Best Gutter Guards in 2022

Last update: November 13, 2022

Are gutter guards really worth it?

Are you tired of constantly having to clean your gutters? If so, you may be considering purchasing gutter guards. Gutter guards are designed to keep leaves and other debris from entering your gutters, which can save you time and money in the long run. But are gutter guards really worth it? The answer to this question depends on a few factors. First, it is important to consider the cost of gutter guards. They can range in price from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, depending on the type and size of your gutters. If you have

Can I install my own gutter guards?

You can absolutely install your own gutter guards! In fact, it’s a pretty straightforward process. The first step is to gather your materials. You’ll need gutter guards, a ladder, and some basic tools. Once you have everything, simply follow the instructions that come with the gutter guards. If you have any questions, you can always reach out to the manufacturer for guidance.

Do gutter covers work in heavy rain?

The answer is: sometimes. Gutter covers are designed to keep leaves and other debris from clogging your gutters, but they won’t necessarily keep all the water out. In a heavy rain, water can still overflow your gutters, especially if they’re already full of debris. However, gutter covers can help reduce the amount of water that overflows.

Do gutter guards get clogged?

Gutter guards are an important part of keeping your gutters clean and clear. However, they are not immune to getting clogged. There are a few things that can cause your gutter guards to clog, such as leaves, twigs, and dirt. If you notice that your gutter guards are starting to get clogged, you should clean them as soon as possible.


Raptor Gutter Guard | Stainless Steel Micro-Mesh, Contractor-Grade, DIY Gutter Cover. Fits Any Roof or Gutter Type – 48ft to a Box. Fits a Standard 5" Gutter. Review:


I have almost 200 feet of gutters surrounding my property, and a mix of live oak, water oak, and magnolia trees are pouring leaves into them. The springtime oak bloom is particularly harmful, and the water oak leaves can pass through the tiny gaps in a variety of gutter guards. Additionally, squirrels enjoy running along my gutters, and past experience has shown that they will push through most low-quality guards. I've tried every one, which is how I came to this kind. The roof debris, oak flowers, and wet oak leaves are fully kept out of my gutters by them. Once installed, any debris that manages to gather on top of them is easily removed with a simple brushing (a mail in coupon nets you a free brush). Additionally, they are far more durable than the plastic or aluminum mesh ones I've previously used. This kind of gutter guard is recommended by consumer reports and professional reviews for its durability and usability. I can confirm that they make an eye-catching installation and live up to the promise. Even though it costs slightly more than $2 per foot, this installation is considerably less expensive than hiring a pro. There are 12 4' (really 47") parts per bundle. Each piece is made up of two aluminum rails, one of which has a T cross section to fit comfortably against the front lip of the typical 5" gutter, and a stainless steel fine mesh screen sandwiched between them. The level of craftsmanship is outstanding. About 50 self-tapping screws and a nut driver socket are included in the box.The portions' surprisingly high level of rigidity is evidence of the mesh's superior quality. Installation is easy if your gutters are linked to a fascia board in the typical manner; it becomes more challenging if you need to bend up the back of each guard to match your specific gutter installation. For trimming, hefty scissors or tin snips are needed to cut the mesh and a sawing to cut through the rails. Fortunately, pruning is only necessary where a gutter ends or a corner is present. A drill is also required to install the screws. Small ridges have been incorporated into the mesh to help water drain into the gutter and to make it rigid. The weakest part of the design, since the overlap can trap debris, is a short portion of mesh that extends off each end to close off the gap between portions.My installation experience has shown that it is not simple, but it is straightforward. I was considerably slower after bending the mesh as instructed in the directions. My installation extends over 100 feet and features gutters mounted behind a 1x2" bumper on the fascia board. This required me to bend each section's back edge slightly toward the back rail so I could attach it to the bumper. The mesh is tough fabric, so it takes some force to bend it. It worked, but it serves as an illustration of the kind of inventive adaptation required if your gutter installation is not conventional. The gutters are packaged with a brochure that offers bend suggestions for a variety of non-standard installations, including the one I just described. You may get single 3' sections of the same gutter from Home Depot for a comparable price if you find yourself a few feet short, as I did.This item receives a 5-star rating because it is reliable, strong, and efficient. My only complaint is that instead of simply overlapping the screens, it would be wonderful if the company came up with a neater solution to combine portions.



