Raptor is a DIY micro-mesh gutter guard produced by Gutterglove. It offers impressive performance compared to other DIY products at a significantly lower price than professional brands.
Many DIY gutter guard brands have questionable value. Foam guards, for example, break down in direct sunlight, and plastic and uPVC products bend or warp over time. Raptor is made from stainless steel and aluminum, making it long-lasting and corrosion-resistant. Its guards, like some of the best professional products, use stainless steel micro-mesh to block debris.
To evaluate Raptor’s performance and determine if it can stand toe-to-toe with professionally installed gutter guards, we purchased a sample set and installed it on a gutter system model. We tested the guards based on their filtration, durability and ease of installation.
Our thoughts on Raptor
I like Raptor as a product. After testing every major DIY guard on the market, I concluded that Raptor is one of the best DIY options for homeowners. Its mesh is comparable to much more expensive, professionally installed products, and it blocks more debris than other DIY guards. However, it is more difficult to install and requires a bit of elbow grease if modifications are needed.
We awarded Raptor 4.5 out of 5 stars in our review standards, which is the highest score of the DIY brands we reviewed. Raptor scored highly for its effective micro-mesh design and appearance, but it lost points due to installation and attachment difficulty.
What we like
We like Raptor’s high-quality stainless steel micro-mesh gutter guard, easy-to-follow installation instructions and reasonable price. During testing, we found this guard to be easy to install, durable and effective at blocking debris and filtrating water.
We applied various debris types to the Raptor guard, including leaves, twigs and pine needles. It blocked particles as small as pine needles and shingle grit without clogging. This guard’s mesh and built-in ridges (which Raptor calls “V-bend technology”) made cleaning easy. Most debris was washed off with a light rinse or brushing.
Raptor provides a detailed and helpful instruction manual. In addition to instructions, this step-by-step guide breaks down required tools, safety precautions and DIY installation options. It’s one of the most comprehensive instruction guides I’ve seen for a DIY gutter guard. Raptor’s website has even more information available under its FAQ section.
We also like Raptor for its price. Raptor is sold on Amazon in standard packs of 48 feet for $124.99. You’ll spend $625 for a standard 200-linear-foot gutter system. This is a fraction of the price of major brands, which typically charge $4,000 or more to install 200 linear feet of gutter guards.
What we don’t like
We encountered a few problems when installing and testing Raptor. The first major issue was Raptor’s frame. The aluminum extends about one-eighth of an inch past the micro-mesh screen, creating a sizable gap when sections are placed next to one another. We had to trim the edges down with a pair of tin snips to install the guards correctly.
When I looked at Raptor’s website and various installation guides, it became apparent that this product was designed to fit 5- to 6-inch K-style gutters and standard asphalt roofs. If you have a different roof or gutter system, you’ll need to make major modifications to the Raptor guards in order to install them.
The last problem with Raptor is its screen. The mesh is extremely fine and blocks most debris, but it’s thin and easily bendable. You must be careful when installing Raptor to avoid bending or warping the screen, and it may dent when exposed to falling debris or hail.
We applied a stress test to this guard by impacting it with various kinds of debris. This caused minor dents relatively quickly. Based on this stress test, we can assume that Raptor guards will sustain serious damage and may need to be replaced when faced with major impacts, such as hail or a falling tree branch.
Compare top gutter guard brands
Although Raptor’s guard performance may be comparable to professionally installed micro-mesh products, it doesn’t offer the same services, warranties and guarantees. Review the table below to compare Raptor to top-rated professional gutter guard brands.
Raptor gutter guard type
Gutterglove is the company that produces Raptor gutter guards as a DIY alternative to its professional gutter guard installation services. Its DIY products are available at several retailers, including Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Costco.
Gutterglove, and by extension Raptor, sells several Raptor gutter guard packages, including the following:
- Raptor micro-mesh guards, standard pack for 5-inch gutters
- Raptor micro-mesh guards, ultra-pack for 6-inch gutters
- Raptor all-aluminum gutter guard, standard pack for 5-inch gutters
- Raptor all-aluminum gutter guard, standard pack for 6-inch gutters
We tested a sample pack of its stainless steel micro-mesh guards, which is available on Amazon and is not a full-length gutter guard section. The screen is set in an aluminum frame, the back of which is bendable to adjust to different roof types. We found them effective at keeping out the majority of debris.
These guards also withstood intense water flow, which we applied to simulate heavy rain. During this water flow test, Raptor performed well with only an occasional overflow.
Cost
A major benefit to DIY gutter guard systems is that you know what you’ll pay upfront. Professionally installed gutter guard brands require an at-home inspection of your gutter system before providing a pricing estimate.
Raptor’s standard stainless steel micro-mesh gutter guard costs $124.99 for 48 feet on Amazon. To cover a standard 200-linear-foot gutter system, you must purchase five packs, which will cost $624.95. If you have 6-inch gutters, purchase Raptor’s “super 6-inch” pack designed for wider gutters. This pack costs $149.99 for 48 feet, so your total will be $749.95 for five packs.
