Choosing the best gutter guards for your home is crucial on two levels. First, the system’s success can have a direct effect on how well your home is protected from water infiltration and the damage it can cause. Second, installing some types of gutter guards requires a significant investment, which makes choosing the right ones important for cost-effectiveness. Here are the factors to consider when deciding which is best for your home.
Materials
While the material your gutter guards are made of is less crucial than how they perform, materials and performance often overlap. Material is also often the first concern homeowners have when choosing. The type of gutter guard you choose can determine which material is best, while the material it’s made of can determine which style is best.
- Aluminum gutter guards are available in a variety of styles, from fine mesh to screen-types. Durable and non-corroding under most circumstances, aluminum is flexible, easy to cut, and can also be rigid to provide support for other materials.
- Copper gutter guards are generally used only on copper gutter systems. They’re costly but feature excellent aesthetics. Copper gutter guards are usually only available in mesh or screen styles.
- Plastic gutter guards are available in a wide variety of styles, shapes and sizes. Plastic is often used for inexpensive DIY gutter guard systems at retail outlets.
- Stainless steel is commonly used by professional installers. It’s a superior material for use in mesh and micro-mesh designs. They feature corrosion resistance and a long lifespan.
- Foam is a soft, flexible material primarily used only for foam gutter guards that fit inside your gutter or as part of a plastic gutter guard design. It features low prices but also limited performance.
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Types of Gutter Guards
The type of gutter guard you choose will determine its performance capabilities, maintenance requirements and cost.
- Brush gutter guards are budget-friendly. However, their performance is limited to keeping only large debris from getting into the gutter. Known for experiencing clogs, brush gutter guards require frequent cleaning.
- Foam gutter guards are similar in performance and cost to brush gutter guards. However, a high-quality foam guard can keep out some smaller debris. Frequent cleaning and maintenance are necessary when choosing foam versions.
- Mesh gutter guards feature small holes in their surface that allow water to pass through while large and mid-size debris rolls off the edge. Plastic and aluminum are common materials found in mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh gutter guards offer high-performance protection. However, the protection comes at a higher cost. Micro-mesh guards use aluminum or stainless steel and feature holes that stop even tiny particles from entering the gutter system.
- Screen gutter guards are similar to mesh guards in that they contain holes on a more-or-less flat surface. However, screen guards allow larger debris to pass through and are less effective for keeping out pine needles and smaller leaves. These are the least expensive types available and are generally made of plastic.
- Reverse Curve gutter protection is also sometimes referred to as a surface tension helmet system. Reverse curve gutter guards can be incorporated into the gutter’s design or added to existing gutters as a cap. They allow debris to pass over them while water falls into the gutter below.
Installation
Who installs your gutter guards, and how, are important considerations when installing the products. While DIY models and options exist and doing the work yourself can save on installation costs, the task is challenging and potentially dangerous. Many homeowners struggle to achieve the performance results of professionally installed systems.
Additionally, the guards you choose can affect the installation procedure. All-in-one reverse curve gutters require replacing your existing gutters, while installing high-quality micro-mesh models is only effective on gutter systems in good condition.
Cost
The cost to install gutter guards on your home varies based on several factors. One of the primary price factors is the type of guard you choose. Here’s what you can expect to spend on materials for your gutter guards, not including the cost of installation, which averages between $2 per linear foot for mesh and screen types and up to $6 per linear foot for micro-mesh and reverse curve types.
Warranty
Most professionally installed gutter guards come with extensive warranty protections that cover cosmetics and performance. However, many DIY systems only have product defect warranties. This can be an important distinction if you choose to install your own. Professional systems typically feature warranties that range from one year to the product’s lifetime. Choose your preferred manufacturer and installer based on the warranty provided, and be sure to read the fine print regarding exclusions.
Size and Length
Both the size and length of your gutter guard installation are major pricing factors. Sizes range from universal to five and six inches wide, and lengths can be anywhere from three feet to enough to go around your whole home. If you’re sticking to a tight budget, you may consider only protecting the parts of your gutter system where it’s needed most.
Brand and Color
Big-name brands in custom colors will invariably cost more than lesser-known products with just one or two color selections. While the color you choose isn’t likely crucial when installing gutter guards that aren’t visible from the ground, it may be an important component of the appearance of your home when putting up reverse curve systems.
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