Raptor Gutter Guard Review (2024 Guide)
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Many gutter guards require professional installation, but some high-quality do-it-yourself (DIY) alternatives are available. Raptor Gutter Guard is Gutterglove’s DIY alternative to its professional installation services. It offers the same kind of filtration system as many of the best professionally installed gutter guards for a smaller cost. However, it is important to understand that you are only paying for the product and not the installation.
For this Raptor Gutter Guard review, we purchased and tested the gutter guard using a floor model and researched Raptor’s production company, customer reviews, product specifications, and prices. We then used our strict rating and review criteria to determine the effectiveness of Raptor Gutter Guards. This article discusses our findings, detailing what we like about the company, where it falls short, costs, and everything else you need to know about Raptor Gutter Guards.
How We Rated Raptor
We rated Raptor against our objective review standards in key categories that homeowners consider when purchasing gutter guards. Raptor earned 4.6 out of 5 stars. Here’s how we broke it down in each category:
- Design: Raptor’s stainless steel micro-mesh screen blocked all debris during testing but was difficult to install, earning it a nearly perfect score in this category.
- Customer support: Raptor features helpful instructional materials on its website but has a shorter-than-average warranty, earning it almost full points in this category.
- Customer reviews: Raptor has above-average reviews on its Amazon page.
- Cost: As a micro-mesh gutter guard, Raptor is on the more expensive end of the DIY cost range, earning it lower points in this category.
What Do We Think of Raptor Gutter Guards?
We consider Raptor the best DIY option of the products we ranked. Its gutter guard benefits from a straightforward installation process and standardized sizing options that will work for most older and modern homes. Its stainless steel micro-mesh filtration system effectively keeps out large and small debris. We also found it has some of the best instruction materials from any DIY gutter guard brand.
Pros and Cons of Raptor Gutter Guards
How Much Does Raptor Cost?
The Raptor Gutter Guard is available for purchase through Amazon. Currently, you can purchase 48 feet of rain gutter and downspout protection for roughly $130. Most homes require between 100 and 200 linear feet of gutter guards, so your final price will likely be in the range range $300–$600. This range is slightly higher than many other DIY brands and is less than the cost of professionally installed gutter guards.
What Do You Need to Know about Raptor?
How Do Raptor Gutter Guards Work?
Raptor micro-mesh gutter covers fit over your existing gutters. They draw in liquid through small holes that resist the accumulation of roof grit and other clog-causing material. Unlike more basic gutter guards, micro-mesh applications aren’t limited to filtering out large debris; they can also handle small particles, even during high water flow.
What Does Raptor’s Warranty Cover?
Raptor gutter guards don’t have a lifetime warranty like those offered by professional installers because it’s a DIY brand. However, Raptor has a limited part and manufacturer’s warranty. Here is a quick overview:
- Offers a 25-year warranty for most customers, but reduced to five years for any homeowners who live within 5 miles of a coast
- Excludes damage due to improper installation, deterioration of building structure, and many catastrophic events
- Covers the gutter guard only and not the existing gutter structure
How Do You Install Raptor Gutter Guards?
As with all DIY gutter guards, you’ll need the appropriate tools and be comfortable working on ladders. Some customer responses throughout our research state that you may need to cut the guards to fit onto your gutter system, requiring a pair of tin snips.
According to Raptor’s website and additional instructional materials, some installations may require sliding the gutter guard beneath the shingles. Others might require bending the product, using fasteners, or screwing the guards to the fascia board.
Raptor Gutter Guard has a convenient online app that helps you approximate your gutter measurements, providing the information you need to buy the correct length of mesh.
What Do Customers Say About Raptor?
Customers on Amazon have left nearly 5,000 reviews about their experiences with Raptor Gutter Guard. Glowing reviews praised the product’s reasonable cost and effective micro-mesh filtration. Critical reviews mentioned that installation was more difficult than advertised. Others said ice dams formed in extreme cold and caused water to spill over upon melting.
