What Are Screen Gutter Guards

Screen gutter guards are installed over the top of your gutters to filter out debris and dirt that could cause a clog. Screen gutter guards offer a good balance of cost versus performance.

The cost of screen gutter guards is relatively low compared to other types of gutter guards, and they are at home on common gutter types, like K style, half round, and box style. Screen gutter guards are not maintenance-free, however, as they require regular cleaning to remain effective.

We’ll provide an overview of screen gutter guards and their pros and cons. Other gutter covers may last longer or be more durable, but screen gutter guards are an excellent option for homeowners looking for value.

What are Screen Gutter Guards?

Screen gutter guards are a great solution for preventing larger debris like leaves and cones from clogging your gutters and downspouts. Most screen gutter guards are made with a metal lathe or vinyl screen and clip to the outer lip of the gutters.

How Do Screen Gutter Guards Work?

The gutter guard screen has holes specifically sized to allow water to pass through nearly unimpeded while catching floating debris. That said, some screens have smaller holes than others, making them less effective.

But with an optimally functioning screen gutter guard, runoff exits the roof, and the water flows through the screen instead of directly into the gutter while the debris stays on top. This process helps prevent large debris from causing a clog.

Screen gutter guards are very simple to attach and use compared to other gutter cover types, such as micro mesh and reverse curve. Most use a detachable clip to fasten to the gutter and fold back towards the roof.

Pros and Cons of Screen Gutter Guards

Screen gutter guards are ideal for the do-it-yourselfer who enjoys a little weekend home maintenance. Screen gutter guards are inexpensive, so if one becomes damaged, it is easily replaceable without disturbing the adjacent screens.

Screen gutter guards are very effective with larger debris, so if your problem is severe, you’ll likely clean them often. 

Some homeowners find that the constant cleaning becomes more of a hassle than it’s worth. Reverse curve gutter covers are a better choice if you want a solution that involves less cleaning.

Here are a few of the pros and cons of screen gutter guards:

Pros:

• Inexpensive to purchase and install
• Effective at filtering most debris
• Easily removed for cleaning
• Available in both non-corrosive metal and vinyl versions
• Easy to replace without disturbing other screens

Cons:

• Requires regular cleaning
• Less effective for smaller debris or if the problem is severe
• Not resistant to impacts and can easily detach

When Screen Gutter Guards Are Ideal

Gutter covers come in several designs, such as brush, foam, screen, mesh, and reverse curve. Some designs, such as reverse curve gutter guards, are better suited for severe debris, while others are appropriate in certain circumstances.

Screen gutter guards are ideal when:

• Your budget is limited. Screen gutter guards are inexpensive and available at any home improvement center.
• You’re a DIYer. Screen gutter guards, while easy to install, require attention to detail for maximum performance, so they may not be best for the time-strapped homeowner.
• The debris being filtered is not excessive or very heavy.  Screen gutter guards are also better at filtering larger debris rather than smaller debris.

When Other Guards Work Better

Certain conditions lend themselves better to other types of gutter covers. Screen gutter guards are notorious for allowing pine needles to drop through the holes in the screen vertically, impeding the water flow.

Here are a few examples of when another type of gutter guard might do a better job than a screen:

• Debris is excessive and uncontrollable, like from a neighbor’s overhanging tree.
• Needles make their way into your gutter system more than leaves and twigs.
• You prefer less maintenance over low price.
• You need a gutter guard that can resist impacts better. Gutter guards can often absorb a small impact without damage, but wind-driven debris can crack or dent them. Choose micro-mesh or reverse curve gutter covers for maximum impact resistance.

Maintenance Requirements

Screen gutter guards don’t require maintenance so much as they do regular cleaning. While mesh and reverse curve type gutter covers divert the debris away from the gutter opening, screen gutter guards simply filter the debris from the water. 

Like any filter, screen covers will need regular cleaning. Most owners clean screen gutter guards four times a year. But if your yard has little to no deciduous trees, you may be able to get away with cleaning your screen covers twice a year. 

Granules and other small debris can pass through some screen gutter guards. When this happens, it must be removed, or the gutters will become too heavy.

Cost Comparison

Here’s a cost comparison of screen gutter guards vs. brush, mesh, and reverse curve gutter covers:

Comparing Screen Gutter Guards to Other Gutter Covers

Here’s a handy chart comparing the benefits of screen gutter guards to other gutter cover designs. We’ll compare essential elements like cost, DIY friendliness, maintenance requirements, and durability.

Are Screen Gutter Guards Right For Your Home?

Now that you better understand how screen gutter guards work, you can decide if they are right for you and your home. 

To recap, screen gutter guards are great when low cost and DIY installation are preferred, but as with any filter-style gutter guard, they will require periodic cleaning and repair.

If regular cleaning and maintenance are not your thing, but you’re still interested in screen gutter guards, contact one of our local gutter pros for assistance.

We offer a free, no-obligation estimate for all gutter, siding, and roofing projects.