Regular maintenance helps your gutters work properly and prevents water buildup that can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes carrying diseases like the West Nile virus.
Many people consider cleaning their gutters a daunting and time-consuming task. They rely on gutter guard installations to reduce the number of times they must clean.
If you’re looking for gutter protection systems, there are various types available in the market. Learn about their different features, as well as advantages and disadvantages, in this article.
Foam Gutter Guards
Foam gutter guards are porous gutter inserts made of polyether or polyurethane materials that block debris but allows water to flow through.
Pros
A foam guard is inexpensive and easy to install. They come in different lengths of polyether foam. You can cut them to your desired size. These reasons make foam guards a popular DIY gutter protection product.
Cons
Foam guards can block most debris, but dirt particles and tiny seedlings can still pass through and cause a buildup. This buildup may cause clogging. The foam inserts are also prone to rotting and mold infestations.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Foam gutter guards need regular maintenance and should be replaced annually.
Cost
The average cost of foam gutter guards is around $2 per linear foot, making them a very affordable option for your home.
Brush Gutter Guards
Brush gutter guards look a lot like bottle brushes with heavy-duty bristles. Their long, cylindrical shape allows them to fit inside your rain gutters perfectly. They are designed to block large debris like leaves, branches, etc.
Pros
Brush guards are also inexpensive and popular for being easy to install and remove. Its bristle design allows air to circulate and keep the gutters dry. Brush guards are also known to prevent rusting and molds.
Cons
The downside is brush guards are not capable of blocking all kinds of debris. Small debris like dirt, maple spinners, and twigs can get caught in the bristles. Leaves can also accumulate over time and cause clogging.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Brush gutter guards need to be cleaned at least once a year to prevent any buildup.
Cost
Brush guards cost an average of $3 per linear foot, making them an affordable gutter protection system.
Reverse Curve Gutter Guards
Reverse curve or surface tension gutter guards are the oldest types of gutter guards. Despite numerous improvements over the years, the process remains the same — water flows around the edge of the nose and through a small gap. Due to surface tension, leaves and debris go over the curved edge and fall to the ground.
Pros
The reverse curve’s design is an effective way to prevent and filter out debris. They are usually made of metal sheets, making them durable and long-lasting.
Cons
Reverse curve gutter guards require professional installation since some gutters may need to be readjusted to accommodate this system. This gutter guard system is known to become a nest for various pests like bees and wasps.
Cleaning & Maintenance
If installed properly, reverse curve guards require little maintenance. But they are large and bulky, making them difficult to clean.
Cost
Reverse curve gutter guards are expensive due to the installation cost. The average installation cost ranges from $4 to $8, but it may come with a warranty.
One advantage of mesh gutter guards is their compatibility with any gutters and roofing.
Micro-Mesh Gutter Guards
Micro-mesh gutter guards are made of metal sheets with countless tiny holes as small as 50 microns in diameter. This type of gutter guard design keeps out even the smallest debris while allowing the water to flow freely.
Pros
One advantage of mesh gutter guards is their compatibility with any gutter and roofing system. They are known for their durability; they can last many years with regular maintenance. This type of gutter guard is best suited for homes close to trees and other foliage.
Cons
Shingle grit and dirt, and other smaller particles can enter the tiny holes of micro-mesh guards.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Micro-mesh guards need to be cleaned at least once every two years.
Cost
Micro-mesh guards are one of the most expensive of gutter protection systems. Like reverse curve guards, micro-mesh requires professional installation. The cost to install this system is $9 per linear foot, on average, and often comes with a warranty.
Now that you are familiar with the popular types of gutter guards, you may choose which one best suits your home. Just keep in mind that gutter protection systems don’t guarantee maintenance-free gutters. Each type still requires some level of maintenance work.
G.H. Clark Contractors, Inc., a provider of gutters in Maryland, offers a wide range of gutter protection systems. Our gutter and gutter guard installation experts are licensed, bonded, and insured for your protection.
If you plan to have gutters or gutter guards installed, contact us today to get a free, no-pressure estimate.