It’s easy to forget about your gutters until they get clogged with leaves, pests, and other debris. In fact, you might not think about them until the clog is causing serious issues, whether it’s cracks in the foundation or leaks in the basement.
Gutter guards are part of a healthy, well-run home. However, there are many gutter and gutter guard companies out there, and it can be hard to choose the best one for you.
The This Old House Reviews Team has evaluated a variety of gutter companies on key metrics like services offered, cost, installation, and more to help you find the best fit for your needs. Read our comprehensive MasterShield review to find out if this is the best gutter company for your home.
Our Take on MasterShield
We rated MasterShield an 8.6 out of 10 and consider it one of the best gutter companies of 2020. The company’s technology was patented by the inventor of the micromesh gutter guard in 2001, which is becoming the industry standard. MasterShield offers the option for heated gutters, which can be key for customers who live in colder climates. The company’s HydroVortex technology keeps gutters strong, and the majority of the company’s aluminum is recycled.
While MasterShield is worth considering for your gutter needs, we recommend evaluating multiple companies to make sure you get the right services for the best price. LeafFilter might be the better option for you because of its lifetime, transferable warranty. To compare costs, start the quote process with LeafFilter by completing this form.
Pros & Cons of MasterShield
✔ Can be installed at same pitch as roof
✔ Eco-friendly: products are 95% recycled content in the aluminum
✔ Gutter system can be heated
✘ No DIY installation
✘ Full list of colors not available on the website
✘ No centralized list of locations
Services & Features
MasterShield installs its proprietary gutter guards and also sells and installs new gutters if you need to replace yours. Its gutter guards come in 14 colors, including gray, brown, black, and white.
Gutter Guard Features
MasterSheild’s gutter guards have an aluminum frame that can conform to the imperfections near gutters. The guards have self-cleaning features to remove roof oils, a built-in solution to dripping, built in i-beams for added strength, and a shingle-safe back.
- Pitch: MasterShield gutter guards can be installed at the same pitch as the roof for convenience.
- HydroVortex technology: This allows water to be filtered vertically, keeping water pulled into your gutters even if they are placed straight up and down.
- Eco-friendly: The USA-manufactured products have 95% recycled content in the aluminum and more than 30% recycled content in the stainless steel.
- Heated: You can opt for a gutter system that can be heated to avoid issues with ice dams and icicles.
Installation
To get started, customers schedule a free in-home inspection. A MasterShield specialist will come to your home and evaluate the state of your gutters to determine what needs to happen next.
When it’s time for installation, MasterShield gutter guards are installed with a special design that allows for vertical flexibility and horizontal rigidity. This means that it can be adapted to different roofing conditions and minimized shingle shift.
MasterShield Cost
Like its competitors, MasterShield does not list prices on its website, because the scope of the project differs from customer to customer. However, the site does note that the average cost of gutter guards ranges from $1.20 to $10 per foot. Factors that contribute to the overall cost include whether the gutters are damaged and need to be replaced, whether you want a heated gutter or other add-on features, and more,
When a MasterShield specialist conducts the free in-home inspection, they can give you a custom estimate.
State Availability
MasterShield serves several states across the U.S. but does not have a centralized list of locations on its website. To determine if MasterShield is available in your area, we recommend contacting the company.
MasterShield Reviews
MasterShield has multiple profiles with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)*, each devoted to a different branch location. None of the pages feature customer reviews, which is also the case across other third-party review sites. On the BBB, some of MasterShield’s pages are rated while others are not, ranging from A+ to F and not rated.
Debbie L. via BBB said:
“I had new gutters, downspouts and MasterShield Gutter Protection installed on my home on May 7 of this year. We had several storms come through yesterday and MasterShield performed beautifully! I’m very pleased.”
Michael H. via BBB said:
“Several weeks behind on starting, insisting on doing more work now than originally agreed.”
*Better Business Bureau information accurate as of September 2022
Our Conclusion
We believe that MasterShield is a great choice, with cutting-edge technology developed by the individual who invented the micromesh gutter guard. The company cares about convenience, with guards that can be installed at the same pitch as the roof and a heating option. MasterShield also cares about the environment, using many recycled materials.
If MasterShield does not offer services in your area, or you would feel more comfortable with a company that has a lifetime warranty, LeafFilter might be the ideal company for you.
Get your quote from LeafFiter today.
Company Information
- Company name: MasterShield
- Company type: Private
- CEO: Tom Kahn
- Year founded: 2004
- Headquarters: 83 2nd Avenue, Paterson, NJ 07514
- State availability: Unclear
- BBB rating: Varies by location
Frequently Asked Questions
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 specifications, services, reputation, warranties and discounts, payment options, and customer service to arrive at a final score out of 100.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.