Do Gutter Guards Work? Truth From Honest Pros.

Gutter Guards Aren't a Waste of Money (Here’s the Proof)

Gutter guards have reasonable payoff periods if you clean your gutters twice a year (or intend to!) Those who clean infrequently or once a year will struggle to make their money back. Here's a breakdown of when they reduce gutter cleaning costs.

Table: Break-Even Time of Gutter Guards

Assumptions: Cleaning costs based on a single-story 2000 sq. ft. house with 250 linear feet of gutters. Prices are based on HOMR data

‍

The key driver in the payback period is how much you pay per cleaning - the savings compound as the price increases.

They make even more sense financially when you’re installing them with a new gutter system as the marginal cost is typically less than installing them on an existing system.

Homes that won't benefit from installing gutter guards:

• Homes with no large trees or regular debris that hits the roof
• 2-story or 3-story homes that clean infrequently

They’re certainly not a magic bullet, so why all of the consternation around guards?

The Four Most Cited Gutter Guard Fails

HOMR found 4 key complaints from homeowners when researching gutter guards. Three have to do with performance. The other is a result of misleading gutter guard marketing information.

Gross Roofline Cesspools, Bugs and Invasive Plants

Certain types of gutter guards are shaped in a way that provides incomplete gutter protection. 

Reverse-curve gutter guards have raised sections that can snag twigs and other small debris. These sections are also magnets for moss and lichens to grow. 

Foam gutter guards are porous. While they eliminate most debris, they do leave room for moisture that attracts pests like mosquitoes and ants.

Damaged Siding and Shingles During Storms 

“A lot of gutter guards are installed by sliding them under the shingles or siding of your house,” Michael Solano explains. 

“If those guards are torn out during a massive storm, guess what? Your siding or roof shingles are going with them.”

We pulled HOMR data, the average roof repair job costs between $500 and $1,000 per square (100 square feet). 

Best practice: HOMR recommends you install gutter guards that screw into your existing system. That way, there's no concern about roof repair or siding replacement.

Slow Water Flow After Heavy Rain - Gutter Waterfalls

Don't install gutter guards on gutters with seams.

Since gutter guards don't eliminate 100% of debris from entering your gutters, there will be buildup over time. And where will they get caught? In the gutter's seams. This buildup contributes to a slower water flow.

Some gutter guard systems also slow the flow of water through your gutters after heavy rain: a double impact.

Bad Gutter Guard Marketing

"Never clean your gutters again," is a lie, and it usually comes from two places: 

• Installers that over-promise to homeowners 
• impossible promises from gutter guard manufacturers themselves. 

Many homeowners think gutter guards are a substitute for gutter maintenance and cleaning.

This isn't the case. 

The best gutter guard systems still need to be removed and cleaned every 12-24 months because small debris like seeds and pine needles can make their way through. 

If you’re looking for an installer to repair or replace your existing gutter guard system, read our guide to the top gutter installers in Dallas.

The Research: How We Picked The Right Gutter Guard System

The right gutter guard system is a great first line of defense against debris, leaves and gutter damage.

We evaluated the competing systems on a few key points:

• Effectiveness at filtering small debris
• A long useful life
• Widespread ability to repair and maintain
• Overall cost of ownership

We spoke to Michael Solano, the owner of Dallas Window and Gutter Cleaning, a company that’s cleaned thousands of gutters with and without gutter guards to share his expertise on the subject

Reverse-curve gutter guards aren’t a great option for the majority of homeowners who get gutter guards because they want to reduce cost.

What about big-name systems like Leaf Guard or Gutter Helmet? Most of these systems require proprietary installation or matching gutter systems. Repair and maintenance can't be done by many local professionals, which drives up the cost of ownership of these systems. Additionally, the initial cost of installation is also higher than industry standard.

HOMR also eliminated foam gutter guard brands from our list. While they are easy to install, their porous material allows for other problems like moisture retention and mosquito infestation over time.

Finally, we don't recommend gutter guards that come in small sections. These products leave too many access points for small debris to create clogs, as well as access points for critters.

🏆 FlowGuard: Our Top Gutter Guard Pick

HOMR surveyed its gutter installation partners about their favorite gutter guard products. A majority of our featured partners chose FlowGuard as their favorite gutter guard brand. Specifically, we suggest the FlowGuard 50 year gutter cover system.

FlowGuard gutter guards (formerly FlexxPoint) are constructed with all-around aluminum and installed with stainless steel screws. By avoiding proprietary design and technology, the company makes installation much simpler for contractors and homeowners. 

“Our design is a simple design, but it’s very functional,” said Mike Peterman, FlowGuard general manager.

FlowGuard offers a competitive price point of $1.20 per linear foot that matches or beats top competitors in the industry. 

USA Today named the FlowGuard 30 year gutter cover system #1 in its Best Gutter Guards of 2023 rankings.

