Gutter Guards: Types and Costs
Compare the main gutter guard types, what they cost and where each fits, or call for free quotes from a local company.
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Signs gutter guards could help
Guards make the most sense when your gutters clog often or are hard to reach.
Clogs come back fast
Your gutters fill up again within weeks of a cleaning, especially in fall. Guards can stretch the time between cleanings.
Pine needles
Needles slip through wide openings and pack into a dense mat. If pines hang over the roof, ask about guards with fine openings.
Seed pods and tassels
Spring seeds, oak tassels and pods can mat in an open gutter and even sprout there. Tell each company which trees drop debris on your roof.
Overflow in heavy rain
Water sheeting over the front often means a clog in the gutter or downspout. It can also mean a sag or a gutter too small for the roof, so have that checked first.
A roof that’s hard to reach
A tall, steep or two-story roof turns every cleaning into a long ladder job. Guards can mean fewer trips up.
Downspouts that keep clogging
Leaves and twigs that wash into a downspout can jam it where you can’t see. Keeping them out of the gutter helps keep the downspouts clear.
The main types of gutter guards
Gutter guards come in a few main types. They differ in what debris they block, how they handle a downpour, how they attach and what they cost. No single type is right for every house.
Micro-mesh guards stretch a very fine mesh over the gutter. They block small debris such as pine needles and shingle grit, and cost guides list metal micro-mesh among the longest-lasting types. They also cost more than most other guards, so on a lot with few trees, or trees that drop only big leaves, micro-mesh can be more than you need.
Screen guards and perforated aluminum covers have bigger openings. They keep out leaves and twigs and cost less, but needles, seeds and grit can get through or collect on the surface.
Reverse-curve guards, also called hood or surface-tension guards, are solid covers with a rounded front edge. Rain follows the curve into the gutter while leaves slide off. Cost guides list them among the longer-lasting types, but some warn they can struggle in hard storms or on steep roofs.
Foam and brush inserts sit inside the gutter. They’re simple to put in and among the cheaper options, which makes them a common DIY choice. They catch small debris over time and need pulling out for cleaning more often than covers do, and guides give foam one of the shortest lives.
Which type fits depends on what falls on your roof and how much rain you get. Tell each company which trees are nearby, and ask why they suggest the guard they do.
What gutter guards don’t do
Guards cut down on cleaning, but they don’t end it. Cost guides say to check them at least once a year and clear off anything lying on the surface. Foam and brush inserts have to come out to be cleaned.
Some designs can let water past in very heavy rain. Guides warn that foam and brush inserts can be overwhelmed and spill over, and that hood-style covers can struggle in hard storms or on steep roofs. If you get frequent downpours, ask how the guard you’re quoted handles them.
Some guards slide under the first row of shingles. Guides warn this can affect a roof warranty, so ask how the guard attaches, and check your roof warranty or ask your roofer before work starts.
Guards don’t fix the gutter underneath. A run that leaks, sags or is too small for the roof will still leak, sag or overflow with a guard on it.
New gutters or guards on the gutters you have?
If your gutters are sound, hold their slope and drain well, guards can usually go on them. Expect the company to clean the gutters out first and to price any repairs it finds.
If they leak at the seams, sag, pull away from the fascia, or overflow even when clean, fix or replace them first. A guard on a failing gutter adds cost without solving the problem.
If you’re replacing gutters anyway, ask for a price with guards included. Cost guides note that adding guards during a new gutter install is often a way to save money. The table below shows a typical range for new gutters with guards.
Some systems replace the gutter itself with a one-piece gutter and built-in hood. If you’re offered one, compare its price with new standard gutters plus a separate guard.
Questions to ask a gutter guard company
Ask which guard type and material they suggest, and why it suits the trees around your house. If they suggest micro-mesh, ask whether a simpler guard would do the job on your lot.
