If you have been on a quest for a 3-inch gutter guard, chances are you have been unsuccessful. The reason is 3-inch gutter guards are nearly impossible to find. The standard gutter sizes are 4, 5, 6, and sometimes even 7 inches. Chances are your gutters are 4 inches, and they are built that way for a reason.
275-micron stainless steel mesh design
Lifetime installation warranty
Offers new gutter installation services
Manufactured to match your home
One-piece system includes a guard and gutter
Guaranteed not to clog
Sturdy aluminum frame and steel screens
Offers 0% financing
Provides gutter repair & installation
Three inch gutters are not typically wide enough to remove water from your roof at a fast pace. This is why the 4-inch gutter is a better solution. Whether you are ready for new gutters or simply looking for a solution to keep debris out of your current gutter, we have come up with some of the best options on the market. Let’s look at the best kind of gutter guards for your home and how you can cross gutter cleaning off your list of things to do.
Our Top Five 3-Inch Gutter Guards
At Today’s Homeowner, we have done extensive testing on all different types of gutter guards as well as different sizes of gutter guards. The 3-inch gutter guard is not an option from any of the top manufacturers as a custom or ready-made solution. Most of the guards on our list will be the 4-inch gutter guards as this is the best overall choice. Companies like LeafFilter Gutter Guards will also install new 4-inch gutters if that is something that can solve your issues in looking for the 3-inch gutter guard. Also, keep in mind that the gutter guard typically fits under the first row of shingles and then over the edge of the guard, so the measurement could be the issue with trying to find the 3-inch size. Here is how the top five 3-inch gutter guards ranked.
Compare the Best 3-Inch Gutter Guards
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LeafFilter
4.1
Our Rating
LeafFilter gutter guards are the best solution for 3-inch gutter guards on the market. Like other top manufacturers, LeafFilter does not make a 3-inch gutter guard, but they will create custom solutions for smaller 4-inch gutter guards. In addition, LeafFilter has more than 15 years of experience installing new gutters with the guards. LeafFilter is truly the leading company in gutter guard manufacturing, development, and installation.
Professional installation is required for LeafFilter guards. The process of working with LeafFilter gutter guards is seamless, and they have managed to earn an A+ rating with the BBB. One of the reasons that LeafFilter stands out is the 275-micron steel mesh material used in the guards. This material will keep both large and small debris from entering the gutters. If you are tired of cleaning gutters and want a heavy duty product with a lifetime warranty, LeafFilter gutter guards are the best choice. For more information and pricing on gutter guard installation read our full article on the subject.
- Micro-mesh technology
- Customizable for many gutter sizes
- Guards are rustproof
- Professional installation with a lifetime warranty
- A+ rating from BBB
LeafFilter has an A+ rating for their gutter guard from the BBB. It takes close attention to detail and responsiveness to customers to earn this rating. In addition to the strong BBB rating, LeafFilter also has more than 86,000 customer reviews on Trustpilot. The total star rating after these reviews is 4.4 out of 5 stars. You will have a hard time finding a company that has more positive reviews than LeafFilter.
Overall you will see that the reviews are overwhelmingly positive and talk about the gutters of the home starting to truly function as they should. In addition, homeowners say that in heavy rain, the LeafFilter guards hold up considerably better than others on the market. Whether your typical weather conditions are cold or warm, LeafFilter has the ability to handle the changes. The only major complaint customers had was some inconsistency with the installation. LeafFilter will often find a local gutter guard installer to complete the installation of your project, and this can cause issues with scheduling. Make sure you talk to your LeafFilter representative about who will be installing the guards, and any trouble here can be avoided.
HomeCraft Gutter Protection
4.4
Our Rating
HomeCraft Gutter Protection is the best gutter guard design for 3-inch gutter guards. This product is again available in the 4-inch size and not specifically the 3-inch. HomeCraft Gutter Protection was explicitly designed to keep small debris out of your gutter guards. The technology used here is a raised mesh design that also allows for higher water flow, even if the tops of the guards are blocked. When the leaves or debris are lifted, water can still flow underneath.
HomeCraft Gutter Protection guards are installed professionally. Things like leaves, pine needles, sticks, and acorns will no longer be able to make their way into your gutters. The HomeCraft Gutter Protection guards come with a lifetime transferable warranty. If you sell your home, you will be able to offer the HomeCraft warranty to the new owner. Gutter guards can be a tremendous selling point for homeowners looking to add value to their homes.
- Durable 275-micron steel mesh,
- Patented system to help improve water flow
- 304 marine-grade stainless steel
- Lifetime transferable warranty
- Unique design, unlike other gutter covers
The HomeCraft Gutter Protection guards are available in about 15 states, and the company still seems to be growing. The overall number of reviews is not nearly the same as you will find with LeafFilter, but there is a BBB rating of a B for HomeCraft. In addition, HomeCraft features 4.7 out of 5 stars which is quite impressive. One of the most positive features you will see from HomeCraft is the lifetime transferable warranty and the durability of the marine grade stainless steel.
HomeCraft Gutter Protection reviews show that customers had a good amount of water flow even in heavy rain. The roof shingles were not damaged by the gutter guards as the guard is installed directly to the gutter. HomeCraft Gutter Protection does not work well with a plastic gutter or for those looking for a DIY solution for screen gutter guards. One thing to be sure of when ordering the HomeCraft Gutter Protection guards is that you check the exact color you want, as there were some complaints about the shades being slightly off.
All American Gutter Protection
4.1
Our Rating
All American Gutter Protection is the most customizable 3-inch gutter guard. The All American Gutter Protection Guard does not come in the 3-inch size, as 4-inch is the smallest that they will make. However, this All American Gutter Protection guard has been on the market for more than 7 years, and it does a tremendous job of keeping debris out of your gutters. In addition, with more than 30 colors available, this is the most customizable gutter guard in the industry.
