Gutter guards cost between $3,136 and $3,361 on average for 200 linear feet, according to our 2025 survey of nearly 1,500 respondents who purchased a professionally installed gutter guard system. These systems, while pricey, can help save you money over time by protecting your gutter system from clogs and water damage. In addition, gutter guards can reduce how often you need to clean your gutters.
When shopping for new gutter guards, you can choose between professional and DIY gutter guard installation. In addition to surveying homeowners, we researched DIY gutter guard pricing on Amazon and found that DIY installation costs range from $170 to $700 or more.
In the following guide, we’ll provide a deeper analysis of the cost of gutter guard installation by type and share additional cost factors along with our recommendations for the gutter guards that perform the best.
- Ignoring clogged or defective gutters on your home can be an expensive mistake. Water damage caused by overflowing gutters can cost an average of $8,000 in repairs to your home’s foundation and fascia. Protect yourself from these preventable expenses by investing in your gutter system now.
How Much Does It Cost To Install Gutter Guards?
The amount you pay for gutter guard installation will vary depending on the type of gutter guard you choose. Companies typically price gutter guard materials by linear feet, and the average home has about 200 linear feet of gutters. Additionally, guard materials affect the total cost of installation due to their strength, durability, and ease of installation.
Professional gutter guard providers, such as LeafFilter, typically price installations based on the total linear feet of your gutter system. The average cost per linear foot for a professional gutter guard system is $16, according to nearly 1,500 survey respondents who purchased from five top-recommended gutter guard providers. The table below highlights how much these providers charge for their gutter guards based on reports from homeowners who took our survey:
| Brand | Material cost (per linear foot) | Material cost (200 linear feet) |
|---|---|---|
| Leafguard | $16.80 | $3,361 |
| LeafFilter | $16.31 | $3,262 |
| All-American Gutter Protection | $15.77 | $3,154 |
| Gutter Guards America | $16.25 | $3,164 |
| Homecraft | $15.68 | $3,136 |
Cost figures are from our analysis of our 2025 professional gutter guard survey of 1,484 homeowners. Note: Your pricing may vary depending on your location and the amount of linear feet you buy.
You’ll generally pay less for DIY gutter guards because you only pay for the guards themselves. However, you have to install the DIY guards yourself or hire a professional installer. We also surveyed 1,000 homeowners who have had gutter guards of various types installed in 2025. Here’s how much DIY gutter guards cost to install by type:
| Material | Material cost (per linear foot) | Material cost (200 linear feet) |
|---|---|---|
| Foam insert | $6.31 | $1,262 |
| Screen | $7.50 | $1,501 |
| Micro-mesh | $7.53 | $1,506 |
| Brush | $7.66 | $1,532 |
| Reverse-curve | $7.78 | $1,556 |
Cost figures are from our analysis of our 2025 gutter guard survey of 1,000 homeowners.
If your house is two stories or higher or you have a steep roof, we highly recommend hiring a professional gutter installation company to complete the project.
- These are average gutter guard installation costs. Material prices and installation costs may vary by location. Request a few quotes from gutter companies in your area to compare pricing.
Keep in mind that some gutter guard brands and types may exceed this average. For example, high-end, professionally installed products such as reverse-curve designs or durable metal micro-mesh screens can cost $3,000 or more for larger homes. To determine the specific cost, you need a personalized quote for your home. If your current gutters are in disrepair, installers will typically suggest installing new gutters. If you want to combine the two projects, the installers will add the cost of gutter installation to the total cost of your gutter guards.
Why Is Gutter Guard Installation So Expensive?
Several factors contribute to the price of gutter guard installation, including professional labor costs and features of your home, such as the width of your gutters and your current climate. Below are the most important factors that impact the amount you pay per linear foot of gutter guard.
Gutter Length and Size
The more gutter guard materials you need to outfit your home, the more expensive the job will be. You’ll pay more for additional linear feet of raw materials and labor costs for the additional time it takes to install them.
Another factor to consider is the gutter’s size. Typical sizes are 5-inch, 6-inch, and 7-inch widths. We recommend measuring your gutters before purchasing guards since some guards are only compatible with certain sizes. Most gutters are 5 inches wide, but some houses may have 6- or 7-inch gutters. It will cost extra to fit gutter guards to unusually sized gutters.
