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Best gutter guards can be a great addition to your home, preventing expensive damages associated with clogged gutters, and the dangerous task of gutter cleaning! However, the key word is ‘best’ it is important to note that not all gutter guards are created equal. Before you invest in gutter guards or any other major home improvement product, it is important to do your research. Here are some top gutter guard reviews and thing to consider while searching for the best gutter guards on the market.
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Benefits of Best Gutter Guards System
Before we start talking about several gutter guard reviews, let’s elaborately discuss about benefits of gutter guards. Gutter guards not only stop leaves which are full sized from coming into the gutter. They also stop tiny buds as well as seed pods or even ever need evergreen needles. They prevent rodents and birds from building nests.
Gutter guards are a necessity as we consider several factors. Well gutter cleaning is made much easier when you have best gutter guards. With a busy schedule or inexperience and/or old age, one may find it quite hard to go onto the roof and clean the gutters. At the same time clogged gutters could damage the roof and the building as well, therefore these need to be cleaned regularly. Having a person come and clean these gutters on regular basis is not a viable option for all households, particularly the ones with a low budget, at all times and therefore, the installation of gutter guards are the best choice. These can be used for gutters which already exist.
They prevent stagnant water build up in gutters. Gutter guards will prevent gutters from premature rot and rust since debris and moisture do not sit in them. It also helps with rain water harvesting as the water can flow down in a better way and there are no contaminants. The heated gutter guards also melt snow, ice dams as well as icicles.
Our Expert Rating (Updated 2018)
Category | Comapny | Rating | Shop Gutter Guards |
---|---|---|---|
Best Mesh Gutter Guards | LeafsOut | 4.3 | Check Current Price |
Mesh Gutter Guards | E-Z-GUTTER GUARD | 4.5 | Check Current Price |
Best Metal Screens | EasyOn | 4 | Check Current Price |
Best Plastic screens | Amerimax | 4 | Check Current Price |
Best Installation Company | Leaf Filter | 4.5 | Get Free Estimate |
Top Gutter Guard may be compensated through the table links, but the opinions are our own
Gutter Guard Types
So let’s see the gutter guards types
- Metal brush protection: These metal brush guards are placed in the gutter under hangers or spikes. The way this works is that it catches debris in the bristles; however, the bristles allow water to flow through freely. These are used when the debris is large in size mostly. However for coniferous needles, single granules as well as maple seeds, these are not effective.Foam gutter guards keep the debris on the foam but the water can pass through it. This has a disadvantage as the debris keeps accumulating and over time it starts to rot. If there are maple seeds, there are chances that this will grow in the foam.
- Flexible mesh screens: these come in rolls and are quite a budget friendly stuff. However, these are not sturdy and certainly not the most efficient as well. This can be a little hard to install and to keep it in place too. These also carry the risk of collapsing with heavy ice or snow sheets.
- Perforated plastic guards: These are somewhat the best to keep large debris filtered out. However, in case of handling the smaller particles like shingle granules or pollen or pine needles, it might not be quite effective and reliable.
- Inverted curve protection: This keeps water in the gutter but it needs to be cleaned as when there is dust or debris, the capacity of the water to flow will decrease.
- Perforated metal: This is sturdy as well as more resistant than plastic. It is to be used where there is heavy snow fall. This also reduces ice expansion which takes place in the gutter and so it increases the life of the gutter.
- The micro mesh plastic protection: this allows drainage and keeps off all kinds of debris. It can be used where there is either thin or small debris. This allows water to drain efficiently and reduce the need for regular maintenance.
- Metal micro mesh guards: These are more or less the same as the plastic micro mesh but it offers more protection and it optimally filters the debris. It is long lasting and it can handle harsh winters. It can even effectively hold up snow and ice.
- Continuous hangars: These are the fastening type and it allows the replacement of hangers as well as spikes as well as it offers leaf guard protection as well. This has a continuous hangar where the gutter is secured during the entire length. It is perhaps one of the strongest as well as the best products that you can consider to installed.
There are two main varieties based on the installation.
- Homeowner installed – these keep out debris well and can be done either by a home owner or a professional. These are easy to install and they are different kinds of meshes. The B1 is a mesh which is fine and it keeps out debris but B2 and B4 meshes do not keep small particles away.
- Pro installed – these are excellent to keep out debris and they also are good when installed in places where there is heavy rainfall. These have different types and fine mesh ones are usually better than surface tension ones.
Best Four Homeowner Types Gutter Guard Reviews
1. Amerimax Gutter Guard Reviews
Amerimax is one of the leading manufacturers of all rain carrying systems. This company is based in the United States and it offers solutions to professional contractors as well as to consumers. It provides all kinds of products which are needed including vinyl, aluminum as well as copper systems for rain carrying, it offers fascia, soffit, flashing and even roofing accessories.
