Pros and Cons to the Different Types of Gutter Guards

Your gutters in your home are very important and they can become clogged with all of the debris from trees and other items. That is why having a gutter guard is a good idea. Below are some of the common types of gutter guards and their advantages and disadvantages.

Foam

These types of gutter guards are long sections of arch-shaped or dense triangular foam made to fit in your gutters. The foam lets water go through it to go into your gutter yet blocks debris like flowers, twigs and leaves from going into your gutters.

• Advantages – It’s simply to install, because you just have to put the pieces into your gutters.
• Disadvantages – You have to purchase the foam that is triangle shaped to fit the gutters of your home. debris from the roof can go onto the surface of your foam and slow your water down. The foam often disintegrates and may only last a couple years before it needs replacing.

Cost – Ranges from $1.56 – $3.12 each foot

Mesh

These types of gutter guards are made of mesh and they cover your whole gutter opening when they’re inserted under your gutter lip and shine edge. They are secured to the gutter using screws. Some of these guards have holes that are small enough to keep pine needles and maple helicopters out while letting water to go freely through.

• Advantages – Simple to install and keeps leaves out. Will fit most of the gutters and you can’t see them when you’re standing on the ground.
• Disadvantages – Mesh guards with large holes often become clogged with tree castoffs such as oak catkins.

Cost – Ranges from .25 – $3.07 each foot.

Screen

These types of gutter guards are available in galvanized steel, aluminum and vinyl. They let really heavy rain to go into your gutters and keep leaves out effectively.

• Advantages – The majority of these types of guards for your gutter are pretty strong. Some of them are coated with powder and snap easily into your gutter without using attachment screws or supporting arches. Once they’re installed these types of gutter guards are able to be removed so that you can clean up the smaller debris which still could build up.
• Disadvantages – They can often let smaller debris, such as twigs, leaf stems, maple helicopters and pine needles to get into your gutter or collect over your gutter screen.

Cost – Ranges from .76 – $2.50 each foot.

Whiskers

These types of gutter guards look like the whisker filters that go in your gutter. They’re made to prevent pine needles, acorns, leaves and various other types of debris from making your gutters clogged. But they’re also great at stopping rats, squirrels and mice from nesting or getting into your gutters.

• Advantages – Easily installed, just put it into your gutter.
• Disadvantages – Unsightly bristles may be visible. May trap some debris.

Cost – Ranges from $3.10 – $3.99 each foot.

Reverse Curve

These are solid covers and they direct the water so that it goes over an edge that is curved in a tiny slit and gravity forces the other debris from the roof to fall.

• Advantages – The ones that are best will require a minimum amount of maintenance and they’re very effective at keeping the debris out.
• Disadvantages – Might encourage issues with water collection when heavy storms come.

Cost – $5.25 each foot.

These are some of the gutter guards that you can choose from and what they have to offer. Think about your budget and what you want. Then choose the one that is best for you.

About Gulf Coast Exteriors

GCE Gutters is a residential and commercial gutter service committed to providing professional quality service at a competitively low prices in Fort Myers and Cape Coral Florida. Let GCE Gutters show you how we are becoming the area’s finest gutter cleaning, repair and installation company in Lee County.