How Much Does It Cost to Install Gutter Guards (in 2024)?

Updated

August 19, 2024

Author

Sarah Mason

Read Time

6 minutes

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.

In this article:

Is Gutter Guard Installation Expensive?
Is Gutter Guard Installation Worth the Cost?
How Much Are Gutter Guards Per Foot?
Which Gutter Guard Material is Best?
Final Thoughts
Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gutter Guard Installation Expensive?

We believe that everyone deserves top-notch gutter protection without breaking the bank.💰 With LeafFilter, you can say goodbye to clogged gutters and hello to savings! Check out our pricing here: https://t.co/PlQg9QglQw pic.twitter.com/zKJZRk0zu9

— LeafFilter Gutter Protection (@LeafFilter) July 31, 2023

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

The size of your home
Your roof configuration and type (complex roof lines will increase material and labor costs)
Your geographic location (installation costs vary across the country)
The size and condition of your gutters (do they require repair before gutter guard installation?)
The type of gutter guards you get
Whether you install the gutter guards yourself or pay for professional installation

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.

For more, check out “How Much Does Gutter Installation Cost?”

How Much Are Gutter Guards Per Foot?

As you might expect, the cost of gutter guards will vary depending on what they’re made of. Here is a breakdown of the most commonly used materials and what they cost per linear foot, as well as an average installation cost for a 2,300-square-foot home.*

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

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:

Durability and replacements: Can the gutter guards withstand the typical environmental conditions where you live? How often would you need to replace them?
Warranty: What happens if your gutter guards fail or if they become damaged?
Maintenance requirements: How complicated are the maintenance requirements, and how often is maintenance necessary?

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.

Final Thoughts

The cost of gutter guard installation is well worth it when considering the costly repairs and expenses you could incur due to damage to your home without them—not to mention the inconvenience of having to clear your gutters of soggy leaves and debris!

That’s where LeafFilter’s stainless steel micro mesh gutter guards come in. Our patented technology not only prevents leaves from falling into the gutters but also blocks even the smallest debris from getting through.

Whether it’s pollen, dirt, shingle grit or pine needles, our gutter guards will block them all. Only water is allowed through, thereby eliminating clogs inside your gutters and reducing maintenance demands.

In addition, LeafFilter’s gutter guards are professionally installed by our local experts at a time that’s right for you, saving you the inconvenience of having to find the time to do it yourself.

Call us today to learn more at 1-800-290-6106, or visit https://www.leaffilter.com/ for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does adding gutter guards increase home value?

This depends on the type of gutter guards you install. Quality gutter guards that are professionally installed can help your gutter system function for a longer period of time. In doing so, they can help prevent serious foundation problems, water damage, and roof damage—all of which will help sustain your home’s value over time.

At what time of year should you install gutter guards?

In most regions, late summer or early fall is best—particularly, August and September. There is usually less rain during this time, making gutter guard installation easier. The majority of leaves have yet to fall, so your gutters are typically not as clogged as they would be during the months of October and November.

By having gutter guards installed at this time, you can also enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your gutter guards have been professionally installed and are keeping debris from clogging inside your gutters throughout the fall and winter months.

How long do gutter guards last?

Plastic and vinyl guards that you install yourself will only last about 5-10 years, but premium gutter guards are made of surgical grade stainless steel and uPVC that won’t warp or deteriorate over time. Gutter guards that are made with durable materials and patented gutter guard technology ensure your gutter guards last for decades.

Are gutter guards available in my area?

Gutter guard installation service is available in most cities and towns across the country. Check below for a location near you.