6 Pack - Gutter Guard 3 Inch Expandable Stainless Steel Filter Strainer. Stops Blockage from Leaves and Debris Review:


These are decent for the price.The only drawback is that they did require some trimming to make them fit our downspout openings. They are a really dense mesh, so I used a set of excellent sheet metal snips and gloves, but you could also accomplish this with simply wire cutters (I think we have a typical 2" x 2" apertures).Although I anticipate they will eventually rust like the previous set we had, for a temporary solution to prevent the gutters from becoming clogged with leaves, it was worthwhile.We dropped the rating to 4 stars because it had to be customized for our size downspout holes, unlike some other more expensive manufacturers.Please LIKE this review if you found it to be informative. This is just my own judgment. I did not know the vendor when I purchased this, and I was not forced to give a favorable review.



A-M Aluminum Gutter Guard 5" (200', Mill Finish) Review:


Great results. The plastic netting gutter guard I had purchased from my neighborhood home supply proved to be useless. More leaves appear to be caught by it. We have oak, hickory, and pine trees all around our house, so I had to clean the gutters once a week. I chose to try these after doing a lot of research. I am VERY happy with the outcome. Locally available 100-packs of hex screws were purchased, and the guards were successfully mounted. The guards were fastened with three to four screws per segment, and the corners were cut at a 45-degree angle. With a total square footage of 1600, the 200 feet of gutter guard was just right. about 3–4 hours to finish the task. I'll attach a few pictures to demonstrate the before and after. Because of their effectiveness and ease of installation, I do suggest these. Even yet, leaves will eventually just blow off the gutters after becoming stuck on them.



Stainless Steel Micro-Mesh, Raptor Gutter Guard: A Contractor-Grade DIY Gutter Cover That fits Any roof or Gutter Type- Sample Pack Review:


I have almost 200 feet of gutters surrounding my property, and a mix of live oak, water oak, and magnolia trees are pouring leaves into them. The springtime oak bloom is particularly harmful, and the water oak leaves can pass through the tiny gaps in a variety of gutter guards. Additionally, squirrels enjoy running along my gutters, and past experience has shown that they will push through most low-quality guards. I've tried every one, which is how I came to this kind. The roof debris, oak flowers, and wet oak leaves are fully kept out of my gutters by them. Once installed, any debris that manages to gather on top of them is easily removed with a simple brushing (a mail in coupon nets you a free brush). Additionally, they are far more durable than the plastic or aluminum mesh ones I've previously used. This kind of gutter guard is recommended by consumer reports and professional reviews for its durability and usability. I can confirm that they make an eye-catching installation and live up to the promise. Even though it costs slightly more than $2 per foot, this installation is considerably less expensive than hiring a pro. There are 12 4' (really 47") parts per bundle. Each piece is made up of two aluminum rails, one of which has a T cross section to fit comfortably against the front lip of the typical 5" gutter, and a stainless steel fine mesh screen sandwiched between them. The level of craftsmanship is outstanding. About 50 self-tapping screws and a nut driver socket are included in the box.The portions' surprisingly high level of rigidity is evidence of the mesh's superior quality. Installation is easy if your gutters are linked to a fascia board in the typical manner; it becomes more challenging if you need to bend up the back of each guard to match your specific gutter installation. For trimming, hefty scissors or tin snips are needed to cut the mesh and a sawing to cut through the rails. Fortunately, pruning is only necessary where a gutter ends or a corner is present. A drill is also required to install the screws. Small ridges have been incorporated into the mesh to help water drain into the gutter and to make it rigid. The weakest part of the design, since the overlap can trap debris, is a short portion of mesh that extends off each end to close off the gap between portions.My installation experience has shown that it is not simple, but it is straightforward. I was considerably slower after bending the mesh as instructed in the directions. My installation extends over 100 feet and features gutters mounted behind a 1x2" bumper on the fascia board. This required me to bend each section's back edge slightly toward the back rail so I could attach it to the bumper. The mesh is tough fabric, so it takes some force to bend it. It worked, but it serves as an illustration of the kind of inventive adaptation required if your gutter installation is not conventional. The gutters are packaged with a brochure that offers bend suggestions for a variety of non-standard installations, including the one I just described. You may get single 3' sections of the same gutter from Home Depot for a comparable price if you find yourself a few feet short, as I did.This item receives a 5-star rating because it is reliable, strong, and efficient. My only complaint is that instead of simply overlapping the screens, it would be wonderful if the company came up with a neater solution to combine portions.



