The warranty also guarantees that the gutters will never clog again. Homeowners need to weigh these factors to find the best solution for their home’s gutter system. All complaints filed with the BBB have been addressed by LeafFilter, so customers can rest assured that the company will provide necessary support and follow through if the warranty kicks in. Cost is a very important factor for most buyers. They have over 400 active installers and have been installed on over 150,000 homes. Each of their designs uses a stainless steel mesh screen with a raised “S” pattern that helps prevent debris from sticking to the guard while intaking water more quickly. For this reason, we recommend RHINO as the Best Gutter Guard for Pine Needles and Small Debris. Gutter Guard [6 Pack] Leaf Filter Gutter Strainer & Downspout Guard - Better Than Roof Gutter Screen - Mesh Leaf Guards with Up to 4in Diameter - Gutter Drain Cover & Gutter Down Spout Rain Protector 4.5 out of 5 stars 104. For readers who are knowledgeable, here is a list of the best gutter guards: Gutter guards are covers or devices that attach to a home’s storm or rain gutter system to filter and block leaves, debris, and animals from entering the gutter system and causing clogs, floods, or damage. Surface tension/reverse curve gutter guards: These products are usually installed by professionals and tend to be efficient because they move rainwater down. Brush style guards are one of the lowest-cost options on the market. RHINO makes one of the most effective and durable gutter guards on the market. It is designed to rest inside of the gutter, block debris, and allow water to pass through its bristles. While Valor is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau, they are one of the most respected and popular gutter guard companies in the United States. When gutter guards are built from aluminum or steel—as most micro-mesh guards are—and screwed onto the gutter system, they can add structural support to the gutters, making them more durable and less likely to fail under the weight of snow, ice, or animals crawling across them. Most of these gutter guards are professionally installed. Gutter guards that use steel over aluminum or other materials tend to be more expensive but last longer. The next factor for homeowners to consider is the type of guard they want. There is always someone climbing up a ladder to check on the gutters. They completely cover the top of the eavestrough and then curve back toward the house, creating a long horizontal slot that leads back into the gutter. Because of this, RHINO guards must be professionally installed. • Some brands are available in a handful of colors, including white, almond, and gray. They can also be cut at an angle to fit corner sections. By applying the principle of surface tension, these features help ensure that rainwater sticks to the gutter guard’s surface as it flows downward. Using this style of guard could also void any roof warranty or violate restrictions set by the homeowners’ association of the community, if there is one. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. For the most part, the style of guard will determine which materials are available options because some materials are specific to certain types of guard. Especially in windy areas, most dry debris landing on the gutter guards will be blown away before creating this risky situation. great info, glad I came across it! Because of this, brands that produce guards that screw in place usually require or recommend professional installation. The best innovations in the gutter guard industry have occurred only just recently; micro-mesh gutter guards have proven to be the best advancement yet. Even animals—like cats, raccoons, or opossums—crawling across the top of the gutters on the guards can knock them loose or cause them to crack or warp. This type of gutter guard has hinge components built in that are meant to be clipped or screwed onto the gutters or fascia. Now you’ve got landscaping damage occurring or water getting down near your foundation. Arrow's Innovative Design. They can be found at Home Depot, Lowe’s, Costco, Menard’s, and online at Amazon. The front lip of the guard is designed to be screwed into the gutters while the back edge is bent upward so it can be screwed directly into the fascia, and doesn’t require lifting the home’s shingles for installation. Decreased Maintenance – Since gutter guards prevent debris from entering the gutter system, they decrease the amount of time and frequency that homeowners need to clean them. LeafFilter is a fantastic blend of quality, durability, and reputability make it a top option for homes in any climate. Because plastic and vinyl are not as strong as aluminum or steel, they do not make great substitutes as structural elements of gutter guards. By flawlessly channeling debris away from your gutters through the reliable principle of surface tension, Gutter Helmet allows your gutters to do their job unimpeded – … 6. The durability of the gutter guard will depend a lot on the material it is made from. In fact, depending on how snugly the guards snap into place, they may not be very secure at all. Gutter Helmet®, the country’s number one gutter protection system, employs this to full effect, earning great results. Homeowners have a wide variety of options when choosing gutter guards and have many factors to consider. In any case, gutter guards require some form of installation, which will cost the homeowner time, energy, money, or all three. Reverse curve/Surface tension. Reverse curve surface tension gutter guards use this principle to conduct water into the eavestroughs. 3. Meanwhile, leaves and other debris are deflected from the top of the gutter guard. If you install surface-tension guards on gutters that are mounted high on the fascia, they will cause debris dams and allow more junk inside the gutter. Arrow Gutter Guard’s V-cut enhancement breaks surface tension to ensure the highest amount of rain collection, while simultaneously creating lift for shedding debris more effectively. It is a great option for homeowners in locations with extreme weather conditions, and buyers can expect steel gutter guards to last 10 to 20 years, if not much longer. Additionally, adding gutter guards can actually strengthen the gutter system, making the gutters better able to support the weight of ice if it does accumulate on top of them. These guards are better options than foam or brush guards. Valor guards are not available in online retail shops or local hardware stores. In fact, the underside of the curve tends to become dirty over time. 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