Cleaning gutters is not just a hassle; the task can be dangerous if you do it yourself. Gutter guards work to block leaves and other debris that clog your gutters, but they still let water flow through. The right gutter guards can help you limit the time and energy you spend cleaning your gutters.
However, not all gutter guards live up to their promises. That’s why we have conducted in-depth research on the best gutter guards on the market and created this detailed guide to help you purchase the right gutter guard for your home.
The Top Gutter Guards of 2022
Here are our top 5 picks for the best gutter guards to protect your gutters from leaves and debris:
Types of Gutter Guards
There are various types of gutter guards. Each type provides a different approach to keeping debris out of your gutters but allowing water to flow. Different types of gutter covers are better suited for individual situations and homes.
Learn more about the various types of gutter guards below.
Foam
This gutter guard is a piece of foam that fits into your gutters. It lets water flow through but keeps debris on top. Whether or not a foam guard is efficient depends on the amount of debris and the design of the foam guard. Due to this, clogging may still occur.
Seedlings and trees can grow inside the foam guard. This issue could cause damage to the gutters themselves and become a fire hazard. These guards also require yearly cleaning. Overall, this type of gutter guard is a short-term solution.
Brush
Brush gutter guards sit inside the gutter and use large-bristle brushes to keep leaves and other debris out. This design still allows for water to pass through easily, and it is better suited for large debris, such as leaves and pine cones.
Small debris, such as maple spinners and pine needles, may get stuck in the bristles and cause clogging. Typically, a brush gutter guard must be cleaned yearly. Unfortunately, cleaning a brush gutter guard is a hassle, as you must take out the entire guard to clean it.
Screen
This type of gutter guard is similar to a screen on windows or doors in your home. Screen gutter guards feature large holes that rainwater flows through while keeping larger debris out. However, because the holes in the screen are larger, smaller debris may still get through.
Screen guards are also not ideal for homeowners in windy areas, as they may blow off gutters. They also still require yearly cleaning.
Reverse Curve or Surface Tension
Reverse curve, or surface tension, gutter guards feature a design that moves rainwater down into your gutters but utilizes the flow of water and surface tension to push leaves and other debris to the ground.
Reverse curve gutter guards are typically visible from the ground, so they are often considered less aesthetically appealing than other guards. Often, they require replacing your entire gutter system and movement of roof shingles to install them. This may conflict with your roof warranty.
Mesh or Micro-Mesh
Mesh and micro-mesh gutter guards are similar to screen guards but feature a compact design that blocks more debris, including smaller debris like pine needles. They require professional installation, especially micro-mesh. Overall, mesh and micro-mesh gutter guards are widely considered the most effective guards.
What to Look for in a Gutter Guard
Different types of gutter guards are better for different homes and regions. Also, not all gutter covers provide the best results. We have listed some of the most important factors to consider when looking for the right gutter guard for your home.
Pro vs. DIY Gutter Guards
You can elect to install gutter guards yourself, but we don’t recommend it. The drop-in type of guards, such as foam and brush, are the simplest to install. However, the do-it-yourself approach is both physically taxing and potentially dangerous. Plus, DIY guards often require more frequent routine maintenance and cleaning.
Higher-quality gutter guards—such as surface tension, mesh, and micro-mesh—typically require professional installation. These types of gutter covers tend to use hidden fasteners that attach your guard to your roof’s fascia, a longer-lasting approach to securing a gutter guard.
Professional gutter guard installation can also include other valuable gutter services, such as the installation of new gutters and downspouts. Additionally, a full-service contractor company is more likely to include a warranty on materials and installation.
Materials Used
Materials used in gutter guards vary by each product and not just the type of gutter guard. We recommend against foam gutter guards because they are highly susceptible to mold growth. Gutter guards constructed of plastic are slightly better, but they are more susceptible to swelling and cracking due to weather changes and need to be replaced frequently. Plastic is often used to create the curve in reverse-curve guards and the frame of guards.
If you are searching for a higher-quality gutter guard, we recommend guards that utilize heavy-duty metals. For example, stainless steel is popular for reverse-curve and micro-mesh guards. Stainless steel is one of the most durable options, and it avoids rust, corrosion, expansion, and warping.
Copper offers similar results but is a more rare material. Aluminum also helps avoid rust and corrosion, but it is not as rugged as stainless steel. For example, tree branches might pierce aluminum guards.
Warranty Included
One significant way to get additional security and peace of mind with your gutter guards is to check to see if the company includes a warranty. Most gutter guard warranties should extend beyond 20 years. Many companies also provide transferable lifetime warranties, which allow new homeowners to continue to protect the home you’ve come to love.
These warranties tend to have many limitations, though. In particular, any form of tampering with the roof or structure around them will likely void your warranty terms.
Types of Debris Build-Up Prevented
It is also essential to take note of the debris building up in the gutters. The different types of gutter guards are better suited for different types of debris. Below is a list of the types of debris build-ups gutter guards prevent.
| By Type: | Foam | Brush | Screen | Reverse Curve | Mesh | Micro-mesh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Twigs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pine cones | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Branches | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Insects | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Other pests | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pine needles | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pollen | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Shingle grit | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Gutter Guards FAQs
How We Chose the Top Gutter Guard Providers
We researched and analyzed dozens of gutter guards and gutter guard companies. Then, we formulated a rating system based on each gutter guard service’s several significant factors. Factors include the types of gutter guards they offer and their quality, customization with colors, warranty lengths and limitations, and additional features such as heating elements.
Speaking directly to a representative at each company, we determined how each gutter guard company personalizes its installation process for each home. We also noted if the company guarantees its quote for a particular length of time, allowing customers time to make an informed decision.
We evaluated each provider based on their rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to determine reputation. In addition, we analyzed the 100 most recent Google Reviews for each provider across various locations and branches.