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In this article: Top Gutter Guards | Buying Guide | Conclusion | FAQs | Methodology
Gutter cleaning is a necessary part of homeownership, but it can be tedious and costly. You can invest in gutter guards to save time and the expense of hiring a gutter cleaning service. Gutter guards block debris buildup and clogs in your gutter system, reducing how often your gutters need to be cleaned.
There are many gutter protection systems available, but each offers something different depending on your individual needs. In this guide, we at the Home Media reviews team break down the pros, cons and specifications of the best gutter guards available based on our extensive research.
LeafFilter offers efficient, high-quality gutter guards and a thorough installation process. The company uses 275-micron stainless steel, a durable material that doesn’t easily dent or warp due to sharp temperature changes. It also uses one of the most effective kinds of guards available, micro-mesh, which is so fine that it can catch tiny debris such as pollen and roof shingle grit while maintaining steady water flow.
LeafFilter handles every aspect of the installation process and will provide a detailed quote good for up to a year after performing a free home assessment.
Below are some key benefits and drawbacks of LeafFilter Gutter Protection.
+ Includes a lifetime, transferable warranty
+ Offers additional services for gutter installation and replacement
– Currently facing a lawsuit over misleading marketing
We reached out to LeafFilter about its pending lawsuit and received no comment from the company. Though consumers should be aware of the litigation, the issues outlined in the lawsuit reflect a common complaint across the gutter guards industry. Like all gutter guards, LeafFilter’s products require cleaning. Gutter guards do not eliminate the need for cleaning and maintenance, but they do decrease the frequency in which they’re required. We are confident that most homeowners can expect to have a positive experience with LeafFilter as long as they are aware of this.
*Not available in Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota or South Dakota.
LeafFilter has an A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).* In our analysis of 100 reviews on the company’s BBB profile, we found that most customers appreciated LeafFilter’s professionalism and clear communication. However, some customers had issues with the gutter guards’ performance during heavy downpours or misunderstood that gutter guards don’t eliminate the need for gutter cleaning and maintenance.
*BBB information is accurate as of June 2022.
Get a quote: Fill out this quick form .
HomeCraft Gutter Protection offers micro-mesh gutter guards with marine-grade stainless steel and a unique diamond-raised technology. This diamond design helps easily catch and push off large, flat debris such as maple or oak leaves.
In addition to this high-quality guard, HomeCraft includes a lifetime transferable warranty. A transferable warranty for your gutter guard system helps increase your home’s value. Like LeafFilter, HomeCraft stands by its quotes for one year.
Here are some important pros and cons for HomeCraft Gutter Protection.
+ Uses patented diamond-raised technology to combat large leaves
+ Includes a transferable lifetime warranty
*Available in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.
HomeCraft has a B rating and accreditation on the BBB*. We analyzed 85 reviews on the company’s profile. Critical reviews mention aggressive sales tactics and confusion about initial pricing. Positive reviews praise the company’s fast installation process and personable team members.
*BBB information is accurate as of June 2022.
Get a quote: Fill out this quick form .
All American Gutter Protection offers additional ways to save with regularly updated discounts and deals posted on its website. Current offerings include senior discounts, military discounts, a 20% coupon and $300 off an entire home installation.
The company’s micro-mesh gutter guard uses an aluminum frame with a stainless steel micro-mesh cover. This design makes it easy for All American to install its guards on standard gutter sizes. This material also prevents the gutter guard from bending, warping or getting dented by falling debris.
Read some of All American Gutter Protection’s benefits and drawbacks below.
+ Offers ongoing discounts on its website
+ Handles sharp weather and temperature changes well
All American Gutter Protection has an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB.* Throughout the company’s 66 reviews on the site, customers praised the quality and value of the company’s gutter guards. Reviewers were also satisfied with how knowledgeable and friendly the staff is. Critical reviews mention difficulties scheduling inspections, repairs and installations.
*BBB information is accurate as of June 2022.
Get a quote: Fill out this quick form .
Amerimax Home Products (AHP) offers a variety of gutter protection systems. The company’s two DIY micro-mesh gutter guards — the Leaf Guard and Snap-In — are excellent choices for homeowners who want to handle the installation themselves. Both are quick, affordable and highly effective. The guards are compatible with 4, 5 or 6-inch K-Style Gutters.
