Table of Contents
- Leaf Solution
- Leaf Solution at a Glance
- LeafFilter
- LeafFilter at a Glance
- Key Differences Between Leaf Solution and LeafFilter
- Key Similarities Between Leaf Solution and LeafFilter
- How Leaf Solution Stacks Up Against LeafFilter
- Bottom Line: Gutter Guard Roundup
- Is Leaf Solution or LeafFilter Right for Your Home?
- Methodology
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Leaf Solution and LeafFilter are two of the country’s most popular gutter guard companies.
But which one works better for your home? This article will break down the products, warranty terms, pricing, state availability and pros and cons to help you find the best solution for your home.
Leaf Solution
Leaf Solution at a Glance
Leaf Solution was founded in 2002 by Evelyn Robbins, the designer and manufacturer of the first gutter guard to use a stainless steel mesh. Her experience and experimentation led to two proven gutter guard designs: mesh and perforated.
In addition to the stainless steel mesh, the features that initially set Leaf Solution’s products apart from competitors were the three seams that run longitudinal to the product. These seams allowed their products to be installed at a slope because they direct the water flow.
In these 23 years, Leaf Solution has become one of the most popular gutter guard companies in the U.S.
Pricing
Generic gutter guards cost an average of $4 to $12 per foot to install. For homes with 150 to 200 feet of gutters, the gutter guards may cost $570 to $1,530 to install professionally.
The Leaf Solution Xtreme model is in the $32 to $42 range per foot of professional installation, leading to an average installation cost in the $4,800 to $8,400 range.
Leaf Solution New Wave, the more affordable model of the company, costs around $18 per foot of professional installation. That adds up to about $2,700 to $3,600 per installation.
State Availability
The state availability information is not provided on the official website. They only work through approved dealers and installers.
Products Offered
Leaf Solution has three distinct products:
- Leaf Solution Gutter Guard: The standard Leaf Solution gutter guard. It filters out leaves, twigs, oak tassels, rodents, pine needles, shingle debris, asphalt grit, roof granules and pollen. It handles 60 gallons of water per minute.
- Leaf Solution Xtreme: A heavy-duty version of the Leaf Solution Gutter Guard aimed at homes in regions that receive heavy rains throughout the year. It also handles 60 gallons per minute but can be modified to take more.
- Leaf Solution New Wave: The more affordable of the three main products. It’s considerably cheaper per foot but doesn’t filter out pine needles, shingle debris, asphalt grit, roof granules or pollen.
Other Benefits
While Life Solutions doesn’t offer additional services, they sell accessories to maximize the use of their gutters. Gutters often leak in the corners, especially in areas with higher water flow. Leaf Solution offers various accessories, including the Miter Leak Solution, that attach to corners and increase the surface area of the mesh to handle more water and prevent leaks and overflows.
Fine Print
Leaf Solution offers only a 20-year warranty on its products. Only Leaf Solutions products sold and installed by approved parties will be covered under warranty.
According to the warranty, the owner is responsible for performing regular maintenance by removing built-up debris with a garden hose and eradicating mildew or mold with a mix of one-part bleach and three-parts water. Failure to perform maintenance may void the warranty.
Furthermore, the warranty doesn’t cover damages caused by natural disasters, improper installation, product alteration, mold or mildew accumulation.
LeafFilter
LeafFilter at a Glance
LeafFilter has been around since 2005 and, in that time, has grown from a single office in Hudson, OH, to multiple offices throughout North America. Founded by Matt Kaulig from his home’s basement, LeafFilter differs from Leaf Solution in offering a single, high-quality product rather than multiple ones.
Their mission is to be the best gutter guard in the market and offer outstanding customer support simultaneously. They currently have an A+ rating with the BBB and a 100% response rate to complaints and reviews.
Pricing
LeafFilter gutter guards cost $15 to $45 per foot to install (though average at $29). That includes both materials and installation. The size of your home and location will significantly impact the price you pay for LeafFilter gutter guards.
The average house has 150 to 200 linear feet of gutters, so expect to pay between $2,250 to $3,000 on the lower end and $6,800 to $9,000 on the higher end to get LeafFilter gutter guards installed.
State Availability
LeafFilter products are available in 44 States. Currently, the states in which LeafFilter is not available are Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Products Offered
LeafFilter offers a single gutter guard composed of three patented components:
- Micromesh: A stainless steel mesh. The openings are extremely small at 275 microns wide.
- uPVC Frame: LeafFilter is made out of durable uPVC.
- Structural Hangers: Internal hidden hangers fastened to the fascia board for sturdier structural integrity.
Other Benefits
One of the biggest selling points of LifeFilter is its transferable lifetime warranty. The warranty is transferable to one subsequent owner of the same single-family home or single-family unit in which the products were originally installed.
LeafFilter will also repair a faulty gutter guard or refund 100% of the purchase price when the LeafFilter Gutter Protection system fails, causing the gutters to clog with debris and cause an overflow. It will also repair the problem or refund customers if their house suffers water damage due to a faulty product.
