Gutter guard installation costs an average of $3,873 for a 200-linear-foot project, based on our October 2023 gutter guard survey of 865 respondents who purchased professionally installed gutter guards.
Screen, reverse-curve and seamless gutter guards are usually the cheapest options to protect your gutters, while mesh and micro-mesh gutter guards cost the most. Foam gutter guards provide a solid middle ground in cost, although they require frequent maintenance.
Aside from your home improvement budget, how much upkeep you’re comfortable performing should influence the type of gutter guard you purchase. We spoke with multiple experts to provide insights into the various factors affecting gutter guard installation costs.
The best gutter guard brands combine aesthetics and clogging prevention at an affordable price.
What is the average cost for gutter guard installation?
Gutter guards can range from $6 per linear foot for a mesh screen to $50 per linear foot for one-piece gutter helmet systems, according to Kevin Brauer, owner of Storm Guard Roofing and Construction in St Louis.
Below, we outline the various types of gutter guards you can purchase, plus their installation and material costs.
Professionally installed gutter guards
Installation labor charges vary significantly depending on your chosen company, the number of linear feet you purchase, and your gutter system’s accessibility. For example, installation labor was $177 for 22 linear feet and $1,335 for 165 linear feet, according to actual LeafFilter customer invoices we analyzed. Among the 16 invoices we accessed, labor fees comprised an average of 12.6% of the total bill.
Professionally installed gutter guards are built and installed by manufacturers using in-house installers. Our research and testing found that professionally installed guards use higher-end materials and designs than budget do-it-yourself (DIY) guards.
Gutter guard companies that offer professional installation also offer robust product warranties, which add to their cost. This is one reason these guards typically cost more than DIY gutter guards.
The following table shows the average price ranges for professionally installed gutter guards from our list of top gutter guard brands, based on our survey results. Of the five brands, Gutter Guards America was the least expensive at an average $17.73 per linear foot, and LeafFilter was the priciest at an average $22.42 per linear foot.
| Brand | Cost (per Linear Foot) | Cost (per 200 Linear Feet) |
|---|---|---|
| All American Gutter Protection | $18.12 | $3,624 |
| Gutter Guards America | $17.73 | $3,546 |
| HomeCraft Gutter Protection | $18.49 | $3,699 |
| LeafFilter | $22.42 | $4,484 |
| LeafGuard | $20.07 | $4,014 |
Direct-to-installer gutter guards
Brauer stated that his labor rate for installing direct-to-installer gutter guards falls between $15 and $18 per linear foot. This range will likely depend on your location, home size and the linear feet of gutter guards you purchase.
With direct-to-installer gutter guards, third-party contractors purchase new gutter guards from wholesale manufacturers and offer installation services without oversight from the manufacturer.
Typically, these gutter guards tend to cost less than professionally installed versions while still maintaining overall build quality, so they’re a great choice for more budget-conscious homeowners.
The table below shows the costs of various gutter guard types (all 5 inches in width). We sourced these figures from Gutter Supply Inc., a gutter guard wholesaler. K-style aluminum screen gutter guards are the cheapest type at $1.95 per linear foot.
| Gutter Guard Type | Cost (per Linear Foot) |
|---|---|
| K-style aluminum screen gutter guard | $1.95 |
| K-style aluminum mesh gutter guard | $4.31 |
| K-style foam gutter guard | $3.84 |
| Half-round steel screen gutter guard | $2.96 |
| Half-round aluminum gutter guard | $4.45 |
DIY gutter guards
Based on our research, DIY gutter guards cost roughly the same per linear foot as direct-to-installer versions.
The more linear feet you purchase, the less you pay per linear foot of guard.
DIY gutter guards can be found at retail stores such as Home Depot and Amazon or purchased directly through manufacturer websites. DIY gutter guards allow you to install them yourself or hire a contractor.
If you install the gutter guards yourself, you can save significantly on labor, although you risk incorrect installation or injury. We always recommend hiring a professional contractor if you have doubts about your ability to install these guards safely and properly.
The table below highlights the costs of various DIY gutter guard brands based on current prices on Amazon. For these four brands, the cost ranged from $1.50 to $4.15 per linear foot.
| Brand | Cost (per Linear Foot) |
|---|---|
| Amerimax | $1.50 |
| Raptor | $2.60 |
| A-M Gutter Guard | $3.04 |
| GutterBrush | $4.15 |
What factors affect the cost of gutter guard installation?
Multiple factors influence the total cost of gutter guard installation, such as guard style, length, material, local labor rates and roof configuration.
Style
Gutter guard style plays a big role in your total gutter guard installation cost. Simple plastic screen gutter covers will cost less than micro-mesh or brush gutter guards. Larger, more complex gutter guards also tend to cost more since they require more effort to install correctly.
Another consideration to make when choosing gutter guard styles is the type of debris buildup your environment causes.
“If you live in an area that has pine needles, you need a really thin mesh [gutter guard] versus an area where it’s oak trees, where you don’t have to worry about the thin items getting in,” said Docia Boylen, owner of Handyman Connection in Golden, Colorado.