Amerimax also offers a selection of screen gutter guards, but these aren’t as effective as the company’s micro-mesh guards or reverse-curve Hoover Dam Gutter Guard. The Hoover Dam Gutter Guard uses an all-steel body and surface tension to keep heavy rainfall flowing into your gutters while allowing any accumulated debris to blow away once dry. This guard is easy to install — you simply screw it into your gutter system — and requires minimal upkeep. Amerimax also includes a 10-year warranty on its micro-mesh guards and a 15-year warranty on its Hoover Dam Gutter Guard.
Below are some of the pros and cons of using Amerimax Home Products.
+ Has a simple installation process
+ Includes warranties on its products
+ Offers gutter guards in neutral colors to easily blend in with your home
– Must be bought in predetermined package sizes
– Customer reviews mention sizes not always matching the product description
Because Amerimax Home Products is simply a manufacturer and not a professional gutter guard service, we analyzed the 100 most recent customer reviews on Amazon for its 25-count pack of Snap-in Filter 3-inch gutter guards. Only 16% of these reviews were negative, with most focusing on the gutter guards’ poor performance in persistent snow and ice. Other customers complained about receiving a different size of guards than advertised. The majority of reviews praised Amerimax’s guards as a low-cost, easy-to-install solution to gutter cleaning and maintenance.
Gutterglove’s micro-mesh gutter guard is ideal for combating pine needles and other small debris, as it uses a fine micro-mesh that keeps out insects, shingle grit, pollen and more. The guards are made of aluminum and stainless steel to withstand the elements over the years.
Gutterglove provides both DIY gutter guards and a professional installation service, DoneRight by Gutterglove. With this service, Gutterglove will connect you with its network of certified contractors. These contractors will tailor your gutter guard system for high-demand environments, such as those with dense tree coverage, heavy snowfall or lots of debris. Gutterglove’s DIY products are available through major retailers such as Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Costco and Sam’s Club.
Here are the upsides and downsides of using Gutterglove for your gutter protection system.
+ Offers both DIY and professional gutter guard installations
+ Provides finely woven micro-mesh guards ideal for pine needles and small debris
+ Includes a 40-year limited parts warranty
– Prices run higher than other DIY gutter guard options
– Customer reviews mention heavy downpour resulting in overspill
We analyzed the 24 available Amazon customer reviews for Gutterglove’s 10-count pack of 4-foot-long, 5-inch-wide Stainless Steel Micro-Mesh Gutter Guards. There was only one negative review, which mentioned rainwater spilling over during a heavy downpour. The rest of the reviews applauded Gutterglove’s quality and use of strong adhesive rather than screws for installation.
Raptor by Gutterglove offers an extensive customer support network reachable by phone, email and online chat. Raptor also makes gutter guard installation accessible by providing online resources on its website, such as step-by-step guides on measuring your gutters and installing its guards. Based on our customer review analysis, homeowners found the instructions included with Raptor’s products easy to understand.
The company’s micro-mesh gutter guards have more than 900 holes and are made from 100% recycled aluminum and stainless steel. They’re manufactured to fit standard gutter sizes and are sold in 4-foot sections.
We have listed some of the upsides and downsides of Raptor by Gutterglove below.
+ Includes self-tapping screws for easy installation
+ Provides detailed instruction manuals and online resources
– Prices run higher than other DIY gutter guard options
– Customer reviews mention receiving different sizes than advertised
We reached out to Raptor to comment on these cons, and the company stated that its prices vary per kit size. It also shared that it only offers two versions of its gutter guards. Its two options are the Standard 5″ which measures 5.5 inch and can fit gutters between 2.5 inches to 5 inch wide and the Super 6″, which measures 7.25 inch which fits gutters that are above 5 inches to 7 inches wide.
Based on the 100 most recent Amazon reviews for Raptor’s box of 48-foot, 5-inch stainless steel micro-mesh gutters, 88% of customers had a positive experience with the company’s product. Most reviews praise Raptor for its easy-to-understand installation guides and the quality of its gutter guards. The few critical reviews mention receiving a different size gutter guard than advertised.