On Amazon, Raptor’s 5-inch aluminum guards cost $79.99 per 48 feet. The 6-inch pack costs $89.99 for 48 feet. Purchasing a set of aluminum gutter guards to cover a 200-linear-foot gutter system will cost you $399.95 for the 5-inch size and $449.95 for the 6-inch size.
Warranty options
Raptor offers a 25-year warranty on its products. Although its Amazon page and website do not host specific details, the last page of its instruction manual covers terms, coverage exclusions and limitations. The extended warranty covers parts only and does not include the cost of labor for reinstallation.
Raptor’s FAQ section also mentions the following limitation: “In coastal areas, warranty is reduced from 10 (ten) years to 5 (five) years due to heavy chlorides in the air, and the Extended Warranty does not apply. ‘Coastal areas’ is defined as anywhere within 10 (ten) miles from the coast.”
Customer thoughts
Raptor has more than 5,000 reviews on Amazon, with 4.5 out of 5 stars at the time of writing. Customers are generally satisfied with Raptor’s performance, price and installation.
Many positive reviews note the helpful instructions and easy installation. One review we read from Rich mentioned that the “bending guide” was helpful and that Raptor sent extra screws to assist with installation free of charge. Other positive reviews, like this one from Daniel, note the effectiveness of Raptor’s screen and its ability to keep out pine needles.
Critical reviews commonly reference two problems with Raptor’s product: its inability to fit over certain types of gutter systems and the tendency of snow to build up on top. We read a review from Daniel that mentioned the guards wouldn’t fit over a system with a half-inch drip edge. We didn’t have much trouble installing Raptor guards during our installation, but we had standard 5-inch K-style gutters.
According to customer reviews, Raptor experiences problems in heavy snow or icy winters. This review from Lisa Anne cites issues with snow building up on the guard, freezing and causing water overflows in winter.
Ice dams are a common issue with most types of gutter guards. If you live in a cold climate, you can install heating elements, such as heat tape, to counteract this issue. You can also ensure your attic is properly ventilated to help prevent ice dams.
How easy are Raptor’s gutter guards to maintain and clean?
We tested Raptor’s cleanability and found that gutter cleaning with Raptor was a breeze. These guards didn’t hold on to many materials, and light spraying from a hose or gentle brushing was enough to remove most debris.
We noted that the guards had a small dip toward the front, which could collect small debris, such as shingle grit. There was also a small gap between the screen and frame, which occasionally caught pine needles. However, these needles were not difficult to remove.
What is the installation process with Raptor?
The installation process with Raptor is extensive and may vary based on your gutter system and roof type. Below, we’ll break down the installation process for standard K-style gutters and asphalt roofs.
- Purchase gutter guards: Visit an online retailer that offers Raptor products, such as Amazon. Raptor is sold in packs of 48 feet, so purchase enough packs to cover the length of your gutter system. We also recommend purchasing enough materials to have some extra in the event of an installation error.
- Clean gutters: Clean your existing gutter system before installing gutter guards.
- Determine roof pitch: You need to know the pitch of your roof to ensure the back section of the guards properly fits onto your fascia board. If the slope of your roof is mild (5 to 25 degrees), you can install the guards normally. If your roof is steeply sloped (30 degrees or more), adjust the back of the guard as shown in the instructions.
- Install guards: Raptor’s instruction manual outlines four installation methods. The roof of our model gutter system had a moderate pitch and no attached underlayment, so we opted for option A. This process allowed us to slide the back end of the guards under our roof shingles.
During installation, we had to snip the frames of the guards to ensure the screens overlapped. Our installation was the simplest of the four options and was not difficult.
However, based on the instruction manual, Raptor’s FAQ section and customer reviews, steeply pitched roofs present significantly more difficulty during installation. For a steeply pitched roof, bend the back portion of the guard up or down and fasten it to the drip edge of your fascia.
Final take: Raptor is the best low-cost, DIY gutter guard option
We find Raptor to be one of the best gutter guard products for DIY gutter guard installations. Its micro-mesh screen blocks most debris and provides excellent gutter protection for a fraction of the cost of professionally installed systems.
While the installation process requires some DIY skill and modifications, its in-depth instructions make the job relatively straightforward. Raptor guards may experience ice and snow buildup if you live in a cold climate, but heat tape can help compensate for this issue. Overall, we were impressed with its performance during our gutter guard testing and review process.
Our rating methodology for gutter companies
The Homefront team incorporates our carefully developed methodology to rate professional gutter guard providers and do-it-yourself (DIY) products. We research and test gutter guards, interview industry experts and speak with company representatives to provide the information you need to make an informed decision before investing in gutter guards.
We assess professional gutter guard installation companies on construction materials and appearance, services and installation methods, cost, communication and customer service. We rate DIY gutter guard products on similar factors while emphasizing our product testing results.
We synthesize this information into review standards focusing on key aspects of the gutter guard buying experience and scoring each company out of 100. This score translates to the 5-star rating you see in our reviews.
Amazon ratings are accurate as of December 2023.
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Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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