What Does Gutter Guard Installation Cost? (2024)
Typical costs range between $1,000 to $2,000 with an average of $1,400.
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The average cost of professional gutter guard installation is $1,400, but a homeowner can typically expect to pay between $1,000 to $2,000. Breaking this down further, the average cost range for gutter guard installation is $5 to $10 per linear foot of material or $0.50 to $1.00 per square foot of a home. Therefore, a typical home of approximately 2,000 square feet would require 200 linear feet of materials.
Gutter guards provide a protective layer to your gutters that prevent leaves, pine needles, and other debris from making their way into the gutters which can cause them to clog and overflow. Below, we’ll break down the installation cost of different types of gutter guards to help you determine which are the best gutter guards for your home and budget.
The Cost of Gutter Guard Installation
Below is a breakdown of gutter guard material costs, installation labor costs, and estimated total costs for professionally installed gutter guards.
| Cost | Material Price per Linear Foot | Material Cost for 200 Linear Feet | Labor Cost for Installation* | Total Projected Installation Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Foam |
$2–$3.25 |
$400–$650 |
$300–$700 |
$700–$1,350 |
|
Brush |
$3–$4.25 |
$600–$850 |
$600–$900 |
$1200–$1,750 |
|
Plastic screen |
$0.40–$1 |
$80–$200 |
$50–$200 |
$130–$400 |
|
Steel screen |
$1.50–$3.50 |
$300–$700 |
$800–$1,500 |
$1,100–$2,200 |
|
Reverse Curve |
$3.50–$6.50 |
$700–$1,900 |
$1,000–$5,000 |
$1,700–$6,900 |
|
Micro-Mesh |
$2–$4 |
$400–$800 |
$900–$2,000 |
$1,300–$2,800 |
*This cost data was based on the national average for a 2,300-square-foot home across multiple sources.
Keep in mind that material prices and installation costs may vary from location to location. Therefore, we suggest you gather a few quotes from general contractors and gutter guard services in your area to compare pricing and products.
| Product Image | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LeafFilter |  |  | A+ | Visit Site | |
| LeafGuard |  |  | A+ | Visit Site | |
| Gutter Guards America |  |  | A+ | Visit Site | |
| All American |  |  | A | Visit Site | |
| HomeCraft |  |  | B | Visit Site |
| LeafFilter | |
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| BBB Rating | A+ |
| LeafGuard | |
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| Gutter Guards America | |
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| BBB Rating | A+ |
| All American | |
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| BBB Rating | A |
| HomeCraft | |
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| BBB Rating | B |
Types of Gutter Guards
Each type of gutter guard provides a different approach to keeping debris out of your gutters. It’s essential to take note of the debris building up in your gutters to find a gutter guard that’s worth it for your home.
Also, gutter guards are susceptible to ice dams. If you reside in a snowy or icy climate, you may want to look into a gutter guard company that offers heating elements.
Learn more about each type of gutter guard below.
Foam
This gutter guard is an easy-to-install piece of foam that fits into your gutters. The foam lets water flow through it while debris sits on top of the gutter. However, debris may still fall from the foam into your gutters, and clogging may still occur with significant leaf buildup. It’s also possible for seedlings and trees to take root and grow inside the foam guard, causing damage to gutters and becoming a fire hazard. As a result, these guards require yearly cleaning—on par with typical gutter cleanings.
Recommendation: Overall, this type of gutter guard should be viewed as a short-term solution.
Brush
Brush gutter guards use large bristles to capture debris, allowing water to pass through easily. Like foam guards, they are easy to install by inserting them into your existing gutter.
Brush gutter guards are best suited for large debris, such as leaves and pine cones. Smaller debris, such as maple spinners and pine needles, may get stuck in the bristles and cause clogging. As a result, you’ll need to remove the brush guards completely to clean them annually.
Recommendation: Brush guards are a low-cost option for homeowners on a budget and those with fewer linear feet of gutters to cover.
Screen
Screen gutter guards are similar to a screen door and snap onto your existing gutters. They can be made of plastic or metal and feature large holes that rainwater flows through while keeping larger debris out. Because the holes in the screen are larger than some other types of gutter guards, smaller debris may still get through.
Recommendation: Screen guards require yearly cleaning and are not ideal for homeowners in windy areas, as they may blow off gutters.
