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Gutter Guard Cost

Gutter Guard Cost

We’ve all been there at some time or another: Your rain gutter is clogged with leaves and other debris, and you need to climb up a ladder to clear out the gunk or hire a professional to do it for you. No one looks forward to this, especially when it needs to be done two or three times a year.

You need a solution that will prevent leaves and other debris from clogging your drains and reduce water damage to your home. You’ve done your research and have wisely decided to install gutter guards.

You want the best quality gutter guards, professionally installed at a price you can afford. But how much does gutter guard installation cost? Can you afford it? And is it worth the investment? In this article, we’ll answer these questions and more.

Is Gutter Guard Installation Expensive?

No two homes are exactly alike. As with any home improvement, the cost of gutter guard installation varies, depending on several factors. These include:

As a homeowner, you know the cost of home improvement can soon sky-rocket—especially if you attempt a job yourself and then need to call in the professionals. Fortunately, when it comes to gutter guards, you can have quality gutter guards installed by experts without needing to remortgage your home.

Most estimates place the overall cost of gutter guard installation around $1,000 to $7,000. Architectural Digest says the average cost is between $900 and $2,000, with the average home requiring about 200 linear feet of material. They estimate high-end installation with quality materials between $1,500 and $5,000.

Forbes notes that at the low end—for a small house using plastic screen gutter guards—you could pay as little as $200 if you install them yourself. However, it’s important to consider whether that will truly benefit you and your home in the long run.

Is Gutter Guard Installation Worth the Cost?

Cleaning out your gutters is a necessity if you want to avoid water damage to your home. How often you clean them depends on where you live. If you have a lot of leaves, sticks, and debris regularly clogging your gutters, you may be tired of the dirty, time-consuming, and potentially dangerous chore of cleaning them out.

Nothing beats seeing the glorious colors of fall leaves, but you’re probably not thinking of that when you’re scooping out those same soggy leaves from your gutters. Even the most die-hard fall fans agree they’d rather be kicking their way through the leaves than getting their hands dirty clearing them out of the gutters.

On the one hand, you can simply ignore the problem, but that could lead to roof damage, erosion around your home, foundation cracking, and other problems. You could regularly hire a professional to take care of the cleaning, but that can get very expensive over time.

Properly installed by expertly trained local professionals, quality gutter guards reduce the frequency of cleaning out your gutters. They can help prevent water damage, pest infestations, mold, fire loss, and more while making your life easier.

How Much Are Gutter Guards Per Foot?

When considering gutter guards, it’s essential to understand the cost implications associated with different materials and installation options. Here’s a breakdown of the most commonly used materials, their cost per linear foot, and average installation costs for a 2,300-square-foot home:

  1. Steel Screen:
    • Cost Per Linear Foot: $1.50 to $3.50
    • Installation Cost: $800 to $1,500
    • Total Cost: $1,100 to $2,200
  2. Micro-Mesh:
    • Cost Per Linear Foot: $2 to $4
    • Installation Cost: $900 to $2,000
    • Total Cost: $1,300 to $2,800
  3. Foam:
    • Cost Per Linear Foot: $2 to $3.25
    • Installation Cost: $300 to $700 or DIY
    • Total Cost: $700 to $1,350
  4. Plastic:
    • Cost Per Linear Foot: $0.40 to $1
    • Installation Cost: $50 to $200
    • Total Cost: $130 to $400
  5. Brush:
    • Cost Per Linear Foot: $3 to $4.25
    • Installation Cost: $600 to $900 or DIY
    • Total Cost: $1,200 to $1,750
  6. Gutter Helmets or Surface Tension:
    • Cost Per Linear Foot: $3.50 to $6.50
    • Installation Cost: $1,000 to $5,000
    • Total Cost: $1,700 to $6,900

These costs serve as estimates and may vary depending on factors such as the size and complexity of your home, local labor rates, and additional features or customization options. It’s advisable to consult with a professional to determine the most suitable gutter guard solution for your specific needs and budget.

Which Gutter Guard Material is Best?

With so many gutter guard materials to choose from, you might be tempted to choose the option that best suits your budget. However, as is usually the case with home improvement, there are other considerations beyond the upfront cost, such as:

For starters, you should consider where you live, what type of debris you usually encounter, and how long you want the gutter guard to last.

Steel Screen

These are made of large-gauge steel screens mounted on plastic frames. They have large holes in the screening that allow some debris through, but they are easily removable for occasional cleaning. These are attached under the first layer of shingles. However, when installed incorrectly, they may damage the roof, so it’s necessary to use caution when adhering to your home or call a professional to properly install.

Micro-Mesh

These may be constructed out of aluminum or steel. The base of a micro-mesh gutter guard consists of a fine screen that is then overlaid with a wire mesh. As the screen keeps out larger debris, the fine mesh catches smaller bits. These are more expensive but more effective in general as they dramatically reduce the need for cleaning.

Foam

Made of polyurethane foam pieces that fit inside the gutter, these prevent debris from settling in while allowing water through. They can be cost-effective and may last up to 10 years. However, if you live in a wet, humid climate, they’re not the best choice as they can encourage the growth of fungus or mold. Seedlings may also take root and grow inside your gutters, so it’s best to avoid this option if you have heavy tree coverage.

Plastic

Plastic gutter guards are made from PVC and are the least expensive option. These gutter guards filter out large items but allow smaller debris through. It’s also worth noting that if you have strong winds in your area, they may blow away as they are not attached to the gutters, but simply installed inside them.

Brush

This type of gutter guard is a bristly round brush held together at the center by a metal wire. It catches leaves and debris in the bristles and allows them to blow away once dry, but may allow smaller items through. You can easily remove brush guards for cleaning when needed.

Surface Tension Gutter Helmets

Made of solid metal sheeting, these gutter guards curve over the gutter to direct water inside while encouraging debris to slide over the gutter guard. These are efficient but also more expensive. They may not be the best option for gutter protection in areas where heavy rainfall is typical as the water may skate right off the edge of the roof, escaping the gutter altogether.

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