Cleaning out gutters is a messy and time-consuming chore, and we bet you have plenty of other things you’d rather do. Luckily, there’s a solution — gutter guards.
Gutter guards are installed on your existing gutters to help prevent leaves, dirt, sticks, and other debris from clogging them up. There are several types of gutter guards available, so before you choose one for your home, it’s important to know how they perform, what they cost, and how much maintenance you’ll have to do to see which is the best fit.
Gutter guards are a good investment that will protect not only your gutters from debris buildup, but also your home from water damage that comes with clogged gutters. In this post, we’ll look at different types of gutter guards and break down the pros and cons, so you can make the best choice for your home.
In this article:
- What Is a Gutter Guard?
- Factors to Consider When Choosing Gutter Guards
- 6 Main Types of Gutter Guards
- Gutter Types Comparison Table
- Choosing the Right Gutter Guard For Your Home
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Gutter Guard?
A “gutter guard” is the general term for a protective covering device designed to prevent debris from getting inside your gutters. You may also hear them called gutter covers, leaf guards, and gutter helmets, but their job is the same: to keep debris out of your gutters and water flowing smoothly through them.
Different types include covers, screens, inserts, and micromesh systems. Of these, micromesh is considered to be the most effective at reducing debris, protecting the gutter from UV exposure, and keeping out wildlife.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Gutter Guards
When choosing the type of gutter guard to install, you’ll need to take a few different factors into consideration. Examples include your budget, the installation difficulty, the type of debris you deal with, and how much maintenance you’re willing to do.
Budget and Cost
Installing gutter guards will take an upfront investment, but once they’re installed, maintenance costs are low for the remainder of their life. Determining your budget for the upfront installation costs can help you narrow your search.
Climate
The climate you live in will impact your gutter guard choice, because some perform better under certain conditions. If you live in an area with lots of trees, micromesh is the best for keeping leaves and twigs from sneaking into the gutters. Areas with high winds, heavy rainfall, or snow need a more durable gutter guard that can handle high water volume. Some types, like foam and brush guards, don’t hold up well in humid environments or under icy conditions.
Durability
Durability is another important consideration. Plastic screen and foam gutter guards typically last around 5 years. Brush-style guards can last up to 10 years, especially those made from metal, but they often require more frequent cleaning. Metal mesh gutter guards are the most durable option, with a lifespan of up to 20 years.
Ease of Installation
Installation methods vary depending on the type of gutter guard. If you want to install gutter guards yourself, brush guards and foam inserts are the most DIY-friendly. Other types, like PVC covers, are more difficult for DIY installation. While some homeowners may choose a DIY approach, professional installation helps ensure proper performance and better protects your roof warranty.
Maintenance Requirements
The whole point of gutter guards is to eliminate gutter cleaning from your to-do list, but you still need to check in on them to make sure they’re performing the way they should. Regardless of the type you choose, you should brush them off periodically to prevent leaves, twigs, and other debris from settling on the mesh, brush, or cover.
Compatibility with Roof and Gutter Profiles
Gutter guards are compatible with gutters on asphalt and metal roofs. Metal roofs use specialized fasteners and protective coatings, which can make installation more difficult. If gutter guard installation affects the metal roof, it could void the roof warranty or cause damage to the roof down the road. Some gutter guards are installed under asphalt shingles, which can damage the shingles themselves and the underlying roof and even potentially void the roof warranty.
Gutter guards are most compatible with K-style 5” gutters, which happen to be the most common type of gutter. Half-round gutters are less common, and gutter guards can be installed on them, though it might be more difficult if the gutter isn’t a standard size. Gutter guards are also designed to handle inside and outside miter corners.
Noise and Aesthetic Impact
If noise from rain falling on your gutters bothers you, then plastic may be the best choice. Rain makes a “pinging” sound when it hits metal, which can be distracting. For the most seamless aesthetic, micromesh gutter guards are low-profile and likely won’t attract too much attention. Reverse curve gutter guards are visible from the ground, and if you prefer to keep things streamlined, you should steer away from this type.
Wildlife Resistance
Gutter guards that cover the top of the gutter, like micromesh and surface tension guards, deter wildlife from building nests in the gutter. Brush gutter guards, on the other hand, create a place for rodents, birds, and insects to set up shop. All of the little bristles provide structure and shelter for wildlife, so if this is a concern, choosing a different style is the best route.