Certain styles better suit certain environments, so we recommend choosing the most effective guard style for the debris type that’s common where you live. For example, a screen-style guard effectively handles large debris, such as twigs and leaves.
The table below highlights the costs of each gutter guard style (K-style type, 5 inches in width), which we sourced from Gutter Supply Inc. Screen guards are the cheapest option at $2.37 per linear foot, and micro-mesh guards landed at the highest price of $4.83 per linear foot.
| Gutter Guard Style | Cost (per Linear Foot) |
|---|---|
| Screen | $2.37 |
| Reverse-curve/seamless | $3.25 |
| Foam insert | $3.85 |
| Mesh/micro-mesh | $4.83 |
Length
The length of a gutter guard also plays a role in installation costs. Gutter guard contractors should measure the length of your home’s gutters and quote you on the linear feet needed to cover your entire system.
On average, the standard roofline of a 2,000-square-foot home should have 200 linear feet of gutter guards.
The table below shows the average costs of four gutter guard styles based on their length, according to wholesale prices listed on Gutter Supply Inc. For example, micro-mesh gutter guards cost $966 for 200 linear feet. Note that these prices don’t include installation costs.
| Gutter Guard Style | Cost (per 100 Linear Feet) | Cost (per 200 Linear Feet) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | $237 | $474 |
| Reverse-curve/seamless | $325 | $650 |
| Foam insert | $385 | $600 |
| Mesh/micro-mesh | $483 | $966 |
Material
Aside from coming in different styles and lengths, gutter guards are also available in different materials. The variety of guard materials suits various budgets and use cases.
Plastic gutter guards, also known as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gutter guards, are typically the cheapest and least durable gutter guards available. They require more upkeep and will need replacing within five to 10 years. PVC snap-in gutter guards range from $1 to $3 per linear foot.
Steel gutter guards are another solid option since they are strong, easy to install and generally more affordable than other gutter guard materials. However, steel guards are more likely to rust and corrode than other materials and are prone to denting. Steel lock-on gutter guards range from $1 to $3 per linear foot.
Aluminum gutter guards are a popular choice for gutter protection since the material is durable and less prone to corrosion and warping. Depending on the style of aluminum guard you purchase, you’ll likely have minimal upkeep. Note that this material is costlier than PVC and steel guards. Aluminum K-style guards range from $2 to $5 per linear foot.
Copper gutter guards are generally the most expensive gutter guard material. It’s a popular choice due to its aesthetically pleasing appearance and rugged durability. Note that copper gutter guards are more challenging to install, affecting their total cost. Copper gutter guards range from $7 to $15 per linear foot.
Size
Gutter guards come in various widths to easily attach to different gutter systems. The most common sizes are 4, 5 and 6 inches. However, you can also find 7- and 8-inch sizes. Larger 6-inch gutter guards tend to cost more than 4-inch guards since there is more surface material in the guard, according to Boylen.
Measuring the width of your gutter system before purchasing guards so you can choose the correct guard size.
The table below shows the price differences between sizes based on a guard with the same material and style. We sourced these cost figures from Gutter Supply Inc.
| Gutter Guard Style | 5 Inch | 6 Inch | 8 Inch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel K-style | $1.93 per linear foot | $2.08 per linear foot | $2.65 per linear foot |
Accessibility
Access to your home’s gutter system also contributes to gutter guard installation costs. Hazardous terrain, such as slopes in your yard, makes it more difficult for contractors to install guards on your existing gutters. Obstructions, such as hedges or tree limbs, can also affect cost due to the extra time required to navigate your home and install the guards.
Boylen suggested cleaning your gutters before the gutter guard contractor arrives to avoid being charged extra.
Roof configuration
Another factor affecting gutter guard installation costs that may not seem as apparent is your home’s roof configuration. Generally, the more bends and corners available on your roof, the longer and more material it’ll take to install gutter guards.
A roof’s pitch also affects the time it takes to install gutter guards. It takes two to three hours to install guards on a typical home, estimated Brauer. However, homes with steep roof pitches can take up to an entire day. The longer it takes to complete an installation, the higher the labor rate. If your home’s roofline is steep, extensive and has many corners, expect to pay more in labor.
Home height
Your home’s total height is another factor commonly overlooked by homeowners. Gutter guard installation on single-story homes typically costs less than double- or triple-story homes, largely due to the lack of special equipment needed to install the guards.
For example, contractors may require a boom lift to access the roof of a home with three or more stories. Using special equipment adds to the total installation cost, according to Boylen.
Location and climate
The final factor affecting gutter guard installation costs is your home’s location and climate. For example, if you live in an area with heavy rain, you need a gutter guard that will trap debris while providing ample water flow.
The availability of licensed contractors who can install gutter guards may vary based on your location. If you live in a rural area, you may pay more for a gutter guard contractor if there aren’t many nearby.
What’s next?
Gutter guards can reduce the gutter cleaning you do every year and save you money from potential water damage to your gutters and roof.
We recommend hiring a professional gutter guard company if you have concerns about installing guards yourself. DIY gutter guards are perfect if you’re on a budget and enjoy working on your home.
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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