How much does Gutter cover installation cost?

By collecting water and directing it away from your house, roof gutters and downspouts protect a home’s foundation, siding, windows, and doors from damage caused by rainwater runoff. 

But rain gutters also capture small debris—things like pine needles, leaves, and twigs—that wash down the roof or are carried in from the air. Eventually, this makes gutters clog, blocking the water flow. During a heavy rain, clogged gutters may sag, spill over, and can even pull loose from the roof or fascia (the boards along the side of the roof where the gutters are attached).

Cleaning gutters can be a challenging (and even dangerous) chore, even for DIY-oriented homeowners—and professional gutter cleaning typically costs $90–400, depending on your house’s size and height. But installing gutter covers, also known as gutter guards or leaf guards, will prevent most debris from collecting in the first place. 

The installation process varies. Some guards simply snap on to existing gutters, while others require a whole new gutter system. Some are hard to remove and reinstall when you clean the gutters—something you’ll still need to have done occasionally, because a little debris (especially smaller pieces) still builds up over time. The best gutter guards offer easy accessibility for cleaning.

The specific system you choose—taking into account factors such as rainfall in your area and the type of debris you tend to get—will largely determine your gutter guard installation costs. Local gutter guard companies usually provide free quotes for professional installation. If you want a specific brand (such as LeafFilter, Gutter Helmet, LeafGuard, or MasterShield), you can visit gutter guard company websites to find authorized local installers. 

You can also purchase gutter guards directly from a home-improvement center in your area, then have them installed by a gutter professional or qualified handyperson.

In this guide, you’ll learn about the typical costs of gutter cover installation.

To learn more about gutter prices, read Cost of gutter installation and Cost of gutter cleaning.

The national average cost of gutter cover installation is $4–15 per linear foot of gutters, including materials and labor. For an average home (about 1,500-–2,500 square feet), with about 150–200 linear feet of gutters, you’d typically pay $750–2,400. 

Not counting the gutter guards themselves, installation labor costs generally range from $3–12 per linear foot. 

Prices are largely determined by the type of gutter guard system you have installed. Here are the most common kinds, and what you’ll typically pay for them.

Regular mesh steel-screen gutter guards work well at keeping out large debris, such as pieces of roof shingles. They’re easy to install and are recommended by many professionals, due to their moderate price and long lifespan (usually 10–20 years). Average cost: $4–10 per linear foot, installed. 

Micro-mesh gutter guards, often made of stainless steel, do a good job of filtering very small debris. Their tiny holes—often 50 microns each (less than the diameter of a human hair)—keep out just about everything but water. One downside of this type is that, in cold climates, they can increase the likelihood of ice dams (ridges of ice that form when snow melts and then refreezes). Average cost: $5–12 per linear foot, installed (but some high-end varieties can cost as much as $35 per linear foot).

Solid or surface-tension guards are unperforated panels that squeeze into your gutter’s top opening. Water is channeled through the gap between the panel and gutter, while leaves and debris are kept out and carried off the edge. With this type, there can sometimes be considerable water spillover during a heavy rain or icicle formation during a freeze. Average cost: $8–15 per linear foot, installed. 

Brush gutter guards are cylindrical tubes of bristles (like a bottle brush) that sit in the bottom of your gutters, catching leaves and other debris while allowing water to flow through them. They’re low-cost and easy to install, but can be particularly susceptible to debris buildup. Average cost: $6–12 per linear foot, installed. 

Foam gutter guards, in the shape of bars or cylindrical inserts, do a fairly good job of keeping debris out of gutters, and they’re easy to remove for gutter cleaning. Average cost: $7–13 per linear foot, installed. 

Vinyl (PVC) and plastic grids go on top of gutters and filter out larger debris. These gutter guard materials are often the least expensive, and they work reasonably well. Average cost: $3–8 per linear foot, installed. 

These additional issues can affect gutter cover installation costs:

Here are some ways to reduce the cost of gutter cover installation.

How much does it cost to have gutter guards installed?

For an average-size home, you’ll pay $750–2,400 to have a system professionally installed, including materials and labor costs. The type and brand of covers you choose, your home’s size and height, and the condition of your existing gutters will all affect the total price. 

Is it worth it to install gutter guards?

At a typical cost of $4–15 per linear foot of gutters (including materials and labor), installing guards is a relatively affordable way to reduce the need for gutter cleaning. Gutter protection also lowers risk of water damage around your home, which can lead to expensive repairs.

How much does gutter guard cost per linear foot?

The purchase price of gutter guards ranges from $1.50–15+ per linear foot, depending on the type, material, and brand you choose. Premium name-brand covers, which filter out the smallest bits of debris, can cost up to $17–35 per linear foot. 

Find a gutter cover installation professional in your area.