-mesh screen, such as LeafFilter, perform the best due to their ability to filter heavy rainfall. 

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Top 5 Best Gutter Guards for Metal Roofs

LeafFilter: Best Overall
denotes a DIY-only product
Product Image Star Rating Link
LeafFilter LeafFilter LeafFilter
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LeafGuard LeafGuard LeafGuard
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All American Gutter Protection All American Gutter Protection All American Gutter Protection
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Raptor Raptor Raptor
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Amerimax Amerimax Amerimax
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LeafFilter
Logo LeafFilter
Product Image LeafFilter
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LeafGuard
Logo LeafGuard
Product Image LeafGuard
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All American Gutter Protection
Logo All American Gutter Protection
Product Image All American Gutter Protection
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Raptor
Logo Raptor
Product Image Raptor
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Amerimax
Logo Amerimax
Product Image Amerimax
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Company
Star Rating
BBB Rating
Best For
A+
Best Filtration
A+
Best for Large Debris
A
Best Deals and Discounts
Best Filter for DIY Brands
Best for Easy Installation

What Homeowners Need To Know About Metal Roofs Before Choosing a Gutter Guard

Picking a gutter guard that works on a metal roof is difficult due to its intense water runoff. Here’s a quick rundown of what to know before installing a gutter guard on your metal roof.

Metal roofs are sleek and lack the traction of asphalt shingles. As a result, they funnel water and shed snow much more quickly. Metal roofs will have more intense rainwater runoff than asphalt. You’ll need wider gutters, typically six to seven inches, to handle this deluge. You can also choose gutters designed to handle more intense rainfall, such as box gutters. Most gutter guards are designed for standard 5-inch, K-style gutters, so ensure the gutter guards you choose will fit your gutter system.
Gutter guards for metal roofs can be worth it if you want to reduce how often you clean your gutters and simplify the cleaning process. Uncleaned gutters tend to clog and overflow. This can lead to water damage and expensive problems, including foundation shifting and soil erosion. While cleaning your gutters is an unpleasant task, it can be made easier with gutter guards.
Gutter guards sit atop your gutters and create a flat surface that prevents debris from entering. Quality gutter guards self-clean by pushing most debris to the ground. What little debris remains will still need to be cleaned off, but instead of digging it out of your gutters with a glove or scoop, you can spray it off with a hose or sweep it away with a brush.
Note that gutter guards for metal roofs may be more expensive than gutter guards installed on traditional roofs due to the wider size required. We recommend getting quotes and considering whether the larger up-front investment is worth it.
The best gutter guards for metal roofs are made from high-end materials, such as stainless steel, and have efficient water passability. Micro-mesh and standard mesh guards are typically the most effective in heavy downpours, making LeafFilter, All American, and Raptor good choices. Some brands, such as LeafGuard, make gutter guards designed for heavy rainfall.

LeafFilter

Best Filtration
4.7
BBB Rating : A+

We tested LeafFilter on a floor model of its gutter guard system and found that it handled large amounts of water while filtering out debris. It features a stainless steel micro-mesh screen and uPVC frame that is fine enough to filter out debris as small as shingle grit while allowing water to pass through.

Key Specs

  • Stainless steel guard 
  • uPVC frame
  • Hidden hangers
  • Customizable sizes
  • Rustproof
  • Lifetime warranty

Testing Takeaways for LeafFilter

LeafFilter supplied us with a floor model of its gutter guard system to test the effectiveness of its product. Note that this floor model had asphalt shingles. Your experience may vary with a metal roof due to increased rainwater runoff. 

  • LeafFilter filters water without overflowing, even in heavy rainfall conditions.
  • It blocks large and small debris, including pine needles, deciduous tree leaves, and shingle grit.
  • Debris that doesn’t come off during water application is easy to brush off.
  • It features a durable frame and reinforcing substructure.
  • It resists clogging and reliably self-cleans.

Pros and Cons

Pros LeafFilter’s guard is custom-installed by trained technicians and is compatible with metal roofs. Its fine mesh screen blocks debris while handling heavy downpours. Its screen’s built-in pitch makes it effective at self-cleaning. Cons Its custom system is made from proprietary parts and can’t be repaired yourself. Its guard has a raised back due to its built-in pitch, making it visible from some angles.

