A gutter is designed to divert rainwater away from your home. Clogged gutters can prevent proper drainage, resulting in water spilling down your home’s exterior walls and causing problems such as cracks in your roof, foundation damage, mold and mildew, and basement flooding.
Gutter guards, also known as leaf guards, cover your gutters and prevent leaves, pine needles, and other debris from getting trapped. While gutter guards aren’t entirely maintenance-free, they reduce the need for routine gutter cleanings.
There are many different gutter guards, each with its own aesthetics, functionality, and price. As a result, a wide range of costs is associated with gutter guard installation. We’ll break down the materials and costs to help you decide which is best suited for your home, guiding you toward the best gutter guards available for your needs.
The Cost of Gutter Guard Installation
Installers charge per linear foot of gutter guards plus fees and labor. With the average home requiring about 200 linear feet of materials, the average cost for gutter guard installation is between $900 and $2,000. High-end professional installation with quality materials will cost more, between $1,500 and $5,000, while self-installing a gutter cover that uses PVC or plastic may cost around $100 for 200 linear feet.
Below is a breakdown of gutter guard material costs, labor costs for installation, and what you can expect to pay in total costs.
| Cost | Gutter Guard Price per Linear Foot | Gutter Guard Cost for 200 Linear Feet | Gutter Guard Installation Cost* | Total Projected Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foam | $2–$3.25 | $400–$650 | $300–$700 | $700–$1,350 |
| Brush | $3–$4.25 | $600–$850 | $600–$900 | $1200–$1,750 |
| Plastic screen | $0.40–$1 | $80–$200 | $50–$200 | $130–$400 |
| Steel screen | $1.50–$3.50 | $300–$700 | $800–$1,500 | $1,100–$2,200 |
| Surface-Tension | $3.50–$6.50 | $700–$1,900 | $1,000–$5,000 | $1,700–$6,900 |
| Micro-Mesh | $2–$4 | $400–$800 | $900–$2,000 | $1,300–$2,800 |
*This cost data was based on the national average for a 2,300-square-foot home across multiple sources.
Keep in mind that material prices and installation costs may vary from location to location. Therefore, we suggest you gather a few quotes from general contractors and gutter guard services in your area to compare pricing and products.
Types of Gutter Guards
Each type of gutter guard provides a different approach to keeping debris out of your gutters. It’s essential to take note of the debris building up in your gutters to find a gutter guard that’s worth it for your home.
Also, gutter guards are susceptible to ice dams. If you reside in a snowy or icy climate, you may want to look into a gutter guard company that offers heating elements.
Learn more about each type of gutter guard below.
Foam
This gutter guard is an easy-to-install piece of foam that fits into your gutters. The foam lets water flow through it while debris sits on top of the gutter. However, debris may still fall from the foam into your gutters, and clogging may still occur with significant leaf buildup. It’s also possible for seedlings and trees to take root and grow inside the foam guard, causing damage to gutters and becoming a fire hazard. As a result, these guards require yearly cleaning—on par with typical gutter cleanings.
Types of buildup prevented: Leaves, twigs, branches, and pine cones.
Recommendation: Overall, this type of gutter guard should be viewed as a short-term solution.
Brush
Brush gutter guards use large bristles to capture debris, allowing water to pass through easily. Like foam guards, they are easy to install by inserting them into your existing gutter.
Brush gutter guards are best suited for large debris, such as leaves and pine cones. Smaller debris, such as maple spinners and pine needles, may get stuck in the bristles and cause clogging. As a result, you’ll need to remove the brush guards completely to clean them annually.
Types of buildup prevented: Leaves, twigs, branches, and pine cones.
Recommendation: Brush guards are a low-cost option for homeowners on a budget and those with fewer linear feet of gutters to cover.
Screen
Screen gutter guards are similar to a screen door and snap on to your existing gutters. They can be made of plastic or metal and feature large holes that rainwater flows through while keeping larger debris out. Because the holes in the screen are larger than some other types of gutter guards, smaller debris may still get through.
Types of buildup prevented: Leaves, twigs, branches, pine cones, insects, and other pests.
Recommendation: Screen guards require yearly cleaning and are not ideal for homeowners in windy areas, as they may blow off gutters.
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 drop down to the ground. Though some debris may stick during heavy downpours, you should be able to brush this debris off or wait until it dries and falls to the ground.
Often, reverse curve gutter guards require the entire replacement of your gutter system and for roof shingles to be moved to install them. This installation may conflict with your roof warranty. Additionally, these gutter guards are typically visible from the ground, so they are often considered less aesthetically appealing than other guards.
Types of buildup prevented: Leaves, twigs, branches, pine cones, pine needles, insects, and other pests.
Recommendation: Reverse curve guards are best for homeowners who are less concerned with aesthetic appeal and care more about efficiency. It’s also an option if you reside around heavier foliage.
Mesh or Micro-Mesh
Mesh and micro-mesh gutter guards are similar to screen guards but feature a more compact design that blocks more debris, including small debris such as pine needles. As a result, mesh and micro-mesh gutter guards are the most effective guards. However, they typically require professional installation and are not suited for DIYers.
