Twice or thrice a year, you need to climb a ladder to clean your gutters, scoop debris, and check your gutters for any signs of holes and dents. If you’re sick and tired of doing all these, gutter guards might be the answer to your dilemma.
Gutter guard systems are placed over the top of your gutters to filter twigs and leaves so that only water passes through the gutters. They are advertised to serve as low-maintenance addition to your gutters that can make your life easier—but are they really worth it?
Types of Gutter Guards
A gutter guard system is created to collect leaves and twigs and prevent clogging in and around the gutters and downspouts. By filtering out debris, gutter guards allow rainwater to flow freely and avoid spilling over the sidings and foundation.
Not all gutter guards are alike. Gutter protection comes in various materials, styles, and types, which is why they differ in features. Here’s a breakdown of your options and brief description of each type:
Mesh Gutter Guards
Made of plastic or stainless steel, mesh gutter guards have small holes that draw water while blocking debris. This kind of gutter protection is similar to screen guards, letting only tiny particles enter the gutters. These are very easy to install and can last a lifetime with proper maintenance care.
Reverse Curve Gutter Guards
Also known as surface tension gutter guards, this type is made from lightweight metal and designed to blend in with the roofline. Water flows around a downward curve, then all the debris slides right off the edge and to the ground.
Bottle Brush Gutter Guards
The brush-style gutter covers have heavy-duty spikes and bristles designed to prevent leaves and twigs from accumulating. These are very cheap and low maintenance since you only need to clean the brushes at least once a year. However, one disadvantage is that debris gets caught in the bristles, making them more susceptible to clogging.
Perforated/Slit System
Typically made of aluminum or PVC sheets, perforated metal gutter guards are placed on top of your gutters. It has a diamond or square-shaped perforations that allow water to pass through while the leaves are filtered and sometimes blown away by the wind. You will need to clean your perforated gutter covers since it only filters leaves and big debris and not pods, buds, flower petals, seeds, or needles.
Foam Gutter Guards
Consist of polyether or polyurethane foam pieces, this type is very affordable and can fit inside your gutters to block leaves and other unwanted junk. While foam gutter guards are cheap, they only last up to two years and can become a fire hazard.
Cost of Gutter Guards
As posted on HomeAdvisor, the national average for installing gutter guards cost $1,264 or between $608 and $2,077. The low cost for inexpensive gutters is around $200, while the high-end, professional installation runs around $3,500. The price of the gutter guard material ranges from $1.20 per foot to $10 per foot.
If you purchase your own gutter guards, you can hire a gutter contractor or handyman, which can cost you from $2 to $4 per linear foot. A full-service gutter installation company will charge you anywhere from $8 to $12 per linear foot, depending on the materials, accessibility, home height, and other factors.
Do Gutter Guards Really Work?
Now that you know the various types of gutter guards and the installation cost, it’s not time to decide if you need them for your home. While there are benefits of gutter guards, it is safe to say that there is no such thing as perfect gutter protection.
Even the most expensive and top-rated gutter guards have holes in them, which create an opening for small debris to pass through. This means your gutters can still get clogged and cause damage to your home.
Investing in gutter guards can be beneficial, but it is not always the right move. Instead of going with gutter guards, you can opt for gutter cleaning services that will be worth it in the long run.
Find the Best Gutter Experts Near You
We hope you find this article informative and helpful in learning more about gutter guards. The best way to keep your gutters free of debris is to have them cleaned and maintained regularly. Call Pittsburgh Gutter Cleaning today for a full range of gutter services. We can do the work flawlessly, no matter how challenging it might be!