MasterShield’s unique copper-laced micro-mesh gutter guard remains one of the top gutter guard products available, but its recent decision to become strictly a supplier of its product to dealers around the country created some confusion.
We analyzed the qualities of MasterShield’s gutter guard and scored it 4.6 out of 5 stars using our review standards. Among the gutter guard providers we reviewed, that’s better than the national average of 4.4 stars and second only to LeafFilter, at 4.7 stars.
We researched MasterShield’s customer reviews and product quality and contacted the company to inquire about its current business status. Below, we share our findings and discuss whether these gutter guards are worth the investment.
Our thoughts on MasterShield
Gauging the objective quality of MasterShield’s gutter guards is difficult because it largely operates as an industrial supplier today. It has fewer than a dozen customer reviews across third-party review sites such as BBB. With that in mind, we considered the specifics of MasterShield’s products and compared them to our industry standards and firsthand testing experience.
What it means that MasterShield is now a distributor
In the past, MasterShield was both an industrial supplier and installer of gutter guards, with branch locations in multiple states. Customer reviews report concerns that the company may have gone out of business, but the company merely changed its business model.
Industrial manufacturers are the hidden backbone of the home improvement industry. They make products used by contractors and other companies, many of which are bought in bulk and are unavailable for consumer purchase. This model allows local companies to install products at more affordable prices, making them a popular alternative to big-name brands.
The downside is that these manufacturers operate as background figures with little online presence. If homeowners have a bad experience with the product, negative reviews are typically directed toward the local installer, not the manufacturer. This makes it difficult to accurately assess the product’s or manufacturer’s quality.
What we like
MasterShield provides high-quality gutter covers with unique design decisions. Its systems use technology designed by Alex Higginbotham, a multi-patent holder in the gutter guards industry. Its gutter guard uses a stainless steel micro-mesh filter set into an aluminum frame with interwoven copper.
Copper is one of the longest-lasting metals used in gutter and roofing systems and has natural antimicrobial and antifungal properties. This leads us to believe MasterShield’s gutter guards will better resist mold and moss than other gutter guard materials.
We also like MasterShield’s warranty. It offers a lifetime no-clog warranty that promises to replace or refund the entire cost of the system. This warranty goes above industry standards by promising that if the clog leads to a claim against your homeowner policy, MasterShield will refund your deductible up to $1,500.
What we don’t like
We don’t like how difficult it is to find information on MasterShield. Its recent closings, absence of customer reviews, and lack of BBB accreditation and rating are causes for concern. The few customer reviews that exist are largely negative, with a number of reviews claiming that MasterShield has gone out of business and that the warranty is now useless.
We attempted to contact MasterShield for more information and was met with a standard answering machine recording. We didn’t receive a callback.
Is MasterShield still in business?
When researching MasterShield, we encountered complaints claiming the company had gone out of business. Its BBB page features an alert that mail sent to the business in October 2022 was returned by the U.S. Postal Service as “Attempted – Not Known.” This lends more credence to this concern.
Upon closer inspection, we noticed that MasterShield had several branch locations across the Southern United States, all but one of which had closed. We looked into the one remaining branch in Atlanta. To our surprise, it was an installer.
MasterShield’s main website is still active and functioning, with up-to-date plugins and security certifications. We followed the “Become a Dealer” link on its website, which took us to a different page, specifically to its parent company or main distributor site, MicroMeshGutterGuards.com.
We sent a contact form through the website inquiring about the status of MasterShield and its other products. The customer service representative stated that MasterShield is no longer an installer but a supplier to local and third-party companies. This statement is further confirmed by MasterShield’s warranty page, which states, “All of our dealers are independently owned and operated.”
We’ve concluded that MasterShield is still an active company. In the past, it had a wider range of branch locations that provided in-house installations and service but has since ceased doing so for all but its Atlanta location. This would explain the comments about MasterShield going out of business, as these customers’ local branch offices likely shut down.
Today, MasterShield has shifted to being a distributor. It has phased out its branch locations and moved away from firsthand installations.
Compare top gutter guard brands
While MasterShield’s gutter guard system appears to be of high quality, it’s difficult to assess its effectiveness with so few customer reviews. If you want to check out recommended gutter guard brands with larger footprints, you can compare them in the following table.
MasterShield gutter guard type
MasterShield’s gutter protection system uses a stainless steel micro-mesh screen set into an aluminum frame with a reinforcing substructure. It sits on top of your gutter and incorporates a built-in pitch that uses water flow and gravity to self-clean; MasterShield calls this “hydrovortex technology.” Mastershield offers options for heated gutter guards to help prevent ice dams, icicles and snow buildup.
MasterShield’s gutter guards come in an assortment of colors, including white, musket brown, eggshell, royal brown, clay, black, dark bronze, wicker, cream, dark gray, pearl gray, terratone, antique ivory, sandcastle, forest green, scotch red and heritage blue.
We tested the major types of gutter guards and found that stainless steel micro-mesh products, similar to MasterShield, are the most effective. Micro-mesh gutter guards can protect against small and large debris, including pine needles, deciduous tree leaves, shingle grit, twigs and seedpods. Micro-mesh guards can handle heavy rainfall, with the brands we tested resisting water runoff. Micro-mesh guards are easy to clean thanks to the built-in pitch and tight mesh screens that allow you to brush or rinse off most debris.
Cost
We couldn’t find any cost data on MasterShield. Its website doesn’t offer cost information, nor does it have a price estimation tool. We checked its parent website to see if it had product prices listed; while other brands list costs, MasterShield does not.
We estimate that MasterShield’s gutter guards would have prices at or above the industry standard for micro-mesh guards. We surveyed more than 1,500 customers of the top gutter guard companies in October 2023 and found the average price to install 200 linear feet of micro-mesh gutter guards ranges from $3,000 to $4,500.
Since MasterShield operates as an industrial supplier, the cost of its products will vary based on the company installing the guards. MasterShield likely charges a base price for its products, but installers will charge rates based on numerous factors. Your home’s height, your total length of guttering, your roof’s slope, your landscaping, the state of your gutter system and local labor rates can all affect the cost of your gutter guard installation.
Warranty options
MasterShield has a strong warranty that’s clearly outlined on its website. The MasterShield warranty promises that your system will never clog. If it does, it promises to “replace it or refund you the product cost of the MasterShield installed on your house.” The warranty also promises that MasterShield will refund your insurance deductible up to $1,500 “should the clog cause damage claimable against your homeowner’s policy.”
MasterShield’s installers are third-party companies, so its warranty is only on the manufacturer’s side. It covers inherent failings in the product’s materials or construction but doesn’t cover any workmanship or professional installation errors.
The process for filing the warranty differs from other gutter guard companies. You’ll need information from the independent contractor, including their name, company name and password. You can fill out this form on the MasterShield website with this information.
Final take: A quality micro-mesh gutter guard installed by local third-party providers
MasterShield gutter guards feature an impressive design and a manufacturer’s warranty that is more comprehensive than the industry standard. Its gutter guard heating options make it a great choice for cold climates. However, its lack of online customer reviews and the mass closing of its branch locations are concerning.
If you want MasterShield gutter guards installed on your home, check with local gutter guard installation companies to confirm they carry its products. However, we recommend choosing a company with more reviews and product information readily available online, such as LeafFilter or LeafGuard. We recommend getting free quotes from providers near you to choose the best gutter guards for your home.
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.
BBB rating is accurate as of April 2024.
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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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