Fall is here, and so are the serene and aesthetic leaf falls, the soothing breeze that is second to the touch of a lover, the soul capturing sunsets and the occasional rainfall.
Gutter guards are your partner in fall (the season). These guards will trap the leaves, branches, and all the dirt and keep your gutters running so you can enjoy the autumn without disturbing your cappuccinos.
In this article, we have carefully prepared the list of the best gutter guards you can find for your home and keep yourself away from the troubles of cleaning it every single time.
In addition to a list of the best products, we have also penned down almost every single thing you will need to know before you can buy a gutter guard.
So let us not waste any more time and head on straight to the real stuff; the reviews of the best and the worst.
Oh wait, they are all the best gutter guards of 2020.
- Quick Comparison of the Best Gutter Guards 2020
- 1. Raptor Stainless Steel
- 2. GutterBrush
- 3. FlexxPoint 30
- 4. Ultra Flo
- 5. EZ Gutter
- 6. GUTTERSTUFF
- 7. Raptor Stainless Steel
- 8. The Wedge Downspout
- 9. Gutter Guard Strainer 3-Inch
- 10. Gutter Pro Foam
- A Guide to buy the Best Gutter Guard
- What are Gutter Guards Used For?
- Types of Gutter Guards
- Guarantee, Warranty and Sales Policy
- How to Install Gutter Guards
- How can Gutter Guards Save Money?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Verdict
Quick Comparison of the Best Gutter Guards 2020
Image | Product | Gutter Guard Type | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Raptor Stainless Steel | Micro Mesh Gutter Guard | Check Price | |
Gutter Brush | Brush Gutter Guard | Check Price | |
FlexxPoint 30 | Mesh Screen Gutter Guard | Check Price | |
Ultra Flo | Mesh Screen Gutter Guard | Check Price | |
EZ Gutter | Reverse Curve Gutter Guard | Check Price |
1. Raptor Stainless Steel
The Raptor gutter guards are considered to be the best in the game when it comes to picking out the top gutter guards of 2020. This is of the micro mesh type that only allows water through and restrains all sorts of debris and dirt that can later clog up and damage your gutters and, eventually, your house.
Pros
- Easy Installation
- Durable Stainless Steel Body
- Very Effective
- Best Gutter Guard for Pine Needles
- Superfine micro-mesh
Cons
- Steel can acquire rust over time
- Water can pass over it when heavy rain falls
- Not easily modifiable
2. GutterBrush
GutterBrush is one of the oldest companies we have here in our list of the most effective and the top one can find. GutterBrush focuses on just one product they produce, and we can tell you they are doing it right because they are second in our list.
These bristles are enforced with double U.V. protection, which makes them resistant to drastic and extreme changes in the temperature and makes them last longer than most of the gutter guards we have.
Read More: GutterBrush Leaf Guard
Pros
- Easy to install
- Lifetime warranty
- Easy modification
- Durable and resistant in extreme climatic conditions
- Available in different sizes
- Works with all types of gutters
Cons
- One of the most expensive guardsSteel core can rust over time
- Smaller and finer objects can pass through
- Requires cleaning over time
3. FlexxPoint 30
Just like our previous manufacturers, FlexxPoint is also a small company that also specializes in the production of a single product; gutter guard, in this case. And again, their focus is the very thing that has made this product one of the very best in the market.
Pros
- One of the least expensive gutter guard on the list
- Lightweight and durable aluminum
- Effective functioning
- Somewhat easy to modify
Cons
- Not for types of gutters
- Let’s some of the debris flow through
- Installation might require assistance
4. Ultra Flo
Gutter guards are more like a jail that only lets the water go through and restrains all the other leaves and debris. And what good a jail be if someone who is unauthorized can get past it.
Read More: Best Leaf Guard Gutters for Your Home
Pros
- Easy to install with the snap locks
- Friendly for budget buyers
- Extremely durable
- Have five different screen arrangements
- Can be modified for nonstandard types
Cons
- Only sold in sets of 100.
- Installation is time-consuming
- Very likely to rust over time
5. EZ Gutter
The older gutter guards can give a shabby look to your house or property in this era where the aesthetics are the prime feature of selling.
The meshes or the screens can seem superannuated to quite a degree. E-Z has the solution for you. As the name of the manufacturer suggests, they specialize only in the production of gutter guards.
Read More: E-Z GUTTER GUARD
Pros
- Light in weight
- Black paint enhances the melting of ice
- Sturdy and heavy-duty
- Easy to install
- Works well for leaves and even pine needles
Cons
- Needs occasional maintenance
- A small amount of debris can pass through
6. GUTTERSTUFF
JTM Innovations is a brand that specializes in the production of gutter guards and offers quite innovative solutions for several problems. JTM Innovations are the parent company of GUTTERSTUFFZ, and this E.Z. gutter guard is a product of theirs that you should not miss on.
