What are gutter guards, and should you get them?
Short answer. Gutter guards are covers or inserts that sit over or inside your gutters to let water in while keeping leaves, needles and other debris out. You should get them if your house sits under heavy trees, has hard-to-reach gutters, or has a history of clogged downspouts, but probably not if you have a one-story house on an open lot where a quick cleaning twice a year does the job.
The main types
- Micro-mesh. Fine metal mesh on a frame. Best all-around performance, especially on pine needles.
- Perforated covers. Aluminum sheets with holes. Durable, good on broad leaves.
- Screens. Plastic or metal grids. Inexpensive, more maintenance.
- Hoods. Solid covers that use surface tension. Good at shedding leaves, prone to overshoot in heavy rain.
- Foam and brush inserts. Easy to install, least effective over time.
Quick decision guide
Get them if:
- Pines or large oaks hang over or near the roof.
- Any gutters are on the second story or above a steep slope.
- You are cleaning more than twice a year, or paying someone to.
- You have had overflow, fascia rot or a damp crawl space.
Probably skip them if:
- The house is one story with few trees nearby.
- The gutters are near replacement; wait and do both together.
- The gutters overflow even when clean; fix size and slope first.
If you get them
Choose a guard that fastens to the gutter, not under the shingles. Expect to brush or rinse the surface once or twice a year, particularly after spring pollen. For details, see gutter sizing and guards and pine needles and leaves on the roof.