Mesh and micro-mesh gutter guard companies claim you’ll never have to clean your gutters again. This is a bit of an overstatement—you may still have debris accumulate after a bout of inclement weather. However, you should be able to brush the remaining debris off after the weather has cleared, or you might wait for it to dry up and fall to the ground.
Types of buildup prevented (mesh): Leaves, twigs, branches, pine cones, pine needles, insects, and other pests.
Types of buildup prevented (micro-mesh): Leaves, twigs, branches, pine cones, pine needles, insects, other pests, pollen, and shingle grit.
Recommendation: Mesh and micro-mesh screen guards are our top recommendations for gutter guards. They are good for homeowners with various foliage types and those who care about efficiency and the aesthetic appeal of their home.
Other Factors to Consider
We have listed some of the most significant factors to consider when looking for the right gutter guard for you.
DIY Versus Professional Installation
Depending on your choice of gutter guards, you can elect to do it yourself. Drop-in type guards, such as foam and brush, are the simplest to install. Unfortunately, these guards require the most frequent routine maintenance and cleaning. If you’re looking for the easiest and most efficient system, DIY options will probably come up short.
Higher-quality gutter guards—such as surface tension, mesh, and micro-mesh—are more difficult to install and should be handled by a professional. These types of gutter covers tend to use hidden fasteners that attach your guard to your roof’s fascia, leading to a more durable and secure gutter guard.
Professional gutter guard installation also includes other gutter services, such as installing new gutters, downspouts, and downspout extensions. Additionally, a full-service gutter company is more likely to include a warranty on the materials and the installation.
Materials Used
For a higher-quality gutter guard, we recommend heavy-duty metals. Gutter guards that use plastics are more susceptible to swelling and cracking, while foam gutter guards are susceptible to mold growth and fire hazards from seedlings.
Depending on the gutter guard company, heating elements can be installed within the gutter guard to combat ice dams. This option is available only for guards that use metal materials, and you typically find them in mesh, micro-mesh, and surface tension gutter guards.
- Stainless steel: Popular in micro-mesh and reverse-curve gutter guards, stainless steel is one of the most durable options. It avoids rust, corrosion, expansion, and warping.
- Copper: Cooper offers similar results but is a rarer material. It’s a great option if your home already features copper gutters and you’re looking to preserve the elegant look.
- Aluminum: Aluminum also helps avoid rust and corrosion, but it is not as rugged as stainless steel. Tree branches and pine cones might pierce aluminum guards.
- Plastic: Screen gutter guards are typically available in either plastic or steel. Often plastic is used to create the curve in reverse-curve guards and the frame of guards.
Warranty Included
Gutter guards installed by professional full-service companies will usually come with a warranty that extends 20 years or longer. Many companies also provide transferable lifetime warranties, which are a great option if you plan to sell your home.
Our Recommendations
We recommend you consider the information above to determine which gutter guard is best for you based on your home’s needs. Here are some of our top recommendations for gutter guards:
LeafFilter
Fast Facts:
- Material: Steel micro-mesh
- Warranty Length: Transferable lifetime
- Get a Quick Quote: Visit LeafFilter site
What We Like: LeafFilter offers a three-piece micro-mesh gutter guard system. It utilizes surface tension to pull water through your gutters but push debris off. LeafFilter claims that its design can catch small debris such as pollen and shingle grit. In addition, LeafFilter pitches the gutter cover so that it is flush with your roof. This installation helps the guard appear more visually appealing.
LeafFilter’s micro-mesh guards come in various colors to match your home’s scheme, such as off-white and beige. LeafFilter’s gutter guards cost between $15 and $45 per linear foot for both materials and installation.
Get the Full Scoop: LeafFilter Review
MasterShield
Fast Facts:
- Material: Copper and steel micro-mesh
- Warranty Length: Transferable lifetime
What We Like: MasterShield’s high-quality micro-mesh gutter guards use 99.9% pure copper wires woven into a 316 surgical-grade stainless steel filter. In addition, the company provides its gutter screens in 14 colors to match your roof or existing gutter system, with unique color options like Heritage Blue and Scotch Red.
MasterShield’s guards are pitched with the roof to minimize maintenance and avoid excessive tampering with roof shingles through its patented Shingle-Safe design. The guards also feature an adjustable heating element, MasterShield’s Ice Shield. MasterShield costs around $18 to $21 per linear foot for materials and installation.
All American Gutter Protection
Fast Facts:
- Material: Aluminum micro-mesh
- Warranty Length: Lifetime
- Get a Quick Quote: Visit All American Gutter Protection site
What We Like: All American Gutter Protection provides a 100% aluminum gutter guard to effectively handle temperature changes and severe weather with no warping or bending throughout the year.
All American Gutter Protection offers a Lifetime Performance Guarantee. This guarantee states that the company will remedy any dissatisfaction you experience from its products or labor. All American Gutter Protection costs between $15 and $20 per linear foot for guards and professional installation.
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.