How We Scored LeafFilter

We scored LeafFilter 4.8 out of 5 stars. It earned the most points in the gutter guard design and customer review categories.

We researched customer reviews from third-party sites such as Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot. LeafFilter is one of the highest-rated gutter guard installers in the industry. Positive LeafFilter reviews mention the professionalism of its employees, particularly its service technicians and customer service associates.

LeafFilter’s gutter guard is durable and efficient, withstanding stress tests and blocking debris during our testing process. We applied water to the LeafFilter guard multiple times at varying intensities to simulate different levels of rainfall. LeafFilter was able to filter water in all but the heaviest of downpours, which leads us to believe it would function well on metal roofs.

What Customers Are Saying

LeafFilter has an A+ rating and accreditation on Better Business Bureau. It has more than 122,000 Trustpilot reviews, 83% of which are 4 to 5 stars. Customers praise the quality of its gutter guard, its installation crews’ promptness, and its employees’ professionalism.

Critical reviews mention LeafFilter’s high prices and confusing sales pitches. Some customers report that LeafFilter sales representatives will initially quote high prices only to drastically lower them after negotiating.

LeafGuard

Best for Large Debris
4
BBB Rating : A+

We recommend LeafGuard for metal roofs due to its tested ability to handle heavy downpours and its custom installation process. LeafGuard is rated to withstand more than 32 inches of rainfall per hour, just under three times the world record for the most rainfall in 60 minutes.

Key Specs

  • Comprehensive gutter installation
  • Sloped design that uses liquid adhesion to collect water and shed debris
  • Custom-formed to fit each home
  • Lifetime finish warranty
  • Financing options

Pros and Cons

Pros LeafGuard is built to withstand heavy downpours. Its reverse-curve design uses the scientific principles of liquid adhesion to self-clean. It claims its design is more effective the steeper the roof pitch. Cons LeafGuard’s one-piece system can’t be repaired or altered without a LeafFilter technician. Its system is bulky and easily visible from the ground.

How We Scored LeafGuard

We awarded LeafGuard 4 out of 5 stars after analyzing its product, customer reviews, and warranty.  It received the most points in the warranty, guard design, and quote process categories.

LeafGuard’s system uses the scientific principles of liquid adhesion and surface tension to pull water over the guard and into your gutter. As the water is pulled in, debris is pushed off to the ground, preventing debris buildup and protecting your home from water damage. Its one-piece system means the gutters and guards are all one structure. Installers will remove your existing gutter system to install LeafGuard.

Its unique installation process works well for homeowners with metal roofs. Many metal roofs have irregular shapes, designs, and characteristics, and the custom installation ensures that the guard is fitted to your roof. LeafGuard’s reverse-curve system has a gap large enough to accommodate heavy rainfall, so even steep-sloped roofs shouldn’t experience overflows.

What Customers Are Saying

LeafGuard has an A+ rating and mixed customer reviews on its Better Business Bureau page. Positive responses mention the professionalism of the installers and discounts that reduce the final cost. Many customers were satisfied with how well the gutters function.

Negative reviews cite high prices and excessive sales tactics. We also encountered some reviews stating that the installation crews did a poor job cleaning up after finishing the installation.

All American Gutter Protection

Best Deals and Discounts
4.2
Phone : 888-495-7725 BBB Rating : A

We recommend All American Gutter Protection thanks to its strong product and positive customer response scores. All American’s micro-mesh screen and aluminum frame can handle heavy water runoff while blocking debris, making them a good fit for metal roof systems.

Key Specs

  • Stainless steel guard
  • Aluminum frame
  • Customizable sizes
  • More than 30 color options
  • Rustproof
  • Lifetime warranty

Pros and Cons

Pros All American features a durable stainless steel screen and an all-aluminum body. Its gutter guard comes in more than 30 colors. It offers seamless gutter guard installations. Cons Reviews indicate occasional scheduling errors. It doesn’t offer additional services such as gutter cleaning and repair.

How We Scored All American Gutter Protection

We gave American Gutter Protection a score of 4.2 out of 5 stars. It scored the most points in guard design and customer service categories. Its guards feature a stainless steel micro-mesh screen, a reinforcing sub-structure, and an aluminum body designed to handle heavy rainfall and resist corrosion. We spoke to an All American representative to ask about the compatibility of its product with metal roofs. They indicated that the product can be installed on metal roofs as long as the existing gutter system is compatible.