Roof Configuration and Type
Gutter guard installation costs more if your gutter runs are complicated, with elbow corners or long roof lines that take contractors longer to complete. Homes with simple, straight, and short gutter runs will generally be cheaper to install guards. The angle of your roof also affects your total project cost. If it’s too steeply pitched, the installers will require extra safety equipment, inflating total labor time and cost.
Accessibility
Trees and any other obstructions to the work area increase the cost of labor since these obstacles take installers time to work around. Obstructions can be on the ground, too. Complex landscaping, water features, or uneven ground can limit safe ladder positioning. If your installer has to obtain specialized tools or equipment to complete the job, that will be reflected in your gutter guard installation cost.
Home Height
Multi-story homes are more difficult and dangerous to work on. Installers may need to use industrial lifting equipment to access higher roof lines, which adds to your total cost. Expect to pay more for gutter guard installations for homes with two or more stories.
Location and Climate
Gutter guard installation costs vary depending on where you live. The local climate and common debris types impact which gutter guard type you should choose and, therefore, the installation cost. For example, flimsy plastic mesh guards probably aren’t the best option for areas with snow and ice, and brush guards won’t stop fine debris like shingle grit and pollen. Additionally, your area’s typical labor cost will inform your final price.
What Are the Different Types of Gutter Guards?
Most gutter guards consist of plastic, metal, or a combination of the two. They either sit on top of the gutter or rest inside it. “Gutter guards have a few forms, but the most popular are steel cover guards and screen [or] mesh guards,” says Kyle Shirley, owner of Sol Vista Roofing. Below is a quick overview of the most common gutter guard types.
Plastic Screen
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and plastic guards are typically the cheapest and least durable materials. Typically, you’ll purchase the material in rolls that are the approximate width of your gutter and cut them before installation. This makes for a fairly easy DIY project: Simply lay the screen on top of the gutter and tuck the edges under the eave.
These screen gutter guards withstand leaves and pine needles reasonably well, but they can be easily blown away or knocked out of place. Additionally, the plastic can become brittle or warp under extreme temperatures. On average, plastic guards only last three to six years.
Foam
While screens and mesh guards sit on top of a gutter to prevent debris from falling in, foam gutter guards sit inside the gutter, making them one of the easiest gutter guard types to install. These polyurethane foam wedges are porous enough to allow water to flow through the gutter and down the spout, but leaves and other debris stay on top of the foam and slide off.
Unfortunately, foam inserts require regular cleaning because debris will naturally pile up on top of them. Additionally, algae and fungus can grow on the foam due to water and debris buildup, making it unsightly and smelly. While these foam inserts can last up to 10 years, they won’t last nearly as long in wet or sunny climates.
Brush
Similar to foam gutter guards, brushes sit inside the gutters and block the flow of debris. These are metal rods with nylon or plastic bristles attached at all angles, just like a circular brush. They install very easily, though you’ll have to cut them with a hacksaw if they’re too long. They’re durable, lasting 10 to 20 years, but they’re also fairly expensive.
While brush guards protect against large debris and dry leaves, smaller debris, such as seeds and pine needles, can stick to the bristles, making them difficult to clean. You may have to clean the brushes as often as you would the gutters.
Perforated Aluminum
Another affordable gutter guard material is aluminum sheeting perforated with small holes. This guard is relatively easy to install and fastens onto your gutters either with included fasteners or by bending the edges to fit around the gutter. You’ll need a hacksaw, tin snips, and gloves to maneuver the guard safely around the sharp edges of your gutter.
Aluminum gutter guards block most debris and don’t rust. They typically last for 10 to 20 years. However, when seeds or other small debris get inside your gutters, you’ll find these guards are difficult to remove for cleaning. Note that aluminum guards can be prone to denting, so you may want a more robust guard if you live in areas that experience hail.
Steel Mesh
Steel mesh gutter guards are similar to plastic guards, but they’re more durable and robust. They’re just as easy to install as plastic guards, though you’ll need to use tin snips to fit the gutter guard in your gutter. Steel mesh gutter guards are great for blocking leaves and pine needles and are relatively easy to clean—simply wait until the collected debris is dry and brush it away. On average, steel guards last between 10 and 20 years.
However, not all steel mesh guards are created equal. Make sure you purchase a powder-coated metal guard, as this will repel rust. Avoid the type of steel guard that fastens by tucking under the first layer of shingles, which will expose your roof deck to rain and could void your roof’s warranty.
