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.
Top 5 Gutter Guards for Professional Installation (2024)
Based on our in-depth review and ranking, here are the five best gutter guards to consider getting professionally installed:
- LeafFilter: Our pick for best professional installation
- All American Gutter Protection: Our pick for discounts
- HomeCraft: Our pick for large leaves and runner up
- LeafGuard: Our pick for full gutter replacements
- Gutter Guards America: Our pick for best materials
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.
- Amerimax Home Products: Our pick for DIY-ers
- Gutterglove: Our pick for pine needles
- Raptor: Our pick for customer support
- Thermwell: Our pick for affordability
Compare the Best Gutter Guards on the Market
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 |
The MarketWatch Guides Team comprehensively researched top gutter guard brands to provide factual, objective rankings. We reviewed provider websites in-depth and spoke with company representatives to answer follow-up questions. We also used third-party information like customer reviews to provide insight into providersâ reputations and product satisfaction.
For each provider, we focused on:
- Customer communication options
- Installation options
- Payment options
- Gutter guard construction and materials
- Additional benefits, such as warranties and additional services
- Better Business Bureau (BBB) score
Best Professional Installation Companies for Gutter Guards Reviews
LeafFilter
Our pick for professional installation
All American
Our pick for discounts
HomeCraft
Our pick for large leaves
LeafGuard
Our pick for full gutter replacement
Gutter Guards America
Our pick for best materials
How To Choose the Best Gutter Guards for Your Home
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.
Types of Gutter Guards
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.
Source: Marketwatch Guides Team, Leaf Home’s LeafFilter Product Testing Facility
- Brush: This guard is a giant brush that fits into your gutter system. It catches falling debris and blocks it from traveling to your downspouts while water continues to flow. These guards aren’t the best long-term solutions and typically require the same maintenance and cleaning as gutters without a guard. However, a brush gutter guard can be a quick and affordable solution to gutter issues.
- Screen: A screen gutter guard sits on top of your existing gutters and uses a small screen to catch debris. Though more efficient than a brush gutter guard, a screen gutter guard is less effective than micro-mesh and reverse-curve guards. Screen guards are also more likely to be damaged by heavy debris and inclement weather.
- Mesh: Like a screen guard, a mesh gutter guard uses small holes to block falling debris from entering your gutter system. Though more efficient and durable than a screen guard, mesh gutter guards still struggle to combat smaller debris, such as pine needles.
- Micro-mesh: One of the most efficient gutter guards available, micro-mesh gutter guards use finely woven holes to block debris from entering your gutters. They’re typically made of more heavy-duty metals, such as aluminum or steel. This adds longevity, durability and resistance to weather, warping and corrosion.
- Reverse-curve: Another highly efficient option, a reverse-curve gutter guard uses surface tension to pull debris off the guard while using a small opening for rainwater to flow through your gutter system.
Installation
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.
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.
Cost
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:
- A-M Screen Gutter Guard: $85 for 50 linear feet ($1.70 per foot)
- GutterStuff Foam Gutter Guard: $66 for 32 linear feet ($2.06 per foot)
- Raptor Micro-Mesh Gutter Guard: $125 for 48 linear feet ($2.60 per foot)
Size and Appearance
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.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Gutter Guards
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.
Advantages of Gutter Guards
- Prevent costly damage to your home: The main advantage of gutter guards is their ability to prevent your gutters from filling with debris and clogging up. When the proper flow of water is disrupted in your downspouts or at any point in your gutter system, it can lead to costly damage to your home’s roof, fascia and foundation. Properly installed and maintained gutter guards keep your gutters clear while still allowing water to flow through.
- Save time and money on gutter maintenance: By keeping debris out of your gutters, gutter guards significantly reduce the frequency of cleaning. That means you can spend less time on the ladder or less money hiring professional gutter cleaners.
- Attract buyers if you decide to sell: Gutters in proper working condition won’t necessarily add value to your home, but they will keep your home from losing value due to clogged, dirty, broken or poorly installed gutters. Installing gutter guards is one of the best ways to keep your gutters in good shape.
Disadvantages of Gutter Guards
- You still have to clean your gutters: Gutter guards are sure to make your life much easier, but no system completely removes the need for cleaning your gutters. Instead, they reduce the number of times you have to climb a ladder each year — or hire someone to do it for you. Additionally, the cleaning process can be more challenging since you usually need to remove the gutter guard to gain access and replace it when the job is done.
- Reduced water flow: The more restrictive a gutter guard is, the slower it is at filtering water through to your gutter system. For that reason, not all gutter guard types work in all areas. If torrential rain is common in your area, it may overwhelm and flow over a micromesh guard to the ground below.
- Some gutter guards void your roof warranty: Certain gutter guards install underneath the first row of shingles and may void your roof warranty. We don’t recommend installing these products, especially in a DIY setting.
The Bottom Line: Our Pick for the Top Gutter Guard Company
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gutter Guards
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.
Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Gutter Guards
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides.