All the various gutter guards offered by Amerimax come in convenient lengths and are easy to install. These do not need professionals to install but can be done by the home owner themselves. They fit all kinds of residential rain water gutter systems even those systems which are made by local companies. They come in various colors, materials and different styles of locking to the gutters so the home owner can pick and choose the exact specifications as per his or her needs without having the need to compromise.
The products are very affordable and good and the user gets true value for his money. These products do not come with a warranty but as they are made with superior quality, it is not even needed. However, there are easily returnable within 90 days of it being purchased. Amerimax is rated to be one of the best home owner installed gutter guards in numerous case study and gutter guard reviews.
2. Rhino Gutter Guard Reviews
Rhino Gutter guards have a variety of products to suit all needs and budgets and it is an easy homeowner installed gutter guard. This infact has a patent and is a system that is completely enclosed. The products are resistant to corrosion as well as are made of stainless steel which is of surgical grade. These are meant specifically for problem areas where additional protection is required due to the fact that there are high volumes of water.
These use a micro mesh which has 440 micron openings. This allows for 60 gallons of water per minute to be taken in while the smallest of debris such as shingle grit and pine needles are kept out. These have an embossed surface and so the debris does not stick to it and this has a hemming process where the micromesh is securely bonded to the gutter guard so a strong connection is created which does not come apart even after years have elapsed.
The company is based in Tampa, Florida and their products are offered a 30 year warranty. The warranty states that the gutters will never clog and incase there is clogging, the entire money will be refunded in full. The warranty offered is transferrable if the owner decides to sell his or her home.Rhino gutter guards are only sold as well as installed by Authorized dealers who are both factory trained as well as certified. These are also insured and licensed professionals.
Rhino Gutter guards have a variety of products to suit all needs and budgets and is an easy homeowner installed gutter guard. This infact has a patent and is a system that is completely enclosed. The products are resistant to corrosion as well as are made of stainless steel which is of surgical grade. These are meant specifically for problem areas where additional protection is required due to the fact that there are high volumes of water.
These use a micro mesh which has 440 micron openings. This allows for 60 gallons of water per minute to be taken in while the smallest of debris such as shingle grit and pine needles are kept out. These have an embossed surface and so the debris does not stick to it and this has a hemming process where the micromesh is securely bonded to the gutter guard so a strong connection is created which does not come apart even after years have elapsed.
The company is based in Tampa, Florida and their products are offered a 30 year warranty. The warranty states that the gutters will never clog and incase there is clogging, the entire money will be refunded in full. The warranty offered is transferrable if the owner decides to sell his or her home.
Rhino gutter guards are only sold as well as installed by Authorized dealers who are both factory trained as well as certified. These are also insured and licensed professionals.
3. Easy on Gutter Guard Reviews
These gutter guard systems can be easily installed by the homeowner. This company is based in Rocklin, CA and they offer stainless steel fine micro mesh for filtration. These allow sand, pine needles and leaves to be filtered from the gutter. They are made with bond technology which is super strong using 3M VHB tape. These are quick to install and can be installed 30% faster than other kinds of gutter guards.
The company offers a 10-year warranty and this warranty can even be extended to 25 years when it is registered online.
There are different ways to install these including the adhesive bond tape or by using the self-tapping screws or for added protection, both can be used in combination. This comes with 3M foam tape which provides adhesion and at the same time it does not void the warranty of the roof. It allows for elasticity to be maintained due to contraction and expansion as a result of the heat and cold. The tape which is provided also protects dissimilar metals from being corroded due to galvanization.
These products are extremely affordable and they offer a very cost-effective solution to protecting the gutters.
Check Out Full Review About Easy On Gutter Guards
4. Raindrop Gutter Guard Reviews
Raindrop gutter guards are based in Cary, Illinois and these offer gutter protection better than other homeowner installed gutter guard systems. These strive to a goal of providing maintenance free as well as gutter protection systems which are self cleaning. These were first installed in 2000 and till date there have been no complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau.
These systems are versatile and work with all styles of roofs and are made to fit gutters which are 5” or 6”. These can also be modified so that they fit gutters which are 4” or even 10”. These handle high volume of water without any problem and are made of polypropylene which has UV stabilizers and so these are able to handle the harshest of all storms as well as the hottest and coldest climates imaginable.
The products are black and so they are almost invisible as they look like the shadow which is at the roof line. These are even able to handle snow as well as ice
The warranty offered is 20 years of transferrable warranty. This is effective from 2014 June. However, the warranty registration should be completed within 30 days of installation. The products offer the home owner value for their money.