Micro-Mesh
Micro-mesh gutter guards are available in plastic, steel, or aluminum. Because of their fine mesh, they’re more expensive than other mesh guards. Micro-mesh guards have smaller holes, which prevent debris from entering your gutters, but tiny debris such as shingle grit can more easily block the smaller holes. Because of this, micro-mesh guards are a good option for houses in wet climates surrounded by large, leafy trees.
The price and durability of these guards vary by material. Plastic is the least expensive, but it may only last three years. Powder-coated metal can last up to 20 years, but it’s pricier than plastic micro-mesh guards.
Reverse-Curve
Unlike other types of gutter covers, solid-surface reverse-curve gutter guards cover the entirety of the gutter and feature a metal lip that points down towards the outer edge of the gutter. Water runs down the helmet and onto the lip, thanks to surface tension, while leaves and other debris slide off the cover. You can use a broom or bristle brush to remove any debris that doesn’t slide off the cover.
Reverse-curve guards are highly durable and can last up to 20 years. However, installers fasten one end of the guard to the roof’s fascia, which is why we recommend professional installation by a gutter guard company if you buy these guard types. Add installation costs to material costs, and reverse-curve designs are one of the most expensive options on our list.
Note: You may need to purchase surface tension gutter helmets directly from a company that makes and installs them.
Compare the Top Gutter Guard Brands
Learn more about the best professional gutter guard brands in the table below.
| Company | Star Rating | Price | Type | BBB Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$16.80 per linear foot | Micromesh with uPVC frame | A+ | ||
$16.31 per linear foot | Integrated with gutters, micromesh | A+ | ||
$16.25 per linear foot | Micromesh | A+ | ||
$15.68 per linear foot | Micromesh | A+ | ||
$15.77 per linear foot | Micromesh | A |
Cost figures are from our 2025 gutter guard survey of 1,484 homeowners who bought gutter guard protection systems. BBB ratings are accurate as of January 2025.
Are Gutter Guards Worth It?
While gutter guards can be a pricey investment, their benefits outweigh the initial cost of installation in the long run. Clogged gutters can cause a number of problems, such as water overflow and moisture buildup in your home’s foundation. According to the United States Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, moisture in your home’s foundation can lead to mold and rot, making the initial gutter problem a bigger—and more expensive—issue.
Gutter guards can reduce clogs in your gutter system by keeping large and small debris from falling inside your gutters. This allows water to flow freely through your gutters when it rains. In addition, gutter guards can reduce the amount of cleaning you need to do on your gutters since many have a sloped design that allows debris to fall off on its own.
Through our research, we recommend LeafFilter as the best gutter guard company due to its high-quality design and professional installation. When we tested LeafFilter’s micro-mesh guard, we found it captured the most debris without water overflow compared to standard foam and brush guards. Additionally, LeafFilter provides a robust lifetime warranty for its guards, meaning your investment is protected. We recommend requesting quotes from LeafFilter and at least two other brands to compare their pricing, product, and warranty options.
FAQs About Gutter Guard Installation
How long do gutter guards last?
Gutter guard lifespans vary depending on their material and how well you care for them. With regular cleaning and maintenance, a stainless steel or aluminum gutter guard can last between 10 and 20 years. Gutter guards made from lower-quality materials such as plastic typically last between three and five years.
Are gutter guards worth the money?
Gutter guards are worth the money if you want to reduce how often you need to clean your gutters and simplify the cleaning process. You only need to clean your gutters once every year or so with a good gutter guard system. Plus, you can brush off leaves and twigs from the top of the guard instead of scooping out gunk and debris from inside your gutters.
Can gutter guards handle heavy rain?
High-quality gutter guards can handle heavy rain. Reverse-curve, screen, and micro-mesh gutter guards can filter large amounts of water. Brush and foam guards are known to clog more easily and have difficulty managing heavy water flow. Learn more about the best gutter guards for heavy rain.
Which gutter guard is the best?
We find LeafFilter and Leafguard to be the best professionally installed gutter guards on the market because of their robust build quality and lifetime warranties. We recommend Raptor Gutter Guard for DIY projects due to its micro-mesh design, which is the best guard design for preventing debris clogging and water buildup.
Is there a downside to gutter guards?
The main downside to gutter guards is their price. According to our survey of 1,484 homeowners who bought professional gutter guards for their homes, they paid an average of $3,232 for their gutter guard system. That said, the investment can help you save even more by preventing expensive foundation, roofing, and water overflow issues.
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 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.