We were impressed with All American’s high customer satisfaction ratings across review sites. All American has among the highest ratings in the gutter guard industry. Our communication with this company mirrors these sentiments, as the representative with whom we spoke was helpful, attentive, and polite. Customers also praised the professionalism of the company’s technicians and sales staff.

What Customers Are Saying

All American has an A+ rating and accreditation on Better Business Bureau. Positive customer reviews mention the professionalism of All American’s employees, the promptness of its installations, and the personal attention they received. Critical comments mention the occasional leak or other technical issue, but these responses typically credit All American for fixing the problem.

Raptor

Best Filter for DIY Brands
4.6

Raptor gutter guards produced by GutterGlove are the highest-quality DIY guards we tested. While most DIY products experienced overflow issues, especially those made from plastic and PVC, Raptor only overflowed when exposed to heavy rainfall conditions. (Note that our testing model has asphalt shingles.) Raptor is compatible with metal roofs and features helpful online materials with installation tips and photos.

Key Specs

  • Stainless steel guards
  • V-bend technology
  • DIY installation
  • 5-inch to 6-inch standard sizes
  • Rustproof
  • 25-year warranty

Pros and Cons

Pros Raptor’s screen manages heavy downpours while filtering out debris. It features online installation materials for non-standard systems such as metal roofs. Its aluminum frame is designed for adjustments and alterations. Cons Its screen extends past the edge of its frame and may require tin snips to make it flush. Its system requires special alterations for metal roofs.

How We Scored Raptor

We awarded Raptor a score of 4.6 out of 5 stars. This score is the highest of the DIY guards we reviewed. We read its customer reviews and multiple additional online guides provided by its company. We also purchased Raptor’s gutter guard, installed it on a gutter model, and conducted a series of tests to determine its performance.

Raptor’s stainless steel micro-mesh screen blocked most debris, including deciduous tree leaves, pine needles, seedpods, shingle grit, and twigs. During our water passage test, it only overflowed in the equivalent of extremely heavy downpours.

We were also impressed by Raptor’s extensive support materials. Its standard instruction manual outlines several installation methods, with sample instructions for basic alterations. Its website hosts dozens of additional guides if you have a non-standard roof or gutter system, such as a metal roof or box gutters.

What Customers Are Saying

Raptor has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon with more than 5,000 reviews. Many customers claim these gutter guards are easy to install thanks to Raptor’s comprehensive instructions. However, some reviews mention that the mesh screen is too tightly woven and causes water to overflow if the guard isn’t installed at the right angle.

Amerimax

Best for Easy Installation
4.2

Amerimax Home Products is one of the most prolific gutter product distributors in the United States. We recommend its lock-in screen guard for metal roofs. This guard’s simple installation and open screen make it a good choice for metal roof systems and heavy runoff.

Key Specs

  • Powder-coated steel screen
  • Easy-to-install lock-in system
  • DIY installation
  • Fits onto 4-, 5-, and 6-inch K-style gutters
  • 10-year warranty

Pros and Cons

Pros Amerimax’s lock-in guard has an easy installation process that requires few tools. It withstands massive amounts of water without overflowing. It blocks most medium and large debris. Cons It doesn’t block small debris. It uses powder-coated steel, which isn’t as durable as high-end materials.

How We Scored Amerimax

We gave Amerimax Home Products a score of 4.2 out of 5 stars. We read customer reviews on its Amazon page and evaluated the design and materials of its gutter guards.

We also purchased and installed four Amerimax products on a model of a gutter and asphalt roof system. We put the guards through tests designed to assess overall performance, including durability and how well they filter debris and water. Based on these results, we believe its lock-in guard is the best fit for metal roofs due to how well it handled heavy rainfall.

What Customers Are Saying

Amerimax’s lock-in guard has 4.6 out of 5 stars with more than 1,500 ratings on Amazon. Positive reviews highlight the ease of installation and sturdiness of the guards. Customers also commented on the quality and value of the product. Some negative reviews mention that water rushed over the guard instead of going through the screen and that the holes allowed small debris to enter the gutters.


