If you are a good homeowner, you know that taking care of your gutters is important. But seriously who has the time (and desire) to clean them out every few months? The best gutter guards can save you time and money in the long run as they will keep your gutters free of debris.
We reviewed 25 products and came up with a list of 6 excellent options. The FlexxPoint Residential 5" Gutter Guards was chosen as our Editor’s Choice. The first thing we looked at was the different materials each gutter system was made out of since this will tell you how long they will last. Next, we checked out the different widths and lengths available, since not all gutters are the same size. Finally, we looked at whether or not they came with a warranty to help protect you if the system should fail.
More features: 4 color options available; stainless steel installation fasteners included
If you are in the market for a set of gutter guards that are not only easy to install but also extremely effective at keeping out all manner of debris, then these are a great model to check out. The FlexxPoint guards have a large number of very small holes all throughout their length, which allows them to keep out all but the very smallest of pieces of debris. They are especially good at keeping out leaves, pine needles, and any seeds that trees drop during the year.
These gutters are incredibly easy to install. The instructions that come with them are very clear, making it a piece of cake for anyone to install them, even if you aren’t particularly handy. These guards also come with everything that you need to install them properly, which makes putting them on to 5-inch gutters very simple.
Something else that helps to make these gutters such a good option is that they come in four different colors. These color choices make finding the perfect match for your home’s gutters much easier. Of course, this only truly matters if your gutters can be seen from the ground, but it is a big help in this instance to keep your house looking its best.
No matter what size of home you are buying these guards for, you shouldn’t have too much of an issue buying the right amount. This model of guards comes in a large variety of lengths so that you can buy the right amount the first time. These guards are a bit flimsy before they are installed, so make sure not to bend them at all. Thankfully, once they are installed, they are rustproof and very durable, which means they will last a good long time. This isn’t too surprising, seeing as how the company offers a thirty-year warranty, which shows that they really stand by this outstanding product.
More features: installation hardware is included
If you live in a forested area, then you understand the struggle of keeping out all sorts of debris. One of the trickiest things to keep out is, of course, pine needles. These tiny pieces of vegetation are very small and, as such, have a tendency to sneak through pretty much any gutter protection system that folks install. This is, thankfully, not the case for this model. It has a mesh screen on the top that keeps even the smallest particles of debris from getting into the gutter. This makes it an ideal solution for anyone that has an abundant amount of pine trees to deal with since it will keep them from clogging up the downspout, which will allow the gutters to work correctly.
These gutter guards are also a good solution for anyone that has larger than average sized gutters. This is probably the case if you have a larger home. While these guards are primarily designed to fit five-inch gutters, they can be also used for six inches or even seven-inch models. This high level of compatibility also makes them a great option if you have an older home since these types of houses tend to have different sized gutters.
As you would expect from an aluminum gutter guard, this model is completely rustproof. It also comes with all of the necessary hardware to install them correctly. If you do decide to purchase these guards, however, just be sure that you set aside plenty of time to install them correctly, as they can be a bit tricky to get into place. Thankfully, once they are there, these guards are some of the best in the business at keeping your gutters clear.
More features: 380 holes per foot
Metal is among the best materials you can possibly use for a house’s roof. As long as it is painted every ten years or so, a metal roof can last forever. Of course, this also depends upon having gutters that are completely free of water and guards that are completely free of rust. If you have a metal roof, then these are the gutter guards for you. They are made of rustproof aluminum, which will keep your roof from gaining any surface rust where the two come together.
In fact, not only are these interlocking sections of gutter guard guaranteed to never rust, they are pretty much guaranteed to never need any replacing. The company is so ready to stand behind their product that they offer what is very clearly the best warranty on the market today. These gutter guards are not only covered for a certain amount of years. Instead, it comes with a complete lifetime guarantee. This warranty means that if anything should happen to these guards any time after you purchase them, the company will completely replace them at no additional cost to you.
Something else that helps to make these such a clear choice for use with a metal roof is the number of holes that help to keep any water free flowing through them. They have an astounding 380 holes per linear foot, which will help to protect against any clogs. This, in turn, will help to keep your roof free of rust, which is obviously ideal. They do not, however, come with any installation screws, so be sure to select some screws that will not rust to help protect the guards and your home from any rust stains.