The new LeafFilter® CritterGate Downspout Adapter extends your LeafFilter protection all the way to the ground—sealing off the last entry point for pests and helping ensure your system is truly complete. CritterGate helps block pests like rats, birds, and squirrels while completing the fully enclosed LeafFilter system for total gutter and downspout protection.
Attention homeowners! 🏡 Did you know that LeafFilter offers FREE estimates for your gutter protection needs? Say goodbye to clogs and hello to peace of mind with LeafFilter!✅ To learn more and get started today, visit https://t.co/6tWbQ0wMvX #ClogFree #FreeEstimate #LeafFilter pic.twitter.com/9JOuBzi7Mp
— LeafFilter Gutter Protection (@LeafFilter) July 18, 2023
6 Main Types of Gutter Guards
When you first start researching gutter guards, the process may seem daunting. Don’t worry. In general, there are only six main types of gutter guards. Key gutter guard materials are PVC and metal, and different styles work best in different applications.
1. Brush Gutter Guards
These look like their name — they’re large, circular brushes that fit inside your gutters and capture debris while allowing water to flow through. Made of stainless steel wire or plastic, they come in standard lengths that can then be cut into specific sizes. They have a shorter lifespan than other styles, typically around 5 years, and critters tend to nest between the bristles.
Despite their intended purpose, the bristles also catch a lot of the debris rather than allowing it to slide off, which leads to more maintenance needs. This style is also a potential fire risk because of the bristles and should be avoided in wildfire regions.
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2. Foam Gutter Guards
Foam gutter guards are usually made of polyurethane and slide inside the gutter. Water can easily penetrate the foam and flow through, while debris is typically blown away by the wind. Once foam inserts become saturated, they are prone to mold and mildew growth, especially in humid climates. The foam also breaks down faster in harsh weather conditions like UV light exposure and heavy freeze/thaw cycles.
Foam inserts should be replaced every few years to prevent these issues.
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3. Screen Gutter Guards
These work similarly to the screens on your windows. Made from plastic or metal, they are flat, holed screens that are either bent to fit inside the top of the gutter or clipped onto standard gutters. They have large holes that allow water to flow through, but they stop debris from getting through.
Depending on the size of the holes, screen gutter guards can’t keep out smaller debris like seeds and roof grit. While these are an affordable option, they’re not as reliable as other types and may get blown out of the gutters during high winds.
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4. Mesh Gutter Guards
These are similar to gutter screens, but the holes are smaller (though not as small as micromesh), so they’re better at catching smaller debris. Like screen guards, mesh gutter guards are flat with a perforated barrier. They’re made of metal or plastic.
Because they’re flat, debris can settle on top of the screen and will need to be cleared off periodically. Small debris can make its way through the mesh and should be cleaned out as well.
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5. Micromesh Gutter Guards
Micromesh gutter guards are similar to screen and mesh guards, but they have a finely woven mesh screen with even smaller holes, so they’re superior at keeping common debris out of your gutters. Often considered the best gutter guard type on the market today, they work well for homes with heavy tree cover. This type works best when it’s pitched because the angle encourages debris to slide off while the water goes into the gutter, even during high-volume rains.
LeafFilter’s micromesh gutter system uses surface tension to draw the water through the gutter and a built-in pitch to shed debris. It also comes with a lifetime, transferable warranty and clog-free gutters – guaranteed.
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6. Surface Tension Gutter Guards
Also called reverse curve gutter guards or gutter helmets, these gutter guards have been on the market the longest of any of these types, making them the oldest design. Made of plastic or aluminum, they have a curved edge that leaves a slot between the guard and the gutter lip.
They are installed over your gutters, where they block debris but allow water to enter into the slot.
One downside is that they’re visible from the ground, so they can affect the curb appeal and, potentially, your home’s value. In heavy rains, the water may overshoot the lip, causing water to stream straight to the ground. This style also requires professional installation and may affect the roof warranty because it needs to be inserted under the shingles.