How Much Do Gutter Guards for Metal Roofs Cost?

Metal roofs come with unique challenges for gutter and gutter guard installation. Due to their steep slope, increased water flow, and complex structure, you’ll need gutter guards designed to accommodate metal roofs. This typically means custom and more costly installations.

Estimating the price of gutter guard installation is difficult, especially for systems that require non-standard work. Professional gutter guard providers require you to schedule an at-home inspection to receive pricing, even for standard roof and gutter systems. As metal roofs are more unique, prices vary widely from project to project.

Based on national averages, you can expect to pay between $900 to $1,550 for a standard micro-mesh gutter guard installation and $1,150 to $4,300 for a reverse-curve gutter guard installation. Customers for major brands such as LeafFilter report higher prices.

The price to install DIY guards is lower than a professional installation because you’re bypassing labor costs and fees. Here’s a quick pricing rundown for the DIY brands featured above, including the cost to cover a 200-foot gutter system.

Gutter Guard BrandCost per UnitCost per Linear FootCost per 200 Feet

Raptor (5-inch standard pack)

$124.99 (48 feet)

$2.60

$624.95

Raptor (super 6-inch pack)

$149.99 (48 feet)

$3.12

$749.95

Amerimax lock-in guard

$66.25 (75 feet)

$0.88

$198.75


What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing a Gutter Guard for Metal Roofs?

Metal roofs, while longer lasting and more durable than traditional asphalt shingles, come with unique challenges for your gutter and gutter guard systems. Below, we’ll look at important factors to consider when purchasing a gutter guard system for metal roofs. 

Are There Gutter Guards That Shouldn’t Be Used on Metal Roofs? 

Two kinds of gutter guards should be avoided on metal roofs: those that can’t filter water well and those with materials that conflict with your roofing.

Most gutter guards can handle moderate amounts of rainwater, but some designs experience overflows when exposed to the heavy runoff associated with metal roofs. The worst offenders are foam, low-quality reverse-curve, and perforated screen gutter guards. We recommend choosing mesh, micro-mesh, and high-end reverse-curve guards for metal roofs. 

Another unique issue associated with metal roofs is conflicting materials. Some metals have chemical reactions with other materials that can cause faster corrosion. For example, when galvalume (a common metal roof material) is exposed to copper (a high-end rain gutter material) and an electrolyte (such as salt in the air), a corrosive reaction occurs. This reaction will wear down the galvalume metal and lead to a shorter roof lifespan. 

We recommend consulting a roofing contractor before installing gutters or gutter guards to learn more about the materials that may be incompatible with your roof. 

Should I Choose DIY or Professional Installation?

Professional and DIY gutter guards each have benefits. DIY guards are cheaper and easier to replace but take longer to install. Professional installations will be costlier but more convenient. Professional installation comes with other benefits, such as additional gutter service offerings and long-lasting warranties.

We typically recommend hiring a professional gutter guard company to install gutter guards for your metal roof due to the complexities associated with this roof type. While professional gutter guards will cost more than a DIY installation, you can avoid numerous pitfalls, such as conflicting metals or ineffective guard designs. 

How Do Regions and Climate Impact Gutter Guards?

Climate can affect the performance and lifespan of both your roof system and gutter guard. Areas that experience heavier rainfall will require a guard that can handle heavy rainfall—even more so if you have a metal roof. If you live in a colder region, note that micro-mesh systems may experience ice dams. You can counteract this problem with products such as heat tape.


FAQ About the Best Gutter Guards for Metal Roofs

Can you use gutter guards on metal roofs?

Yes, you can use gutter guards on metal roofs. However, some guards perform more poorly than others, especially those that cannot handle large amounts of water.

When is the best time to clean gutter guards on metal roofs?

The best time to clean your gutter guards on metal roofs is at the end of fall and spring. These seasons produce the most debris, and cleaning at the end of spring and fall removes the most debris at once.

What gutters work for metal roofs in heavy rainfall?

Mesh, micro-mesh, high-end-reverse curve, and brush gutter guards work for metal roofs in heavy rainfall. Screen, low-quality reverse-curve, and foam gutter guards are prone to overflowing and should be avoided for metal roofs.


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.