More features: mounting screws included
There is no two ways about it, if you are not the handiest of people, then installing gutter guards could be quite challenging. Some of the more advanced models require the use of a drill to properly install them. This difficult installation process could make adding them seem daunting to you if you aren’t used to using power tools.
Thankfully, there are some options out there that don’t require a ton of tools or, at most, measuring tape and a screwdriver. Such is the case with this model. All you need to do is fit this guard into your gutter, and it is basically installed. You then have the option of adding screws, but since it is held in with tension, they are not necessary. It is a good thing that these guards are so simple to install since they do not come with any instructions, which shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
Something else that makes this such an ideal option for anyone who is not all that handy is that they are designed to be used on multiple different sizes of gutters. Since they can be used on four, five, or six-inch gutters, it removes the necessity to carefully measure or cut the guards to size.
Something that you will need to keep in mind with these guards is that they are not completely rustproof. Instead, they are rust resistant. As long as the powder coat lasts, you won’t need to worry about any rusting. You will have to recoat them every once in a while, however, to keep them from becoming rusty years down the road.
More features: mounting screws included
Though gutter guards are designed to save you tons of time, they are not always designed to save you a lot of money. Some of the systems on the market are quite expensive, which can prohibit you from employing them, especially if you have a larger home. If that is the case for you, then you might want to check these guards out. They are extremely cost-effective in comparison to other models available today, making them a great choice if you are looking to save a bunch of money while still getting an effective product.
Though these gutter guards are not the most expensive on the market, that doesn’t mean they don’t work well. As long as you are only looking to guard five-inch gutters, they work superbly. These guards have nice small holes that will allow water to flow through without letting any large or small debris to slip into the gutters.
Since these guards are made out of aluminum, you can also rest assured that they won’t ever rust, no matter how long you have them installed. This makes them an even better option economically speaking. At this price point, you usually have to worry about rusting anytime while you have them installed.
The only way that you can really tell that these guards are not as expensive as some others are by looking at the screws they come with. These are, unfortunately, not high-quality ones, so it would probably be best to purchase some replacements. These guards also only come in short sections, so be prepared to buy a lot of them if you have a larger home.
More features: “dam” design; compatible with steel and aluminum K-style gutters
It can be downright difficult to find gutter guards to fit easily into multiple gutter sizes. This is, thankfully, not the case with this model. It is specially designed to simply slip into various sizes of gutters and click tight. Though it might be a bit oversized for some smaller gutters, it works wonderfully for larger ones. All you have to do is slip one end into your gutter and the other under your roof and it is installed. This guard can also be used for either aluminum or steel gutters, making it a great choice for an older home with multiple types of gutters.
Something else that helps to makes this such a good option for larger gutters is its dam style design. Since this guard is designed to help guide water through it, it is completely overflow proof. This overflow protection is a great help if you have a larger roof since the last thing you want to have to worry about is there being too much water for your gutters to handle.
Though this gutter guard system has a long warranty and should last for a long time, it must be said that it is not completely rust proof. Since this model is only made with powder-coated steel, you will need to check them every so often to make sure that the coating is not wearing off. Otherwise, they might rust after several years, which could cause them to break down.
In this section, we will go through everything that you need to know to find the best gutter guards for your home. We have also taken the time to answer several frequently asked questions, so be sure to read through those as well if you are still unclear on any details.
When it comes to gutter guards, there are several advantages that make installing them a good idea. First off, perhaps the biggest, and most obvious benefit to installing these guards is that they will help to keep your gutters clear of debris.
If you get the right guard for your situating, you could prevent leaves, pine needles, branches, and any other airborne debris from entering into your gutters. This will, in turn, help to keep your gutters flowing freely, which is exactly the way that they are designed to work.
The next big benefit to using gutter guards is that it will limit the number of times that you need to climb up on a ladder to clean out your gutters. While cleaning out gutters is not a terribly hard job, it is not a very pleasant one either. Any debris trapped in a gutter is bound to be rotten, slimy, and disgusting. Plus, it can be quite dangerous. Every year, there are tons of people that fall from ladders while they are cleaning out their gutters. Since gutter guards will remove the necessity for cleaning out your gutters regularly, they will help to keep you on the ground and much safer.