Buy from Amazon: FlowGuard Gutter Guards ($1.39/foot at time of publishing)

Why We Like FlowGuard Gutter Guards

HOMR likes FlowGuard products for 3 key reasons:

1. Durability and ease of cleaning.

FlowGuard’s aluminum surfaces make it simple to clean away small debris, and screws are easily removed for regular gutter maintenance and cleaning. There are no ice buildup issues during hail storms or freezing events. 

2. Simple gutter guard installation.

“There’s a lot of companies that do proprietary [technology], and the cost of the install really gets out of sight for the homeowner when you do that,” Mike Peterman told us. “By having an easy to install product, any handyman or small company or homeowner can really do it themselves.

3. No contact with your shingles or siding.

Finally, FlowGuard guards are installed away from your home and roof line — no sliding under your shingles or siding. If installed properly, they’ll never damage your roof.

FlowGuard average price point (materials): $1.20 per linear foot

Pros:

✅ 50-year limited product warranty

✅ Great performance at keeping debris out of gutters

✅ Best durability of all product styles (30+ years)

✅ Company owned by a U.S. military veteran

✅ Easy installation and maintenance

Cons:

🚫 Cleaning requires removal of stainless steel screws

🚫 Requires proper installation to avoid shingle damage

Ready to install FlowGuard gutter guards on your house? Get a free quote from a local provider before you decide!‍

{{cta-component="/"}}

‍

Ranking Other Gutter Guard Types

The other systems all had unique benefits from extremely easy installs, to extremely low cost to install, but came short on one of our key dimensions.  Here are the pros and cons of other types of gutter guard systems.

Best of the Rest: Micro Mesh Gutter Guards

Micro mesh gutter guards are incredibly durable — most systems last at least 20 years. They're a lot like gutter screens, but made with better quality materials and much smaller holes.

Micro mesh gutter guard systems allow virtually nothing but water to pass through. That durability and efficiency does have a higher price tag than the other options on this list. Micro mesh is also harder to install, and not every pro offers it.

Price point (materials): $2.75 - $5.00 per linear foot

Pros:

✅ Second best durability of all product styles (20+ years)

✅ Smaller holes eliminate virtually all leaves and debris from gutters

Cons:

🚫 More difficult to install, not available from all gutter contractors

🚫 Higher price point and installation cost

Runner-Up: Brush Gutter Guards

Brush gutter guards act like bottle brushes for your gutter system. Cylinder-shaped wire brushes slide into your gutters and prevent large debris and leaves from entering the system.

Brush guards act well as a leaf filter, but small debris can find its way into your gutters. Annual gutter cleaning is still recommended. Most brush gutter guards last at least 5 years.

Price point (materials): $3.50-$4.25 per linear foot

Pros:

✅ Generally non-invasive installation process

✅ Very effective at clearing large debris and leaves

Cons:

🚫 Higher materials cost than other varieties

🚫 Less effective at small debris prevention

Less Reliable: Screen Gutter Guards

Gutter screens look a lot like metal grates or wire fencing. They sit on top of your gutters and act more like a gutter cover.

The efficiency of a gutter screen system depends on the size of its holes. The larger the holes, the more likely small debris slips into your gutters. Most screen gutter guards last about 10 years if they aren't exposed to extreme weather.

Price point (materials): $0.40-$1.00 per linear foot plastic, $1.50-$3.25 metal

Pros: 

✅ Relatively cheap material options

✅ Simpler installation, can be handled by most gutter professionals, or an enterprising homeowner

Cons: 

🚫 Screens are installed under your first row of shingles

🚫 Large hole design may lead to increased debris in gutters

🚫 Some brands are made of plastic

‍

Don’t Recommend: Foam Gutter Guards

Foam gutter guards are popular for their ease of installation. The price point for the foam itself isn't low, but your installation costs should go down.

Foam guards are made of polyether or polyurethane and have pre-cut holes that allow water to flow through. This water can attract insects over time. Most foam guard systems must be replaced every 2 years.

Price point (materials): $2.25-$3.25 per linear foot

Pros:

✅ Easy installation, DIY-friendly

✅ Good facilitation of water flow through gutters

Cons:

🚫 Shorter life expectancy than other options

🚫 Mid-range price point for short lifespan

🚫 Pooled water can attract mosquitoes and other insects

Addendum: How Do Gutter Guards Work?

Gutter guards are composed of a filter that fits over or inside your gutters. Their primary job is to keep leaves, twigs and other debris out of your gutters. This allows water to flow normally and prevents a clogged gutter system.

If gutter guards are made of sturdy metal, they provide some added gutter protection against falling debris and tree bark.

Here’s a key point: Gutter guards were never intended to eliminate gutter cleaning. Gutter guards keep debris out of your gutters. Homeowners still need to clean them 

Different markets have different gutter guard needs. In areas like Dallas, gutter guards are used to keep out oak and myrtle leaves, defend against Argentine ant colonies, and act as gutter screens against falling branches and other large debris.

SAVVY HOMEOWNERS NOTE: While quality gutter guards and other filter options (like downspout filters) do a good job, they're not a perfect solution for keeping rain gutters clean.