Ask how it attaches: set inside the gutter, fastened to the gutter or fascia, or slid under the shingles. If it touches the roof, ask how that affects your roof warranty.
Ask how the guard gets cleaned, how often they expect it will need it, and whether it can come off without damage if the gutters need work later.
Get a written quote with the guard type, the price per foot, the total length and any cleaning or repairs. Ask what the guard maker’s warranty covers, since some makers offer one only when a pro installs the guards.
Ask for proof of liability insurance before work starts. SirGutters lists companies from their own websites and doesn’t check licenses or insurance.
What gutter guards cost
These are national ranges from published cost guides, not quotes. The guides disagree a lot, and most don’t say whether their prices by guard type include labor.
| Work | Typical range | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Guards installed on a typical whole house | $650–$6,000 | per job |
| Guards installed by a company, any type | $3–$40 | per foot |
| Micro-mesh guards | $6–$25 | per foot |
| Screen or metal mesh guards | $1–$8 | per foot |
| Perforated aluminum guards (materials only) | $1–$4 | per foot |
| Reverse-curve (hood) guards | $3–$10 | per foot |
| Foam inserts | $1–$7 | per foot |
| Brush inserts | $2–$8 | per foot |
| Labor to install guards | $50–$149 | per hour |
| Guards bought for a DIY install (materials only) | $1–$8 | per foot |
| New aluminum gutters with mid-range guards, about 150 feet | $1,350–$3,750 | per job |
Typical market ranges from published cost guides. Not quotes, and not SirGutters pricing. Sources: todayshomeowner.com, modernize.com, thisoldhouse.com, fixr.com.
Your price depends on the guard type, how many feet of gutter you have, how high and steep the roof is, and whether the gutters need cleaning or repair first. To compare fairly, ask each company for a written, installed price per foot and the total length it measured.
Gutter guards near you
City pages list local companies that offer this work, with their own phone numbers and websites.
Other guides: gutter repair, gutter cleaning, gutter installation.
Common gutter guard questions
Plain answers to what homeowners ask before they hire anyone.
Call (478) 606‑6430How much do gutter guards cost?
It depends mostly on the guard type, how many feet of gutter you have, and how hard the roof is to work on. Most U.S. homes have between 150 and 250 feet of gutter, according to Today’s Homeowner. The table above shows national ranges from cost guides, and a local company prices your job after seeing it.
Do gutter guards still need cleaning?
Yes. Guards cut down on cleaning but don’t end it. Cost guides say to check them at least once a year and clear off anything lying on the surface. Foam and brush inserts have to come out to be cleaned.
What kind of gutter guard handles pine needles?
Needles can slip through standard screens, and brush inserts need frequent cleaning where pines drop needles. Cost guides usually point to fine micro-mesh for needles and other small debris. Needles can still collect on the surface of any guard, so plan to brush them off now and then.
Will gutter guards void my roof warranty?
It depends on the guard and on your roof warranty. Some guards slide under the first row of shingles, and some guides warn this can affect a roof warranty. Ask the company how its guard attaches, and check your warranty or ask your roofer before work starts.
Can I install gutter guards myself?
Many foam, brush and screen guards are sold for DIY, and the table above includes typical DIY material prices. Ladder work carries real risk, especially on a two-story house. Some guard makers offer a warranty only when a pro installs the guards, so check before you buy.
Should I replace my gutters before adding guards?
Only if they need it. Guards can go on gutters that are sound and drain well. If yours leak, sag or overflow even when clean, fix or replace them first, and ask for a price with guards included.
How does SirGutters choose which companies to list?
We list companies whose own website says they do the work, and each listing shows when we last checked. A listing isn’t a recommendation. SirGutters doesn’t check licenses or insurance, so ask for proof of insurance before work starts. Companies can ask us to update or remove their listing.
Want quotes for gutter guards?
Call or send one free request, and a participating local company that installs gutter guards gets back to you.
Free call. Connects you with a local gutter pro. Calls may be recorded.