Pros
- Extremely easy to install
- Germicide coating
- Resistant to U.V.
- Easy to modify
- Handles cold climate than most of the gutter guards
Cons
- Fairly expensive
- Foam is not the most durable material
7. Raptor Stainless Steel
Raptors are my all-time favorite dinosaurs, but sadly they do not exist anymore. Apparently, they are extinct because of one mighty meteor. However, this Raptor is still very much in business with its stainless steel gutter guard that has managed to achieve 7th position in our list of the best gutter guards.
Pros
- Efficient
- Durable
- Can be tailored
- Keeps most of the dirt and rubble away
Cons
- Installation is tricky
- Pricey
8. The Wedge Downspout
This is one of the most unique and innovative products we have here on our list. This gutter guard has a wedge shape that aids in the flow of water.
As the name suggests, these are to be placed on the downspouts in the gutters. The wedged design assists the flow of water down the gutter into the downspout and also filters out the leaves as well.
These can fit almost any type and size of the downspout and are very effective in their function as well; that is capturing the leaves flowing around with water. However, things get tricky from this point onwards.
Pros
- Cost-efficient
- Traps out the leaves
- Effective water flow
- Easy setup and installation
- Smart design
Cons
- Plastic is not as durable as other materials
- Does not trap the debris and dirt
9. Gutter Guard Strainer 3-Inch
Doing things by the book is so 2010. Things have changed so much, and people are not all invested in cheeky and simpler innovations. One of these is cheeky amendments in an already cheeky design is this aluminum filter strainer.
This one is more like an inverted bowl made from an aluminum mesh. This bowl or rather a ‘glass’ can simply be put over a downspout. The major and the essential function of this gutter guard is to block the entry of leaves and filter them out.
Pros
- Affordable
- Effectively traps leaves
- Extremely easy to install
- Sturdy mesh
Cons
- Smaller particles can pass through
- Maintenance will still be required
- Prone to rusting
10. Gutter Pro Foam
Gutter Pro is another brand that specializes in the production of gutter guards and has made quite a name for itself in a very short span of time.
The installation of this gutter guard is profoundly simple because it only needs to be inserted in the gutter. All you will need for installing this gutter guard is a ladder because it does not have any complex setups or need any specialized tool or a specialist.
Read More: GutterStuff Foam Gutter Filter
Pros
- Extremely easy to install
- Resistant to U.V.
- Easy to modify
- Handles cold climate than most of the gutter guards
Cons
- Fairly expensive
- Foam is not the most durable material
- No germicidal coating
A Guide to buy the Best Gutter Guard
Fall is the season for lovers. It has all the elements that can help it attain perfection: the cold yet vibrant sunsets, the dew on the flowers, the seducing morning breeze, leaves clapping and waving midair.
However, as a side effect or the byproduct of this amazingness, there are some relatively minor inconveniences as well that are brought to you by fall, in an association with Mother Nature.
Fall is called ‘fall’ because it is the season in which leaves fall. These falling leaves, however, cannot decide for themselves where they have to fall. As a result of this, they often land on our roofs or slip down the roofs to the gutters with rainwater as their aide.
Along with these leaves, there are also broken branches, dirt, and even debris as well. All of these accumulate in the gutter to choke it and provide you with a clogged gutter.
The number of times you will have to clean these gutters will almost double in fall, and to prevent yourself from repeating such a tedious task, you can install gutter guards for keeping your gutters clean.
Read More: Gutter Guards for Commercial Buildings
What are Gutter Guards Used For?
Gutters are made for allowing the rainwater or melted snow flow freely through and straight into the gutters. However, leaves, twigs, branches, dirt, and other debris from fall can accumulate in these gutters and obstruct the flow of water.
In this case, one will have to clean this gutter manually. This cleaning is extremely monotonous and also dangerous to a certain extent, which can even result in death. It sounds pretty scary, and we promise you it is even scarier.
You can use different methods for cleaning these gutters, but we have this one proverb that is exceptionally sound and profound, ‘prevention is better than cure,’ and I believe it is something that is really handy.
Because instead of going for cleaning these gutters again and again, why do we not simply try that this does not happen at all? This is what gutter guards are for: to prevent your gutters from clogging with all the dead of the fall and allow the water to run freely.
Types of Gutter Guards
These gutter guards come in different shapes and types in terms of their design and mesh, of which each has its own benefits and drawbacks.
1. Gutter Brush
This design is one of the most inexpensive designs and also the one that can be installed easily. The gutter brush design is also known as the bottle brush design and has the shape that resembles a brush with a lot of bristles inserted in the gutter.
Furthermore, the lightweight debris is swept away by the wind, so it does not require that much of the maintenance or care either.
