Best Gutter Guards
Are your gutters constantly being clogged? Gotta draw a line somewhere, it’s time to either cut down some trees or consider investing in some gutter guards. Here’s three types of gutter guards we personally install and reccomend:
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Material: Available in Plastic, Aluminum, or Stainless Steel
Pros: Durable, Protects your gutters, Prevents Pests
Cons: Difficult to install (especially on non-shingle roofs), Debris often gets stuck on top, so it needs to be swept occasionally. More Costly.
Duration: Depends on material type
5 years (Plastic)
15 years (Aluminum)
20 years or more (Stainless Steel)
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Material: Polypropylene
Pros: Unique design allows it to clear leaves by itself, durable against all seasons, especially winter, and is easier to install
Cons: More Costly
Duration: Over 20 years
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Material: Aluminum
Pros: Most Availability & Cost Effective Option
Cons: Unsuitable for Overhanging Trees and Small Plant Debris. Often get clogged with pine needles, oak tassels or locust flowers.
Duration: 10-20 years
Depending on what material you choose, Micro-Mesh Gutter Guards may be more costly. Plastic will be the cheapest option, but it only lasts 5 years. Regardless of material type, Micro-Mesh Gutter Guards also need to be swept or blown off occasionally as debris collects on top. Micro-Mesh Gutter Guards are also harder to install than the other options, because they need to be screwed in after being placed under the shingles. Installation becomes even more complicated on non-shingle roofs as they’ll be screwed onto the fascia instead.
The most expensive and durable gutter guard is Raindrop Gutter Guards. First introduced to the marketplace in 2000, RainDrop Gutter Guards can last up to over 20 years. Due to its unique design, Raindrop Gutter Guards self-clean, which means it clears leaves or other debris that collect on top when it rains. They’re easy to install and no screws are needed.
Unlike Raindrop Gutter Guards, Aluminum Perforated Gutter Guards are the most affordable option on the marketplace. However, they frequently need to be cleaned as they are unsuitable for overhanging trees and small plant debris.
In the battle of the Gutter Guards, the winner is. . . up to you. As always, you decide what to invest in. That being said, regardless of what type, gutter guards can still get clogged, but they help reduce cleaning time and increase your gutters’ lifespan.