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Gutter Types Comparison Table
The table below breaks down each type of gutter guard to assess the material, maintenance, debris performance, roof-pitch suitability, and lifespan. By comparing each of these factors, you can figure out which style will work best for you, your budget, and your home.
| Type of Guard | Material | Maintenance | Debris Performance | Roof-Pitch Suitability | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brush | Plastic or stainless steel core with nylon bristles | High | Poor → catches only larger debris | Low → not ideal for steep pitches | Short (5–7 yrs) |
| Foam | Polyurethane foam | High | Poor to Moderate → saturates, traps smaller debris, prone to mold growth | Low → struggles on steep or high-flow roofs | Short (2–5 yrs; degrades faster in UV/freeze-thaw) |
| Screen | Plastic or metal screen | Moderate | Moderate → good with leaves, poor with needles/grit | Standard | Medium (5–10 yrs) |
| Mesh | Metal mesh (often aluminum) | Moderate | Good → blocks most debris except fine grit | Standard | Medium to Long (10–15 yrs) |
| Micromesh | Stainless steel micromesh + metal frame | Low | Excellent → blocks larger and smaller debris | High → works well on steep roofs with proper pitch | Long (20+ yrs) |
| Surface Tension / Reverse Curve | Aluminum or PVC cover | Moderate | Moderate → blocks larger debris, not small particles | Standard to High; may overshoot on steep roofs | Long (15–20 yrs) |
Choosing the Right Gutter Guard For Your Home
Choosing the right gutter guard for your home largely depends on your budget, the type of debris you have, and how much maintenance you want to do. When you’re evaluating gutter guard companies, pay attention to the warranties and guarantees they offer. It’s important to check reviews of each company to learn about other customers’ experiences with installation and performance.
While there are a number of gutter guards to choose from, micromesh is generally the highest-performing option and will significantly reduce the amount of gutter maintenance you have to perform.
LeafFilter is a three-piece, steel micromesh gutter guard system that uses patented technology to filter common debris. Our award-winning gutter guard is comprised of uPVC material that resists damage, has a built-in pitch and is installed to create the optimal angle to help shed debris. This combination of surface tension, built-in pitch, and fine mesh allows water to flow easily while helping to shed debris.
The system is completely sealed and durable, allowing it to withstand the weight of sticks, twigs, and pests. It’s also installed flush with your roof, so there’s no excessive tampering with the shingles. Lastly, the system comes with a transferable lifetime warranty and is professionally installed by a team of local experts. From start to finish, LeafFilter gutter guards have been designed to be as worry-free as possible with proven performance that speaks for itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a gutter guard?
Measure your gutters first, then consider your budget and your desire for reduced maintenance. Don’t forget to take your tree cover and climate into consideration. Then consider the information above as you decide between the different options and choose the best type of gutter for your needs.
Do leaf gutter guards work in heavy rain?
If you have the right type of gutter guard for your area, it can work well in heavy rains or downpours. Micromesh gutter guards are often considered the best at handling a lot of water. Mesh guards are able to handle water, too, however, they won’t block as much debris.
Are reverse curve and surface tension gutter guards the same?
Typically, the terms “reverse curve” and “surface tension” gutter guards are interchangeable. However, other types of gutter guards, like LeafFilter’s micromesh system, use surface tension to pull water into the gutter while diverting debris.
How do PVC covers compare to metal gutter guards?
PVC covers aren’t as durable as metal gutter guards and can deteriorate when exposed to harsh weather conditions. If PVC covers have larger holes than the metal screens, they’ll allow more debris into the gutters and require more frequent cleaning. Metal gutter guards will be more expensive, but they’ll better protect the gutters and have a longer lifespan.
Can gutter guards affect rainwater harvesting systems?
Using gutter guards in conjunction with a rainwater harvesting system will result in better water quality. The gutter guards, particularly those made of micromesh, will filter out any leaves, twigs, and other common debris, allowing cleaner water to flow into the barrels or cisterns.
Do gutter guards eliminate all maintenance?
While gutter guards eliminate a significant amount of maintenance, they still require some attention. Some types, like brush guards and foam inserts, require regular upkeep to remove debris and prevent mold growth. Other types, like LeafFilter’s micromesh screens, offer a clog-free guarantee, but you still may need to check the gutters periodically to make sure nothing has settled on the screens.
