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Learn about the pros, cons, services and pricing of the best gutter guards to find the right one for your home.
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According to our testing, we found LeafFilter, LeafGuard & HomeCraft to be the Best Gutter Guards on the market. In this guide, we break down the pros, cons and specifications of the top gutter guards available based on our extensive research.
Investing in gutter guards helps save time and the expense of hiring a gutter cleaning service. The best gutter guards block debris buildup and clogs in your gutter system, reducing how often you need to clean your gutters. Keep reading to find out which gutter guard system is the right fit for your individual needs.
Based on our in-depth review and ranking, here are the five best gutter guards to consider getting professionally installed:
While these gutter guard installation companies did not make our list for the best professionally installed gutter guards, they were still fair options to consider. Main reasons these companies did not score as high due to material options, communication options, and/ or warranties offered on products.
Compare key aspects of top gutter guards in the table below to learn more about which products best fit your needs:
| Company | Cost Per Linear Foot | Star Rating | Installation Type | BBB Rating | Get Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10-$35 | Professional | A+ | |||
| $10-$35 | Professional | A | |||
| $10-$30 | Professional | B | |||
| $11-$37 | Professional | A+ | |||
| $10-$30 | Professional | A+ |
| Company | BBB Rating | Cost Per Linear Foot | Star Rating | Installation Type | Get Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | $10-$35 | Professional | |||
| A | $10-$35 | Professional | |||
| B | $10-$30 | Professional | |||
| A+ | $11-$37 | Professional | |||
| A+ | $10-$30 | Professional |
There are many factors to consider when selecting a type of gutter guard and installing a gutter guard system. We’ve broken down the biggest factors below.
The type of gutter guard you pick dramatically influences the efficiency and quality of your gutter protection system. Here are the five most popular types of gutter guards, including their pros and cons.
When shopping for gutter guards, it’s crucial to ask yourself whether you want professional or DIY installation. Professional installation costs more, but the gutter guards offered are typically better quality, more durable, and longer lasting. Professional gutter guards also often include workmanship warranties or additional repair and cleaning guarantees.
A DIY gutter guard is more cost-effective if you’re willing to do the installation yourself. These products have a simple installation method, such as snap-in designs or adhesive strips. However, DIY gutter guards use lower-quality materials and have more limited warranties.
Gutter guard warranties add security to your investment, but you should pay attention to any limitations and exclusions. For example, tampering with or changing your gutter protection system will typically void the warranty. You’ll also want to note if the warranty covers repairs and replacement only or if it also includes cleaning services. If you have a roof warranty, check how the gutter guard service you’re interested in addresses those.
Professional installers typically require a home inspection before offering any pricing information for gutter guards. Specific aspects of each project affect the cost of services rendered, such as the number of linear feet needed, stories of your home and whether any obstacles could complicate installation.
DIY gutter guards are readily available online, at home improvement stores and from various gutter service providers. You’ll commonly see these products at under $3 per foot but don’t forget to factor in the cost of your installation time and any tools or equipment you may need. Here are sample costs for three popular gutter guards currently on Amazon:
Not all gutter guards fit on all gutters, so it’s important to measure your gutters before you make a purchase. Most residential gutters are 5 inches wide, but 6-inch and 7-inch gutters are available for locations that frequently experience heavy rain.
Gutter guard appearance may be important to you, too. If you don’t want to see your gutter guards from the ground, consider a low-profile design like a micro-mesh guard. Or, look for a product that offers multiple colors to match the aesthetic of your roof. Leafguard, for example, offers 12 colors for its gutters.
Gutter guards are a worthwhile investment for most homeowners, but it’s important to understand their pros and cons before you decide for yourself. Here are some major advantages and disadvantages of gutter guards.
We recommend LeafFilter as one of the best professional gutter guard providers. LeafFilter provides high-quality, micro-mesh gutter guards backed by a comprehensive transferable lifetime warranty. LeafFilter also ensures your gutter system is in top-notch condition before installing its gutter guard.
If you want to combat large leaves or experience dense tree coverage, consider HomeCraft Gutter Protection. Or, if savings and discounts are your priority, look into All American Gutter Protection.
We encourage you to get at least three quotes from gutter guard providers near your home to compare services, product specifications and pricing. Use our tool below to schedule estimates from our top recommendations quickly.
The only downside to gutter guards is that some products may dent or warp due to their material. We recommend finding a gutter guard made from aluminum or steel to avoid this.
Gutter guards last 10 to 20 years, depending on how well you take care of them and whether or not they get damaged by inclement weather.
You should clean your gutter system once every one to two years when you have gutter guards. Though gutter guards make gutter cleaning minimal, some debris may accumulate in hard-to-reach areas.
The alternative to gutter guards is more frequent gutter maintenance. You’ll want to inspect and clean your gutter system once or twice yearly if you don’t have gutter guards to protect it.
Yes, not only do gutter guards work, they are pretty essential to the upkeep of your gutters and a safe home. When gutter guards are properly installed and you use the correct style for the configuration of your home and local weather conditions they can help your gutters and roof last longer.
While DIY gutter guards are cheaper than professionally-installed guards, they typically don’t last as long. DIY gutter guards are typically worth it only when homeowners need a quick fix while finding a permanent solution. Likely the cost of going with a professional to install your gutter guards is better than installing them incorrectly.
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides.