Best two Pro Installed Gutter Guard Reviews
1. Leafguard Gutter Guard Reviews:
Leafguard gutter systems came into existence in 1993 after a number of years of intensive research and development. This company literally revolutionized the entire industry. It was one which offered a one piece system which could be used for commercial and residential applications and to top it all it came with clog free guarantee for a lifetime as well as it offered a limited lifetime warranty for its paint finish. One of the most
Leafguard gutter systems came into existence in 1993 after a number of years of intensive research and development. This company literally revolutionized the entire industry. It was one which offered a one piece system which could be used for commercial and residential applications and to top it all it came with clog free guarantee for a lifetime as well as it offered a limited lifetime warranty for its paint finish. One of the most preferred pro installed gutter guard is leafguard.
This brand is available through only authorized dealers which are supported by Englert Inc. This company has its headquarters in Perth Amboy which is in the state of New Jersey. Though, it has distribution centers which are countrywide.
These have various options which the person can choose from and it the leaf guard is made of one piece of aluminum gutters. These products are very affordable and they add to the safety of the home as well as are a very valuable investment for the home. These systems offer a guarantee that no pine needles, leaves or organic debris will get clogged for your entire lifetime and should it get clogged, the cleaning and repairs will be undertaken free of cost by the installing contractor. All these systems though cannot be installed by the homeowner but need a contractor to install.
2. Leaf Filter Gutter Guard Reviews
This company has grown from a single office in Hudson, Ohio in 2005 to 35 offices which are all over the nation. This company has not only received raving reviews as the best pro installed gutter guards but also has been recognized by media outlets, review services as well as customers alike. It has won various awards.
This provides professionally installed micromesh gutter filters which can be installed on the seamless gutters and it keeps all kinds of grit, pine needles and debris out. Thus the home is protected from clogged gutters leading to structural issues, foundation damage and more.
The cost of these guards depends on the condition of the gutters as well as the kind of gutters that are installed – k style, rain gutters or seamless gutters. It also depends on how they are hung and how many corners are there in home, how high they are, so on and so forth. However, the professionals will first estimate the cost and inform the home owner before going ahead.
The gutter guard is made of uPVC and the micro mesh is made of stainless steel. As the holes are 50 microns fine it does not even allow sand to get in.
The company offers a money back no clog guarantee to it’s customers once an online warranty registration has been filled in.
Check Out Full Review About Leaf Filter Gutter Guard
How to Choose the Best:
When choosing gutter guards what needs to be checked are the buildup and accumulation of debris and leaves, how it handles water – both heavy flows as well as trickles, does it get affected due to snow, ice, hail or does it cave in and the ease of installation – of course price does play a part.
When choosing gutter guards, ability to handle heavy flows needs to be considered. A heavy flow capacity is if it can handle 3 ½ – 4 ½ inches in an hour of water over the roof section. The severe flows are the ability to handle between 6 and 7 ½ inches in an hour which occurs during thunderstorms.
When choosing gutter guards its effectiveness needs to be seen. Specific models should be chosen and not any model by a specific company. It should also be easy to maintain and most of all it should be affordable.
What We Recommend as the Best
The best gutter guard reviews including raindrop gutter guard reviews state that leaffilter is the one that is perhaps the best seamless. These may seem to be a costlier option for a few, but in comparison to other pro-installed ones, they offer the best for the price they charge. There are different materials too which these leaf guards could be made of and their design is another factor that will influence their cost. Leaf filter guards come with an efficient, sturdy design to stand bad weather conditions and heavy rains or snow. Drier regions can have gutter guards that do not need to handle severe rainfall, but even then you would look for a sturdier option. In all that sense, leaf filter gutter guard is the best choice.
Another factor as per the leaf filter gutters reviews is to understand what kind of debris clogs the gutter at your place mostly. If there are leaves at most times, then a mesh screen will do which will allow water into the gutter but it should not allow leaves into it. Those who have pine needles or seeds which clog the drain system, they need better protection as these have stainless steel micro screens.
The type of roof needs to be considered as well – there are those that have metal shingles and these cannot be dismantled to slip the protective cover. This could also possibly damage the roof.
If you are considering a homeowner installed gutter guard, Amerimax may work for you at its best. Several gutter guard reviews show Amerimax stands out not only due to the number of models, the types, the designs, the ease of installation and different materials they are made of.
Final Verdict on Gutter Guard Reviews
The best gutter guard reviews and leaf guard gutters reviews of past users can only inform you of what are the pros and cons of installing each of these types of gutter guards. Quoted in the article were the guidelines that may help you make a right decision. The choice you make regarding the best gutter covers or the gutter guard is, end of the day, based upon your individual choice and viewpoints. You need to make sure that you have taken all the points into consideration before considering what kind of a guard you want. Not only is budget a factor to be considered but the roof type, the debris type as well as the kind of the gutter guard that would best suit the weather conditions in the place where you live. So additional features you can look for is the durability, warranties and warranty extensions. If you are searching for the best ones, you can consider one among leaf filter guards or Amerimax, depending on your requirements.
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