Fine Print
In regard to the warranty, it will not cover any event other than defective products. The warranty won’t cover the product’s damage due to natural disasters or plant life. Customers are also responsible for informing LeafFilter about suspected defects “within a reasonable time after discovery” and providing a written explanation.
Key Differences Between Leaf Solution and LeafFilter
While both companies sell similar products, they are quite different from each other. The key differences between the two are as follow:
- Leaf Solution is designed as a screen or screen placed over the gutters to avoid debris from entering them. LeafFilter is a micro-mesh placed on top of the gutters, allowing water to flow through the gutter while keeping debris out.
- Leaf Solution is installed by attaching it to the gutter’s top, while LeafFilter goes directly into the existing gutter system.
- Leaf Solution will require more cleaning than LeafFilter because the screen collects debris on its surface.
Key Similarities Between Leaf Solution and LeafFilter
Although Leaf Solution and LeafFilter have some differences, they also share some similarities:
- Both products are designed to protect gutters by keeping leaves, twigs and other materials outside.
- Both products are designed with a mesh that allows water to flow through the gutter while keeping debris out.
- Both Leaf Solution and LeafFilter come with a manufacturer’s warranty that covers the product’s performance and durability.
How Leaf Solution Stacks Up Against LeafFilter
Here’s how Leaf Solution stacks up against LeafFilter in terms of reviews, ratings and warranty policies.
Leaf Solution and LeafFilter are popular gutter protection systems. From a customer service perspective, LeafFilter has excellent BBB ratings and a 100% response rate on questions, complaints and reviews. Leaf Solution is not BBB accredited and there are some reviews on tricky sales calls.
In terms of warranty, LeafFilter offers a lifetime, transferable warranty that could increase your home’s value by making it more attractive to potential buyers. However, both companies have strict policies about the warranty.
Bottom Line: Gutter Guard Roundup
It’s hard to point out the best of the two since they both have a good reputation and offer high-quality products. But we consider that LeafFilter has an edge, mainly due to the lifetime transferable warranty, better overall reputation among customers and overall better design for its gutter protection products.
Is Leaf Solution or LeafFilter Right for Your Home?
That depends. Leaf Solution’s three products and miter leak accessories offer more flexibility in function and budget range than LeafFilter’s singular product.
If you’ve noticed that corner leaks have been a problem in your home, you may be better off getting Leaf Solution’s gutter guards with additional miter leak accessories. If heavy rain and leaking are not an issue where you live, they’re both comparable in price and quality. Your choice may come down to local availability and installation price.
Specifically for heavy rain areas, Leaf Solution Xtreme may be a better choice for your home.
Nonetheless, LeafFilter is a superior product compared to Leaf Solution. It’s important to consider your specific needs and budget when choosing between these two products.
Methodology
To determine the best gutter guard company ranking, the Forbes Home Improvement editorial team analyzed third-party data on a dozen major companies, with each product’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:
Size Compatibility (20%)
Size compatibility makes up a fifth of the total ranking because ensuring a new gutter guard fits your home is paramount.
BBB Grade Rating (F-A+) (20%)
BBB grade rating is an indicator of a company or product’s health, which is why it was included as a category weighing 20% of the total ranking.
Rain Resistance Rating (15%)
The team gathered and analyzed each gutter guard’s rain resistance rating. The better the rating, the more points a product got, which totaled 15% of the ranking.
Number of Colors Available (15%)
Color options of each gutter guard product were evaluated for 15% of the total ranking. The more color options, the more points a product gets.
Warranty (15%)
Warranty accounts for 15% of the total ranking, and each product’s warranty was evaluated for both breadth and length.
BBB Accreditation (15%)
Whether or not a product and its corresponding company BBB accredited gained or lost it points for 15% of the total ranking.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which is more expensive, Leaf Solution or LeafFilter?
Both tend to be above $29 per foot with professional installation, so they’re of comparable price. However, Leaf Solution does offer an option for tighter budgets with their Leaf Solution New Wave, which costs around $18 per foot with professional installation.
What is the difference between Leaf Guard and LeafFilter?
Both Leaf Guard and LeafFilter protect your gutters from leaves, sticks and other debris. However, LeafFilter’s micromesh design is better for small debris.
Is LeafFilter overpriced?
LeafFilter is more expensive than generic gutter guards. Generic gutter guards tend to cost $4 to $12 per foot, and you can install them yourself to save on installation costs. LeafFilter generally costs above $29 per foot, which includes professional installation by a licensed installer partnered with LeafFilter.
Does LeafFilter ever get clogged?
LeafFilter guarantees that their product won’t allow the interior of your gutter to clog with debris, preventing overflows. If that ever happens due to factory defects, you can make a warranty claim that will result in either replacing the gutter guards or a refund for 100% of the cost.
What is the average cost per foot for LeafFilter?
LeafFilter gutter guards generally cost over $29 per foot of professional installation, but installation prices vary significantly depending on location. You can’t perform a DIY installation because they only operate through licensed dealers or installers.