Reverse Curve or Surface Tension
Reverse curve, also known as surface tension, gutter guards feature a design that moves rainwater down into your gutters but utilizes the flow of water and surface tension to push leaves and other debris to drop down to the ground. Though some debris may stick during heavy downpours, you should be able to brush this debris off or wait until it dries and falls to the ground.
Often, reverse curve gutter guards require the entire replacement of your gutter system and for roof shingles to be moved to install them. This installation may conflict with your roof warranty. Additionally, these gutter guards are typically visible from the ground, so they are often considered less aesthetically appealing than other guards.
Recommendation: Reverse curve guards are best for homeowners who are less concerned with aesthetic appeal and care more about efficiency. It’s also an option if you reside around heavier foliage.
Mesh or Micro-Mesh
Mesh and micro-mesh gutter guards are similar to screen guards but feature a more compact design that blocks more debris, including small debris such as pine needles. As a result, mesh and micro-mesh gutter guards are the most effective guards. However, they typically require professional installation and are not suited for DIYers.
Mesh and micro-mesh gutter guard companies claim you’ll never have to clean your gutters again. This is a bit of an overstatement—you may still have debris accumulate after a bout of inclement weather. However, you should be able to brush the remaining debris off after the weather has cleared, or you might wait for it to dry up and fall to the ground.
Recommendation: Mesh and micro-mesh screen guards are our top recommendations for gutter guards. They are good for homeowners with various foliage types and those who care about efficiency and the aesthetic appeal of their home.
Other Factors to Consider
We have listed some of the most significant factors to consider when looking for the right gutter guard for you.
DIY vs. Professional Installation
Depending on your choice of gutter guards, you can elect to do it yourself. Drop-in type guards, such as foam and brush, are the simplest to install. Unfortunately, these guards require the most frequent routine maintenance and cleaning. If you’re looking for the easiest and most efficient system, DIY options will probably come up short.
Higher-quality gutter guards—such as surface tension, mesh, and micro-mesh—are more difficult to install and should be handled by a professional. These types of gutter covers tend to use hidden fasteners that attach your guard to your roof’s fascia, leading to a more durable and secure gutter guard.
Professional gutter guard installation also includes other gutter services, such as installing new gutters, downspouts, and downspout extensions. Additionally, a full-service gutter company is more likely to include a warranty on the materials and the installation.
Materials Used
For a higher-quality gutter guard, we recommend heavy-duty metals. Gutter guards that use plastics are more susceptible to swelling and cracking, while foam gutter guards are susceptible to mold growth and fire hazards from seedlings.
Depending on the gutter guard company, heating elements can be installed within the gutter guard to combat ice dams. This option is available only for guards that use metal materials, and you typically find them in mesh, micro-mesh, and surface tension gutter guards.
- Stainless steel: Popular in micro-mesh and reverse-curve gutter guards, stainless steel is one of the most durable options. It avoids rust, corrosion, expansion, and warping.
- Copper: Cooper offers similar results but is a rarer material. It’s a great option if your home already features copper gutters and you’re looking to preserve the elegant look.
- Aluminum: Aluminum also helps avoid rust and corrosion, but it is not as rugged as stainless steel. Tree branches and pine cones might pierce aluminum guards.
- Plastic: Screen gutter guards are typically available in either plastic or steel. Often plastic is used to create the curve in reverse-curve guards and the frame of guards.
Warranty Included
Gutter guards installed by professional full-service companies will usually come with a warranty that extends 20 years or longer. Many companies also provide transferable lifetime warranties, which are a great option if you plan to sell your home.
Our Recommendation
We recommend you consider the information above to determine which gutter guard is best for you based on your home’s needs. Here are some of our top recommendations for gutter guards:
LeafFilter
Best Overall
Gutter Guards America
HomeCraft
Best Add-On Services
How We Chose the Top Gutter Guard Providers
We researched and analyzed dozens of gutter guards and gutter guard companies to create an in-depth review methodology. We formulated a rating system based on the factors homeowners find most important. We evaluated each provider’s gutter guard design and aesthetics, service offerings, customer service and communication, quote process, warranties, and financing options.
We created a separate rating system for DIY-installed gutter guards sold on retailer sites. We evaluated these guards based on their quality of materials, aesthetics, communication, warranty, customer reviews, and cost.
We evaluated each provider’s reputation using independent, third-party sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Google My Business pages. For products, we analyzed the customer reviews on whichever online retailer primarily hosts the product.