GutterStuff Guard 5-Inch K Style Foam Gutter Filter Insert with Year Round Leaf Protection & Easy DIY Installation, 8 x 4' (32-feet) Review:


This is the fourth gutter guard we have used, and it is also the most expensive. Our two enormous maple trees shed their buds, seeds, seed stems, and then leaves. When it comes to clearing out debris, all of the gutter guards we've tried have had some issues, but this foam insert seems to be the most effective. (Disclosure: There hasn't yet been a leaf season.) It does well in light to moderate downpours. When it rains heavily, water can overflow the gutters in the valleys of the roof, particularly if there is some debris that hasn't been swept away. Very simple to install, and it doesn't appear to be at risk of blowing off like some other products have. Must wait to see how it responds to snow and ice.



Gutter Guard 3 Inch Expand Aluminum Filter Strainer. Stops Blockage Leaves Debris. Pack of 4. by Massca (Aluminum 3 inch) Review:


Our roof top is covered in long-needled pines, oaks, birches, plum trees, and liquid ambers, all of which drop masses of leaves, needles, and trash into the gutters. Because our gutters must drain beneath our homes and the ground before emptying to the curb, gutter guard filter strainers are an ABSOLUTE MUST. We can't allow leaves and other debris to accumulate and choke the drainage system.They function! They are not rusty. They gather everything and capture it. They only received four out of five stars because they clog quickly and fill the gutters with water till they overflow. Throughout the fall season, they need to be cleaned out periodically. Although this isn't technically a "defect" of the screens, I wanted other buyers to be aware that you can't install these screens and expect your rain gutter problems are completely resolved until the next season.



E-Z-GUTTER GUARD EZ-Quick-10 Gutter Guard, Silver, Review:


They were used (almost new) and I got them through Amazon Warehouse. I spent between $42 and $45.Before buying them, I did a ton of research. I watched videos of other products that were comparable to help me decide. In contrast to steel with a powder coat, aluminum was crucial. Design was crucial. I discovered that a gutter guard that rests upright in the gutter is preferable to one that sits horizontally in the gutter (like a trough).The fact that they are simple to remove is another great selling factor for me. The next major gutter clogging materials after the leaves from the numerous adjacent trees are dirt from dust storms and granules from shingles. I thus needed gutter guards that I could take off approximately every ten years to wipe out the granules and grime.With the exception of the ends, they were mostly flat when I pulled them out of the package, which is necessary for sending them in thin boxes. It seemed to be a tight fit and the gutter guard slightly bowed when I tried to fit one in my 5" gutters. But bending it back into form was simple. Additionally, I considered trying to reduce one by an inch to see if it would fit any better—NOPE, don't do that. The cuts will leave a lot of little sharp edges that will slash through your hands because it will be too loose and tumble into the gutter.I discovered how to slightly bend the gutter guard to make it concave for my installation. I quickly and easily completed this task by moving my thumbs along the gutter guard's length. They installed effortlessly after becoming concave.The roof flashing lip at the back of the gutter could catch the gutter guard. It occasionally clicks into place and other times it doesn't. The concave shape and the fact that they rest on gutter hangers or nails, which appear to be positioned roughly every three feet, are what primarily keep them upright.ADVICE FOR INSTALLATION: If the end of one gutter guard extends about 2-3 inches past the gutter nail, make sure to install the second gutter guard on TOP of the first one because that guard is being supported by the gutter nail. This will ensure that the following gutter guard won't sag into the gutter. The next gutter guard should be installed UNDER the previous one to help support it, for example, if one gutter guard extends 2 feet past the gutter nail.They were simple to overlap. They appear good. They are effective. Since having them installed, I've experienced a few strong downpours, and the rainwater runs through the gutter guard and into the gutter rather than over it and into the ground.I bought these in the late fall, and I put them in the following spring. This fall, I'm actually looking forward to skipping gutter cleaning.