These are the guards that are the easiest to install. All they have is a body made up of fibers or bristles that act as filters for the water and keep the leaves and all the other debris trapped and allows the water to pass through.
These guards have a universal size that fits all of the gutters and is simple, too, when it comes to its installation. All you have to do is to place the guard in the gutter, and that is it. There is no need to tie it with the clamps or screws.
The drawback of these guards is that you have to clean them manually because there is no outlet for the leaves and the debris to pass through.
2. Foam Gutter Guards
These are the foam-filled and have pores and sieves that allow the water to flow through easily.
In addition to this, the foam also prevents and minimizes the growth of fungus and molds as well, which is a very positive plus point.
However, these foams often end up soaking much of this water instead of letting it through, and it also needs to be cleaned thoroughly at times to remove the debris.
3. Mesh Gutter Guard
Mesh gutter guards are one of the most common types that are to be found and the one that most people tend to go for.
These guards fit under the roof and have a mesh that is made up of stainless steel, while the frame on which this mesh is attached is made of aluminum.
This mesh is so fine that it even restrains the entry of sand and dirt into the gutter and is, therefore, the best to be used if you are looking for something that can help you reuse and store the water.
4. Nylon Gutter Guards
Nylon guards are something of a winter season gutter guard. They are not to be attached to the shingles of your roof and, therefore, can slip easily into your gutters.
These are the ones that are perfect for and against keeping your gutters free from ice and snow. And because these guards, made up of nylon, are not bound to the shingles of your roof, they give more room to the water for entering and flowing through.
Read More: LeafTek Gutter Guard Leaf Protection
5. Reverse Curve
Reverse curve type of the gutter guards uses the natural slope of the roof to allow the leaves and all the dirt to flow down via the side slots and the solid covering.
These guards are also referred to as the surface tension guards because these lets the water flow over them instead of going through or under it.
6. Non-Gutter Covers
These non-gutter covers are also known as the louvered gutter guards. These are thin aluminum louvers that channel water down the roof with unmatchable efficiency. These look very much like the blinds of a window and are perfect for the ones who want to keep the aesthetics alive. The louvers are angled in such a way that they deflect the water away.
Read More: A-M Aluminum Gutter Guard
7. Water and Air Flow
This is one of the most important and crucial things that one will have to consider while buying a gutter guard for their gutters.
It is essential to consider this one because the water will be homing for mosquitos, flies, and other insects and pests that can cause disease to a great degree. This stagnant water can also result in leakages or even providing a home to algae and eventually start smelling too.
And if the sieve or the pores are too fine, they will not even let the water filter through, which will result in the water sliding away.
This can result in seepage and formation of ice as well that can damage the structure of your house as well.
Guarantee, Warranty and Sales Policy
Gutter guards are usually sold in terms of sections. So, when you are to buy gutter guards for your home, make sure that you have read the manufacturer’s guarantee and warranty policy.
The basic purpose of the gutter guards is to reduce the maintenance of your gutters and doing most of the work by themselves. Always tend to go for the manufacturers that provide better warranty and guarantee for their products instead of the ones that provide almost no added services.
In addition to this, if these guards do not do their said function or turn out to be troublesome, you should always reach out to the manufacturer for return or repair because you are the consumer and have paid for the good.
How to Install Gutter Guards
Once you have bought the guards for your gutters, it is time to install them. This is a mechanized era, and most, if not everything, is prone to mechanization and digitalization.
Machines are here to make things easier for humans, and in this process of hit and try, the gutter guards have been a victim too.
The amount of effort one needs to put in or the ease and the efficiency of the installation of these guards vary as per the manufacturer’s ideas and models.
Therefore it is necessary that one should carefully review how these guards are to be installed over your gutters for minimized clogging and maintenance.
One can install the gutter guard themselves, but if the installation is to be done at trickier places or it has to be done at higher places, we would recommend you to hire a professional that can do that fitting and installation for you.
Even though these gutter guards come with an installation manual that dictates all steps and procedures, you would need to fix all the guards, but we will still recommend you to consult a professional or even hire one before trying it for yourself.
Read More: Aluminum Filter Strainer by Massa
How can Gutter Guards Save Money?
The intensity and the frequency of the debris that falls into the gutters increase exponentially in fall, which makes these gutters clog and jam.
After the installation of these guards for your gutters, the need for cleaning your gutters and hiring professionals several times a year for this cleaning reduces substantially and only needs to be cleaned once or twice a year.
This also reduces the risks of you falling or tripping off the ladder and catching injuries. Over a hundred thousand people are reported to sustain severe injuries after falling off the stairs every year. Therefore, gutter guards definitely save you money.
Frequently Asked Questions
⭐ What is a gutter guard?
A gutter guard is the covering for your gutters that can keep the gutters free from all the debris and prevent clogging and blocking of the gutters. Gutter guards are meant to reduce the monetary and labor cost of cleaning your gutters.
