Gutter guards could save you money, but they could also cost you money
Gutter guards cost between $600 and $2,100 to install.
Gutter guards can reduce routine gutter cleaning costs by around $300 yearly.
Some gutter guards can void your roof’s warranty or damage the roof and cost you more overall.
Call in the pros to install gutter guards correctly and prevent improper installation damage.
Relaxing while listening to the sound of rain hitting your roof is a peaceful experience, but it’s not so peaceful if water spills over the edges of your gutters and damages your foundation or garden. This, and unsightly gutters clogged by debris, are enough to make anyone want to call in the gutter cleaning services—but there’s another gutter drainage solution: gutter guards. Installing gutter guards may be worth the cost while also saving you an eyesore and long-term repair costs to your home.
A gutter guard or gutter screen helps protect your gutters from clogs by covering the top of your gutters and preventing leaves, sticks, and other debris from entering. This can help reduce how often you have to clean your gutters, prevent overflowing gutters from damaging your foundation and landscaping, and protect your siding from water damage. Gutter guards are made from all kinds of materials, including metal mesh, vinyl, metal sheets, brushes, and foam.
All gutter guards work by filtering or shielding debris from entering your gutters and causing a blockage. How each one works depends on the type of gutter guard you choose. Here’s a breakdown of different gutter guard types to help you assess whether gutter guards are worth it for your home.
There are five types of gutter guards that you can choose for gutters. Here’s a look at each type to help you decide on the best gutter guards for your home.
Screen guards come in plastic or metal grids to prevent debris from entering your gutter. You install the screens by carefully pushing them under the roof shingles to hold them in place. Keep in mind that this option can void roof warranties if improperly installed, and high wind can pull the wire out of place.
Just how long your screen gutter guards will last depends on the type of material you choose. Most screen guards last somewhere between five to 10 years, with plastic screen guards falling toward the lower end and metal screen guards coming in as the longest-lasting option.
Micro-mesh guards also can slide into shingles, only they come in other options, like clips or flanges, making them sturdier than screen guards. These guards are better for small debris like sand, but they can get clogged more easily as a result and come in on the higher end of the price range.
Though these gutter guards can cost more than other gutter guards, you’ll find the price might well be worth it. Most micro-mesh gutter guards have a life span of 20 years or longer. Again, the life span of your gutter guards depends on the material. For the longest life span, go for a metal micro-mesh gutter guard system.
Ideal for yards with many leafy trees, reverse-curve guards slide under or hook atop the shingles, cover your entire gutter, and have a curve that allows for leaves to slide off the guards. They’re not as DIY-friendly because you have to get the angle right for this guard type to work.
Reverse-curve gutter guards can last between 10 and 25 years on average. How long a reverse-curve gutter guard lasts depends on how well it’s installed. This type of gutter guard can be more difficult to install correctly, and an improperly installed gutter guard can quickly shorten its life span.
Brush guards are giant, metal brushes with thermoplastic bristles. The shape prevents leaves from clogging your drains while allowing for water to slip past. Brush guards are easy to install and flexible, as you just place them into your gutters, but you might need custom brushes for uniquely shaped gutters.
In terms of longevity, brush gutter guards fall a little short compared to metal gutter guards. These gutter guards have a life span in the five- to 10-year range with proper maintenance.
A foam guard is another easy gutter guard that comes in the shape of a triangle. The corner and edge of one side lie against the bottom of your gutter, while the flat upper part goes across the top, preventing debris from infiltrating. Climates with lots of rainfall may not be suitable for foam guards, as they can’t handle intense rain without overflowing or deteriorating.
Foam guards have several pros and cons. Namely, they give you the least bang for your buck—lasting only one to two years on average depending on the foam quality. Some have an even shorter life span. At the same time, foam guards require less cleaning than other gutter guard types and are easy to install and maintain.
There are many pros and cons to gutter guards, so before you invest in gutter guards, consider the following.
Gutter guards may help reduce maintenance.
Most DIY gutter guards are easy to install without a pro.
They’re affordable compared to routine gutter cleaning, which costs around $300 yearly.
Gutter guards prevent overflowing from plugged gutters, protecting your foundation.
They keep stagnant water from encouraging mosquitoes and other pests from breeding inside the gutters.
Gutter guards may help prevent frozen gutters and ice dams from accumulating debris.
They don’t completely eliminate the need for gutter cleaning.
Gutter guards can cause moss and algae to grow and damage your roof.
They have high upfront costs, even if they save you money in the long run.
Gutter guards can nullify a roof warranty if improperly installed.
Some low-quality gutter guards don’t prevent blockages well.
Gutter guards can strain your roof and damage the fascia—the support boards on the edge of your roof.
Not every home needs gutter guards, and not every gutter guard on the market is worth it. But this doesn’t mean your home can’t benefit from having a gutter guard installed. For most, gutter guards have much to offer. Your budget, climate, installation method, willingness to maintain and clean the gutter guard, number of trees, and type of gutter guard can all contribute to whether or not gutter guards are worth it.
For instance, gutter guards need regular cleaning—twice a year for some homes and gutter systems and up to four times a year for other homes. It’s important to understand your home’s needs and the amount of maintenance that goes into keeping your gutter system smooth-flowing when making a decision. In addition, metal gutter guards typically have much longer life spans than plastic or foam, making them more worthwhile.
If you’re unsure if gutter guards are worth it, a local gutter company will look at your home on a case-by-case basis and recommend the best gutter guard for your budget, lifestyle, landscape, and climate.
Gutter guards cost anywhere between $1 and $10 per linear foot, not including installation. Installation costs an extra $9 per linear foot on average. This project usually ends up costing around $1,500 on average, but prices can fall anywhere between $600 and $2,400. Cost factors that can affect the total cost of your project include:
The materials
Gutter length
Type of gutter guard
Whether or not you DIY it
DIYing gutter guards will save you an estimated $9 per linear foot, making it a significant saving. However, you might need to factor in costs for equipment on top of the materials if you don’t already have a ladder and safety gear like glasses and gloves.
While you can install gutter guards yourself, the installation process is a little dangerous; you can fall off the ladder. It’s also a time-consuming project that can quickly become a major pain after spending a good hour or two figuring out how to install the guards atop a wobbly ladder! Not to mention, improperly installing gutter gutters can void your roof’s warranty or lead to costly roof repairs that make it not worth your while.
If you don’t have experience installing gutter guards or working with rooftops and ladders, it may be a good idea to contact a gutter guard installer near you to safely do the job.
It depends. The main purpose of gutter guards is to protect your gutters from getting clogged with debris. But a clogged gutter isn’t the only reason rain isn’t traveling through your gutter properly. Other reasons include roof shingles extending past your gutters, improperly installed gutters, or incorrect gutter sizes.
If you suspect you have any of these other gutter issues, it may be more cost-effective to repair your gutters first and see if that solves the problem before investing in gutter guards.
Yes. Gutter guards aren’t 100% foolproof. While gutter guards can keep debris out, some small pieces like leaves, pebbles, and pests can still accumulate over time. Gutter guards do dramatically reduce the amount of annual cleaning you have to do (sometimes extending your cleaning cycle to every 2 to 5 years or more). Most homeowners find this to be a fair trade-off to decrease the amount of times you have to get on a ladder.
Whether or not you can use a pressure washer to clean your gutter guard depends on the type of gutter guard you have and the strength of the pressure washer. Most gutter guards can handle a low-pressure setting. If you’re unsure if your gutter guard is designed for pressure washing, check your manufacturer’s instructions, ask a pro, or use a garden hose to clean the gutter guard instead.