Amerimax Home Products 636025 Lock-In Gutter Guard, Black (Pack of 25) Review:


Since I just installed them, I can't comment on how well they've held up through the winter, therefore I'll give them only 4 stars overall. I ordered one box, and it provided coverage for my entire house plus three more parts. Even though I don't think I'll need them, I'll store these extras in the garage. Before you buy, take measurements. One box is approximately 70 feet long (NOT 75 since each portion overlaps by 0.5 inches and because you will be cutting a piece in half with each run).Installation was quite simple for me and required almost no equipment, however there were a few minor problems and I have some advice.1) I discovered that the downspouts aren't at the "low end" after thoroughly flushing the downspouts and cleaning my gutters. According to what I've read, it's better if I raise the gutters by 1/4 of an inch "every ten feet. If you're going to do it now, do it now. You don't need a level, which I recognized but didn't do (and may come to regret). In my opinion, the water will inform you if it is moving toward the downspout on its own.2) Create a straightforward but useful tool: Initially, bend a wire coathanger 1/8 inward "with pliers at a 90-degree angle, then form the opposite side so you can grasp it and pull. As you overlap the ends of each part, you may use this to "hook" into the mesh and move it about as needed. When you install the new piece, you'll see that the one you just placed will slide back under the shingles, so this is beneficial. After losing the giant paperclip in the weeds, I switched to the coathanger. I had previously tried a large paperclip with a loop over my index finger, and that one worked just as well.3. The gutter guards wouldn't slid far enough under in some places. I removed a portion of the gutter guard in certain places. For a proper fit, you'll also need to cut the "final" piece after each run.4) Tin snips could be used, but I found an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel to be faster and give me straighter cuts. When I advise wearing safety goggles for this task, I really mean it! Although a Dremel with a heavy-duty cutoff wheel would likely produce better results, it would still work. To remove cutting tips, file or sand the ends with heavy-grit paper.5) Since my roof has flexible asphalt shingles, this certainly made things simpler. Although the instructions state to place the mesh under the shingles, in my situation the underlayment extends right to the edge, thus I placed the mesh there instead. Although not crucial, it appears less likely to harm the underlayment that way.6) A couple spots in the wood beneath the underlayment had nails in them. The mesh catches them. If you discover that it won't go under all the way, look for a nail and lift it up over it.7) Because the piece on the left should go above the piece on the right, I found it easier to move right-to-left than left-to-right.



Frost King RC60 Heating Cables, 60', Black Review:


