Are Gutter Guards Worth It? A Home Contractor’s Opinion

One of the most time-consuming tasks for a homeowner is cleaning their gutters. One way to reduce the frequency of cleaning is to install gutter guards and provide a way for water to flow freely out of the gutters and through downspouts. But are gutter guards worth it? Or are gutter guards a waste of money? 

The answer often lies in the details of your home’s situation. Gutter guards, also known as gutter covers or leaf guards, are ideal for helping control leaves, cones, and twigs that clog gutters and downspouts.

Gutter guards either filter rainwater before entering the gutter or deflect debris away, preventing the debris from passing and allowing the water to pass freely to the gutter opening. Gutter guards that deflect debris require less cleaning but are typically more expensive. Conversely, gutter guards that filter debris are usually less costly but require more frequent cleaning and maintenance. 

Some gutter guards attach permanently to the gutters, while others are easily removable for cleaning. 

We’ll offer tips to determine if gutter guards are a sound investment for your home. We’ll also provide practical advice from professionals to consider before purchasing, including the pros and cons of owning gutter guards.

How to Decide If Gutter Guards Are Worth It for Your Home

It’s not unusual for homeowners to ask, “Are gutter covers worth it?” In many cases, the answer is a resounding yes! But there are a few things to consider when deciding whether gutter guards suit your home’s gutter system.

Gutter guards are fantastic for reducing or eliminating most clogs that cause your gutters to overflow. Clogged gutters are common in regions with deciduous trees and conifers, as these species frequently drop excessive amounts of leaves and needles, often leading to clogs. 

In determining whether or not your home’s gutters would benefit from gutter guards, consider what problems could be solved by installing them. 

Are your gutters overflowing because they are too small or clogged? You’ll want to put off purchasing gutter guards if your gutters are too small for your roof. In this case, gutter guards wouldn’t solve your problem until you install larger, more appropriately sized gutters.

On the other hand, clogged gutters are a leading cause of gutter overflows, which allow water runoff to spill over the gutters and onto the ground below. This often leads to soil erosion, moisture damage, and mold. All three can become expensive to repair, so avoiding those problems in the first place is vital to saving money and preventing extensive damage to your home and property.

Sometimes it’s not easy for a homeowner to determine the cause of an overflow. In that case, calling a gutter and roofing professional for a free inspection would be prudent. They have the tools and training to diagnose your gutter problem and can help you avoid making unnecessary repairs while directing you to the right solution. 

Gutter Guard Checklist: Pre-purchase Considerations

When weighing any purchasing decision, it’s always wise to consider various factors that could impact your choices. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you have a lot of debris that falls on your roof and into gutters?
• Has maintaining your home’s gutter system become overwhelming?
• Are you comfortable climbing a ladder to clean your gutters or gutter guards?
• Can you afford to hire someone else to maintain and clean your gutter system?
• Is your property experiencing water runoff from your gutters, causing the soil to erode? Or is some of that runoff rotting your home’s fascia, soffit, or framing?
• Are gutter overflows becoming a problem for your home’s foundation? Or is standing water in your gutters attracting pest infestations?
• Does the climate and weather where you live make your gutter’s clogging problem worse? Do your area’s climate and weather conditions justify the financial investment of gutter guards?
• Do you know which style gutter guards is compatible with your roofing size and style? Can you select the best quality and durability to fit your needs? Or would you be better served getting advice from a professional?
• Will your existing roofing and gutter system’s warranties be compatible with any gutter guard solution? 
• Will gutter guards add or detract from your home’s curb appeal and value? 

Although gutter guards only perform one function, they can solve multiple problems. The real question is, “Are gutter guards worth it for your house?” The answer usually boils down to your budget, the degree of your problem, and your commitment to maintaining your home.

What are the Pros and Cons of Gutter Guards?

Is installing a leaf guard worth it? It’s always helpful to analyze potential benefits and compare them to the possible disadvantages. 

Here’s a list of the pros and cons of owning gutter guards.

Gutter Guard Pros: 

• Gutter guards prevent clogs caused by leaves, twigs, needles, and other debris. Without gutter guards, debris will become compacted inside the gutter. If that happens, the debris must be manually removed or prevented by installing some type of gutter guard.
• Some gutter guards are visible, and some are hidden. Some types of gutter guards can improve curb appeal by adding lateral support to the gutters. At the same time, some gutter guards are completely obscured from view.
• Gutter guards reduce or eliminate gutter overflows, which can cause erosion, rot, and pest infestation. Falling water can erode the topsoil, exposing tree roots and removing foundational support.
• They are available in a wide range of prices to fit your budget. Gutter guards are a popular home upgrade, so manufacturers make gutter guards to fit all budgets, from less expensive to higher-end models.
• Gutter guards improve water flow and drainage from your gutters. Gutters that drain poorly or not at all usually overflow, eroding the ground below. Gutter guards prevent the causes of the overflows, eliminating the problem before it can begin.
• They protect the gutters from rust and corrosion caused by the debris. Standing water is the enemy of any gutter system, as it wears away the protective coating. Gutter guards keep water runoff moving to prevent pooling inside the gutter.
• Gutter guards can prevent the ice dams, leaks, and wood rot responsible for most roof, siding, and foundation damage. Gutter guards help control the direction of the runoff, helping avoid seepage behind the siding, roof shingles, and foundation.

Gutter Guard Cons:

• Upfront costs can be significant due to the requirement for professional installation in some cases. 
• Some gutter guards require regular cleaning. Would you hire to get it done, or are you willing to take the time and energy to do it? On the other hand, some gutter companies have service contracts to do it for you. Also, higher-priced leaf guard systems will require less maintenance. 
• Eventually, all gutter guards need a gentle cleaning to remove the small accumulated debris, so there’s no such thing as “maintenance-free” gutter covers. 
• Mold can form if gutter guards are not allowed to dry out due to too much shade.
• Installing new gutter guards can void the warranty or insurance coverage of the roof or gutters if not installed by authorized installers on an approved, existing gutter system. Always check your warranty (if applicable) before installing any permanently-mounted gutter guards.
• Faulty installation of gutter guards can create more harm than good to both your home’s gutter system and roof. So getting an experienced and skilled gutter company to install your home’s gutter guards is vital. 
• Some types of gutter guards can be difficult to remove or replace. Most permanently mounted gutter guards make fastener holes in the gutters during installation. If the gutter guards are later removed, the gutters may not function properly.
• Some are incompatible or may not work effectively on all roofs or gutters. Certain gutter types aren’t friendly to gutter guards due to their design. If used anyway, the gutter guards may allow debris inside the gutter due to a poor fit.

Are Gutter Guards Worth It? 

Using our checklist of pros and cons, you can discern how much value gutter guards can bring to your home. Is your problem severe enough to warrant a solution? Are you sick of cleaning your gutters when you’d rather be watching your favorite game?

The bottom line is that a well-installed and maintained gutter guard system is well worth it for most homeowners and has more advantages than disadvantages. This often means having it professionally installed and having gutter experts regularly maintain your gutter guards.

If you’re researching gutter guards, chances are you suspect a problem. If you believe you have water damage, erosion, or pest infestation from clogged or overflowing gutters, you should get a gutter guard pro involved immediately.

Our gutter guard professionals are also roof, siding, and gutter experts, so we can identify and correct your gutter problems quickly and effectively while offering the most cost-effective solution for you.