The final big benefit that you will get to enjoy after you install your new gutter guards is that they will extend the life of your gutters. Like everything else in a home, gutters will eventually wear down, especially if they are constantly full of standing water because they are clogged with debris. Since gutter guards keep all of this unwanted stuff out, they also help to extend the lifetime of your gutters, which is extremely helpful.
In this section, we will go through all of the main factors that should use as your guide when you are purchasing your new gutter guards.
The first thing that you will want to consider when you are looking for a new set of gutter guards is the type of material that they are made of. You have two choices in this case. You can either select powder coated steel or aluminum. Aluminum gutter guards, like the FlexxPoint Residential 5″ Gutter Guards, are lightweight and easy to install. Aluminum models are also very cost-efficient, making them ideal for someone on a bit of a budget. Thought these gutter guards would not rust; they are not quite as durable as steel models, however.
Powder coated steel guards are going to cost you a bit more upfront, but they are incredibly durable. Since steel is a much stronger material than aluminum, these models, like the Amerimax Home Products Hoover Dam Gutter Guard, can withstand the elements very well. They will need to be recoated every once in a while, however, so that they don’t rust.
The next thing that you will want to carefully consider for your gutter guards is the width of the gutters on your home. The last thing that you want to do is purchase a guard system only to find out that it is too wide or not wide enough to properly protect your gutters from debris. Most models are designed to fit gutters that are five inches wide since this is the most common measurement.
If, however, you have an older home with smaller gutters or a larger home with larger gutters, you might need to look for a set of gutter guards that is compatible with your size of gutters. In this case, a model like the Amerimax Home Products Lock-in Gutter Guard would be a good option, since they can be used on gutters that are four, five, or six inches in width. You could also go with the Raptor Gutter Guard for wider gutters since this model comes in five, six, or seven-inch widths.
The next thing that you will want to consider is exactly how long all of your gutters are in your home. This measurement will allow you to figure out exactly how many sections of gutter guard you need to purchase.
Of course, it always makes sense to purchase a little bit more than you think you will need. That way, you will be able to protect yourself if you make a bit of a mistake when you are cutting the pieces to the appropriate sizes.
If you do purchase more than you need, then you will also have some extra in case any section of your new guards should fail.
Whether you are an accomplished DIYer or a novice, it always pays to make things easier on yourself. That is why you should look for a gutter guard model that comes with all of the installation hardware included. That way, you won’t need to try and find the correct screws or brackets on your own and can get right down to installing your new system.
Having the right hardware for the job will also help to make sure that not only is the system correctly installed, but that it will last a good long time as well. If you are looking to make your life a lot easier, then you should get a gutter guard like the Smart Screen GPS401 Gutter Protection Covers, since it comes with everything you will need to correctly install it.
Like any home improvement purchase, it makes sense to look for a good warranty on your new gutter guard system. That way, you will be protected if the system should fail in any way after you have purchased and installed it. While all of the different systems on the market offer some sort of a warranty, the A-M Aluminum Gutter Guard is by far the best. This company is so sure of their product that they will give you a lifetime guarantee, which means that you are covered for as long as you have it installed.
Gutter guards are relatively straightforward devices, so there aren’t too many extra features to examine carefully. One of the more important, however, is the gutter compatibility. Some different models will only work with aluminum gutters, while others will work with vinyl or steel. Make sure you are getting a gutter guard that is compatible with your gutter system so that it will work correctly.
Something else that you might want to carefully consider is the color of your new gutter guards. Some models only come in a metallic shade, while others, like the FlexxPoint Residential 5″ Gutter Guards can be purchased in a variety of colors, which will make matching them to your home much easier.
There are several different steps to follow when you are installing your new gutter guards. These include:
If you are in the market for the best possible gutter guards, then it is hard to argue against the FlexxPoint Residential 5″ Gutter Guards. These wonderful guards are able to keep out almost any kind of debris, are easy to install, and will last for a good long time. They also come in lots of sizes, which makes buying the right amount a piece of cake.
Of course, if you have to worry about very small particles like pine needles, then the Raptor Gutter Guard system is a great option for you. This aluminum guard system has a covering with extremely small holes that will only allow water to pass, but not any debris, no matter how small it is.
When it comes to finding the best gutter guards for metal roofs, you won’t find anything better than the A-M Aluminum Gutter Guard. This system is guaranteed for life, so you can rest assured that it, your gutters, and your roof, won’t cause each other to rust or break down any time soon.