Most people need roof deicing cables where it snows since they will safeguard your roof, home, and people.I've used a lot of different kinds, and while they all function, some feel a little heavier duty than others. This brand is no exception.Potential Icing Issues (Without Cables): I've observed numerous instances where people without deicing cables have experienced significant issues, including icy sidewalks and porches, icicles falling on people or breaking a basement window, damaged rain gutters, ice dams causing water to back up under shingles, causing roof leaks or rot, water pouring out of a soffit under the eaves, and I've even seen it go into an interior wall andInstallation: I carry out this work for my clients, and a proper installation entails not just cables but also the thermostat controller. Although most people are too cheap to acquire them, which is always a mistake, the thermostat controller will lengthen the life of the cables and reduce your energy cost, ultimately saving you more money than the controller itself. I'll explain why down below. They can be controlled by a smart light switch as well. A special switch with a red pilot light to indicate when it is on or off should be included in a proper installation.Consider whether Christmas lights will be on the same circuit and how much electricity they will use if you decide to use them.Overheating and early cable failure can result from leaving cables on in warm weather, over 45 to 50 degrees, or when there are too many cables near to one another or crossing each other.A 100-foot cable will consume 500 watts at a rate of 5 watts per foot, and most people simply plug them in and leave them on. In the winter, operating an appliance at 500 watts (or more for more cables or longer cables) for 24 hours a day is equivalent to leaving 25 20-watt fluorescent lights on continuously or using a 1500-watt electric space heater for 8 hours a day.Length: To ensure correct installation, read the included instructions or visit the manufacturer's website. The number of feet needed for your home actually can't be answered simply because every application is unique.The length is influenced by the roof overhang and even the roof's pitch (slope). You experience fewer ice difficulties on steeper roofs. If your roof is not particularly steep and usually does not have snow on it, you may have poor attic insulation, which will actually make your icing problems worse by causing melted water to collect at the edge. This is in addition to the additional cost you are incurring from losing heat through your roof. Therefore, if you have ice dams and need attic insulation, start with the less expensive deicing cable before having more insulation blown into your attic.If you have a bigger overhang, then it requires more cable per foot to extend the wires from just beyond the external wall to the edge of the roof and down into the rain gutter. On your roof, porches and valleys will require three or four times the amount of cable as other parts of your roof. Deicing wires are typically only necessary on the north side of your home, in shady places where ice problems exist, or along walkways.Rain gutters can have one pass down the bottom, but the downspouts must also be covered or the water will not be able to drain from the gutter, defeating the purpose. The cable needs to be doubled up and run down the downspout and back up so it may continue going down the gutter to another downspout or the end of the gutter run if your downspout is at the beginning or middle of the gutter run. Sometimes it is necessary to disassemble downspouts in order for the cables to pass completely through them.Wood roofs could catch fire, metal roofs have sharp edges that could damage the cables, and metal roofs normally don't have ice dam problems, thus all of the instructions specifically state not to use them on metal or wood shake roofs. Snow and ice on metal roofs slide off in sheets, necessitating the use of staggered snow/ice tabs. Although some flat metal roofs are capable of having pooling and leaks through seams, cables cannot cross sharp edges.



Amerimax Home Products 86670 Snap-in Filter Gutter Guard, 3', White Review:


For some people, they might be simple snap-ins. The drip eave on my roof extends over the gutters' internal wall. This indicates that each section has to be cut before installation. In order to ensure a tight seal, I also notched each leading edge such that the newest part would overlap the prior one by 3/8". With a saw blade with fine teeth, working with material is simple. I had to rip them with a table saw and trim the corners with a chop saw.As time passes, we'll be able to judge the robustness and longevity. Overall, I'm very pleased with the purchase.


Do gutter guards increase property value?

Most people believe that gutter guards increase property value. While there is no scientific evidence to support this claim, it seems logical that well-maintained gutters would be more attractive to potential buyers than those in disrepair. In addition, gutter guards can save homeowners money on repairs and maintenance, which may make a home more appealing to buyers.

Do gutter guards need to be removed when replacing a roof?

Most homeowners never give their gutters a second thought – until they need to be replaced. When it’s time to replace your roof, you may be wondering if you also need to replace your gutters. The answer is – it depends. If your gutters are in good condition and you don’t plan on making any changes to the roofline, then you can probably keep your existing gutters. However, if your gutters are old or damaged, or if you’re making changes to the roofline that will affect the gutters (such as

Do you need to clean your gutters if you have gutter guards?

If you have gutter guards, you may not need to clean your gutters as often as you would without them. Gutter guards help to keep leaves and other debris from entering and clogging your gutters. However, you may still need to periodically check and clean your gutters to prevent any buildup of debris on the guards themselves.

Does LeafGuard ever clog?

LeafGuard never clogs because it has a patented design that keeps leaves and debris from getting into your gutters. Water flows through the LeafGuard system and is diverted away from your home, while leaves and debris are carried away.

How long do gutter guards last?

Gutter guards are a great way to keep your gutters clean and free of debris. They can last for many years, but it is important to check them regularly to make sure they are in good condition.

How much does LeafGuard cost?

LeafGuard costs between $7 and $30 per linear foot, depending on the size of your home and the amount of coverage you need.