If you’re searching for a quick, affordable solution for gutter protection, we recommend Thermwell’s Frost King gutter guard. This is a plastic mesh gutter guard that comes in 20-foot rolls. You can roll out the guard to your desired length and simply cut it with scissors.
This guard is not the most effective or efficient, but it provides fast results if you need gutter protection quickly. Because the guard is plastic, it won’t rust or corrode. Thermwell’s Frost King is available at big-box home improvement stores such as Home Depot and Lowe’s.
Here are some perks and disadvantages of Thermwell’s mesh gutter guard.
+ Comes in easy-to-measure 20-foot rolls
+ Has an easy installation process
+ Costs only a few dollars per roll
– Not the best long-term solution
– Not as efficient as micro-mesh or reverse-curve gutter guards
The 100 most recent Amazon reviews for Thermwell’s 20-foot roll of Frost King gutter guards are relatively mixed, with roughly 43% of the reviews being two or fewer stars. Critical reviews call the product’s quality poor and say it’s challenging to keep the guards inside a gutter system because they’re not as stiff as other guards. Positive reviews praise how affordable and easy to use Frost King’s guard is. Based on these findings, we recommend using Thermwell’s Frost King as a quick fix if you don’t have heavy conditions, such as a lot of tree coverage.
There are many factors to consider when selecting a type of gutter guard and installing a gutter guard system. We’ve broken down the biggest factors below.
The type of gutter guard you pick dramatically influences the efficiency and quality of your gutter protection system. Here are the five most popular types of gutter guards, including their pros and cons.
When shopping for gutter guards, it’s crucial to ask yourself whether you want professional or DIY installation. Professional installation costs more, but the gutter guards offered are typically better quality, more durable, and longer-lasting. Professional gutter guards also often include workmanship warranties or additional repair and cleaning guarantees.
A DIY gutter guard is more cost-effective if you’re willing to do the installation yourself. These products have a simple installation method, such as snap-in designs or adhesive strips. However, DIY gutter guards use lower-quality materials and have more limited warranties.
Gutter guard warranties add security to your investment, but you should pay attention to any limitations and exclusions. For example, tampering with or changing your gutter protection system will typically void the warranty. You’ll also want to note if the warranty covers repairs and replacement only or if it also includes cleaning services. If you have a roof warranty, check how the gutter guard service you’re interested in addresses those.
We recommend LeafFilter as one of the best professional gutter guard providers. The company provides high-quality, micro-mesh gutter guards backed by a comprehensive transferable lifetime warranty. LeafFilter also ensures your gutter system is in top-notch condition before installing its gutter guard.
If you want to combat large leaves or experience dense tree coverage, consider HomeCraft Gutter Protection . Or, if savings and discounts are your priority, look into All American Gutter Protection .
We encourage you to get at least three quotes from gutter guard providers near your home to compare services, product specifications and pricing. Use our tool below to schedule estimates from our top recommendations quickly.
The only downside to gutter guards is that some gutter guards may dent or warp due to their material. We recommend finding a gutter guard made from aluminum or steel to avoid this.
Considering the time and cost routine gutter maintenance would otherwise take, LeafFilter is worth the money.
Gutter guards last 10 to 20 years, depending on how well you take care of them and whether or not they get damaged by inclement weather.
You should clean your gutter system once every one to two years when you have gutter guards. Though gutter guards make gutter cleaning minimal, some debris may accumulate in hard-to-reach areas.
The Home Media reviews team aims to provide thorough, factual reviews by researching consumers’ primary concerns and ranking gutter guard companies on objective, relevant factors.
Based on hundreds of hours of research, we evaluated gutter guard providers on the following factors and scored them on a 100-point scale. We then divided the total points earned on a 5-point scale. Note that DIY gutter guard companies received a reduced point value in some categories since they provide products but do not offer professional installation and gutter repair services.
During our research process, we secret-shopped each company to obtain unbiased quotes and learn about pricing, payment options, product specifications and additional benefits. We also spoke to customer service representatives over the phone, asking questions to gauge their knowledge and helpfulness. We repeated this process online for applicable providers to get a sense of the digital shopping experience.
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