“After a lot of research we chose this product. We have a hundred plus trees which means a lot of leaves. We read the reviews and were a bit skeptical because it was less expensive than the box stores and the quality wasn’t great in the box stores. We ordered and were blown away by the quality of the product. We installed ourselves and would highly recommend. We installed about 450 feet. No more gutter cleaning for us!” — Jane K., December 28, 2022, Amazon
“We looked at a number of different products to prevent pine straw from accumulating in our gutters especially with downspouts that moved into the ground around our house. This product was easy to install and performed exactly as advertised. We had a quote for thousands of dollars to install a different product. This was the absolute right choice. If it lasts several years, it is well worth the money.” — MW, December 26, 2022, Amazon
“Yes, these gutter guards will keep debris out, but it can not handle heavy rain, the water will go over like a waterfall which is not good at all and if you live in the north, you will have ice dams going all across the sides when it snows which is not good either. I might have to remove them, what a waste of time and money!” — A.C., December 12, 2022, Amazon
How Easy Is It To Clean Raptor Gutter Guards?
Some gutter guard brands claim you’ll never need to clean your gutters again, but this isn’t true. No gutter guard completely removes the need for regular maintenance and cleaning. Gutter guard brands like Raptor reduce the number of times you need to clean your gutters and make cleaning easier.
Micro-mesh screens do a great job of keeping most debris out of your gutter system. Pine needles, leaves, seed pods, and branches won’t be able to make their way inside. Raptor’s design allows most of this debris to roll right off and onto the ground. Customer reviews mention that Raptor guards still need the occasional brushing to remove what debris does settle on top of the mesh. Therefore, the process is still much easier than scooping out piles of gunk from unguarded gutters.
Here is one customer’s review of cleaning a Raptor gutter guard:
“… So far, the pine needles have not been an issue (thought they might stick into the mesh, but no!) They provide a link at the web site for a good brush that can be used to brush off the mesh. You pay shipping and they try and get you to buy an extending handle for the brush which I passed on. An old screw end wood handle will work just fine. Our home is a ranch so I have been able to keep the covers clean from the ground…” —Daniel Goewey, September 13, 2023, Amazon.
Should You Choose Raptor Gutter Guards?
Several types of gutter guards are available, and micro-mesh variations are among the most effective. The Raptor gutter guard design may not be as easy to install as a foam or brush gutter guard, but it’s still DIY-friendly. Unlike some competitors’ polyvinyl chloride (PVC) designs, Raptor’s aluminum frame is corrosion-resistant and can withstand the weight of normal debris.
We favor Raptor Gutter Guard as the best DIY option on the market today, but we recommend comparing several products and professional gutter installation services before you make a decision including LeafFilter and LeafGuard. The process of DIY installation can be difficult and dangerous.
FAQ
How much does a Raptor Gutter Guard Cost?
Raptor gutter guards are currently $125 for a 48-foot pack on Amazon. Most gutters require 100–200 linear feet of gutter guards, so you’ll be spending between $250 and $500 to install them on your entire gutter system.
Is Raptor Gutter Guard the same as Gutterglove?
No, Gutterglove is the company that produces Raptor gutter guards. Gutterglove has a professional installation service, which is separate from Raptor and doesn’t use the same gutter guards. Raptor is Gutterglove’s DIY alternative.
Is Raptor Gutter Guard worth the cost?
Yes, Raptor gutter guards are a functional, easy-to-install, relatively inexpensive gutter protection system. The gutter guards can’t completely remove the need to clean your gutters, but they’ll make it so you won’t need to clean as often. Cleaning Raptor guards is much easier than cleaning unprotected gutters. Raptor may be worthwhile if you want less frequent, easier gutter cleaning. However, we recommend comparing multiple gutter guards and looking into professional installation services before deciding.
Do Raptor gutter guards require maintenance?
Yes, all gutter guards require maintenance and cleaning. Raptor gutter guards must be brushed free of debris every year or two, depending on region and leaf drop intensity.
Are gutter guards easy to install?
Some gutter guards are easy to install, such as many screen, brush, and foam applications. These are DIY-friendly for homeowners who can safely and comfortably climb a ladder. Other types of gutter guards are difficult to install and require professional assistance.
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.