These either trap the debris or block or prevent it from entering the gutter. This prevents the gutters from choking and consequently lets the water flow without any obstruction.
⭐ Which type of gutter guard is the easiest to install?
The brush type of gutter guards is considered to be the easiest one when it comes to the installation of these guards. These guards for your gutters are not to be screwed, bolted, or tied with anything.
These are to be simply placed in the gutter, and the rest is their work.
⭐ Do I have to clean my gutter guards
Gutter guards are made to reduce and minimize human efforts and time when cleaning the gutters. This cleaning needs to be done quite a number of times, especially in the fall season, when it comes to the unprotected gutters.
However, once you have installed a gutter guard for your gutter, things are very much simpler and easier. These gutter guards either trap the dirt, debris, and the fallen leaves or prevent their entry at all.
This process makes the cleaning easier because you are simply supposed to remove some of the debris.
⭐ How many basic types of gutter guards are there?
There are six basic types of gutter guards: the brush guard, the foam guard, the reverse curve guard, the nylon, the mesh, and the non-gutter curves.
⭐ Which type of gutter guard should I buy?
The type of gutter guard you will need is something that will be based on the requirements and the location of your house. For example, if you live in a snowy or colder area, then you will need a nylon gutter guard because it prevents the formation of icicles.
The mesh or the screen gutter guards are the ones that one could call to be the most common or the bestselling one.
These are the guards that have the ability to filter the water that passes through it and also sufficiently reduces the number of cleanup or the checkups per annum because it almost does not let anything pass through except for water.
This makes it one of the best picks for the people that are into storing the rainwater.
On the other hand, the foam gutter guard and the brush guard are considered to be the budget buys because of the low cost for installation and low principle amount for buying them as well.
So the choice is totally up to your preferences and all on your discretion.
⭐ Are gutter guards a good idea?
It does not promise foolproof protection against all types of debris all-around the clock but rather simply states that they reduce or minimize the concentration and the amount of the debris that flows through into the gutters and ends up choking them.
They are not some invincible magic spells from Harry Potter that will simply make these guards immortal and perfect, but rather they just provide protection against the incoming debris.
It does block most of the debris as the manufacturing companies’ state, but the ironic part is where these gutters need to be cleaned out as well.
However, these gutter guards are much simpler, less time taking, and much easier to be cleaned instead of cleaning the entire gutters themselves.
⭐ Can you install gutter guards on the already existing gutters?
Gutter guards can easily be installed over the already existing gutters. These guards come in sizes that are universal for the sizes of gutters, and thus, therefore they simply fit in.
However, in some complex cases, you will need the assistance and the guidance of a professional for the purpose of installation.
Most of the manufacturing companies are producing the gutter guards in various different sizes that can fit almost any other gutter as well.
⭐ Can open gutters cause problems?
Open gutters are nothing but open drain pipes that provide a smooth passage for the water to flow through. However, just as these drain gutters are able to provide a passage for water, these passages can also offer a house for the debris, dust, sand, leaves, and branches. This debris can get accumulated and amalgamate to result in a clogged pipe.
⭐ What will happen if the gutter drains get jammed and clogged?
Clogged gutters are caused because of the hoarding of the debris in the gutters. This debris can obstruct the usually normal and smooth flow of water and make it slip down the drain on to the roof.
This water can then seep into the ceiling and damage the paint and the structure of the ceiling as well. In simpler terms, this water can damage the ceiling and the roof with leakages.
⭐ What is the flashing of the roofs and gutters?
Flashing of the roofs is adding another layer of material that can help you avoid and resist the water that seeps into the roof. This extra material is usually the stainless steel or zinc or nickel.
⭐ Why do people not prefer the sponge or foam type of gutter guards?
Even though the sponge or the foam type of the gutter guards are among the most inexpensive ones in the list, but despite the financial, tactical advantage, these are the type of gutter guards that are the least preferred ones.
This is because rather than letting the water pass through freely, these foams actually end up absorbing the water. This moisture can comfortably house different types of moss, molds, and fungus and even be a housing facility for the mosquitos, flies, and other insects or pests as well.
The stored moisture also makes the cleaning an issue, which again is the very reason for installing these.
Final Verdict
Gutter guards are the best-known solution we have for protecting your gutters from clogging because of the jamming of debris and leaves in these gutters. These guards have different shapes and types and can be used as per the needs.
We have provided you with a list of the top and the very best gutter guards that can help you with the cleaning and reduce your working effort by several times. We have added the detailed gutter guard reviews of 2020 for all these best gutter guards that you can use for your property.
In addition to the fully detailed reviews, we have also added the buyer’s guide that contains and covers all the possible questions one can have about the gutter guards and have even added the types and every possible detail that will help you choose the best gutter guards for the property.
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