Homeowners concerned with BBB ratings will find All American Gutter Protection to have an A+. The stainless steel material placed on top of the gutters is extremely durable and will never corrode or rust. The sides of the gutter guard are an aluminum material that helps to reduce the overall weight on your rain gutters. All American Gutter Protection Guards are available in more than 15 states, and they are professionally installed.
- High-quality stainless steel metal gutters
- Lifetime warranty when professionally installed
- Gutter guards are rust-proof
- Over 30 color options for customers to choose
- Aluminum frame material for longevity
With 7 years in the industry, All American Gutter Protection has a good number of reviews and ratings. The first and probably most important is the A+ rating from the BBB. In addition to this A+ rating, the BBB also gave All American Gutter Protection 4.5 out of 5 stars. Complaints and issues that homeowners had with their home’s gutters clogging, or the gutter guard starting to separate from the gutter, were handled by All American Gutter Protection professionals.
The lifetime warranty of the All American Gutter Protection guards will help homeowners that are worried about recurring costs of gutter protection. Having your gutters protected for years to come is a tremendous benefit. The main issues that homeowners had were installers not showing up on time or the project taking more than a few days to complete. The weather has to cooperate for an installation to take place. In the end, most are very happy with the All American Gutter Guards‘ capability and performance.
MasterShield
4.5
Our Rating
The MasterShield Gutter Guard is the most environmentally friendly 3-inch gutter guard on the market. MasterShield offers a standard 4-inch solution that comes with a lifetime warranty and is made of recycled metal products. The MasterShield Gutter guards have a unique design that will match the pitch of your roof. In fact, if you do have a gutter measuring under 4 inches, this is a guard that may be able to work to reduce debris buildup and fit appropriately over your current gutter system. This could prevent you from having to buy a new system and save you from the sometimes steep cost of gutter installation.
The angled design ensures that water can flow quickly into the gutters, and the leaves, sticks, and acorns simply slide down the roof. The MasterShield gutter guard is a micro-mesh guard that will hold up well in various climates. MasterShield also offers some unique options when it comes to heated gutter guards. A heated cable can be incorporated into this design to help with ice dams and the hassle caused by frozen gutters.
Castle Windows is the best choice for homeowners seeking comprehensive, long-term warranty protection for their replacement windows. The company provides lifetime guarantees on windows and workmanship, giving customers some of the best buyer protection in the industry.
Castle’s protection applies to window units, glass, and labor, as long as the windows remain in their original openings. Even if you sell your home, its Castle Windows will retain non-prorated protection with transferable lifetime warranty coverage.
Castle provides customers with additional support in its troubleshooting and service guides. The troubleshooting guide provides extensive window maintenance and repair information, and the service guide video tutorials visually demonstrate how to care for your Castle Windows products.
- Pitched design to push debris off
- Lifetime warranty
- More than 14 color options
- Made from recycled materials
- Helps prevent a blockage in the downspout
MasterShield is not the largest gutter guard provider. In fact, finding a review for the MasterShield gutter guards can be a bit more complicated than with something like LeafFilter. The BBB does not accredit MasterShield at this time, but they do have 3 out of 5 stars. The star rating is about average, and some of the reasons behind the rating have to do with the visibility of the gutter guard.
With MasterShield Gutter Guards being installed on an angle, there is sometimes trouble with the visibility of the product. When looking from the ground up at the roof, the guards are easy to see. If you have a particular home design that prevents this, MasterShield may not be the gutter guard of choice. In addition, some homeowners struggled with the 14 color options looking slightly different than expected. Some MasterShield representatives will have color samples to look at, and this is typically a good solution.
Raptor Micro-Mesh Gutter Guard
2.6
Our Rating
The Raptor gutter guards are the best DIY mesh 3-inch gutter guards on the market. The smallest size from Raptor Gutter Guards is the 4-inch size, but these guards are typically quite easy to install with K Style gutters. When purchasing the Raptor Gutter Guards, you will get the self-tapping screws necessary to effortlessly install the Raptor guard. If you are comfortable with DIY type home improvement projects, the Raptor gutter guards are a great choice.
One of the most impressive features of the Raptor gutter guards is the 25-year warranty. A typical DIY type gutter guard will not come with nearly as long of a warranty. Homeowners that are concerned with the initial investment into these guards will be pleasantly surprised by what the Raptor gutter guards have to offer. To order Raptor gutter guards, simply measure the number of linear feet of gutter you have on your home.
- 25-year warranty
- Rustproof gutter guards with lots of availability
- Several sizes available
- Stainless steel material
- Any homeowner can install without professional help
The Raptor gutter guards are sold on Amazon and can be purchased all over the United States. The Raptor guards are a popular product on Amazon and have more than 4000 reviews. The total star rating of all these reviews is 4.6 out of 5 stars. Homeowners are overall quite happy with the capability of these gutter guards and the ability to reduce the number of gutter cleanings each year. Many DIY products have complaints about the installation process, but that wasn’t an issue with Raptor.
One of the main issues you will notice with Raptor gutter guards is the ability to keep up in really heavy rain. Raptor gutter guards are resistant to corrosion, and one of the top picks on the market for DIY installation leaf guards. The only real issue seems to be that water will flow over the gutter’s edge when the rain comes down hard. The small hole size blocks out debris, but it makes it more difficult for heavy rain to fit through when it comes down fast. Be smart about the gutter guard you choose for the weather conditions you face.
Buying Guide for 3-Inch Gutter Guards
We have now shown that many of the gutter guards on the market offer easy installation, impressive warranties, and high quality materials. The problem for some is that the 3-inch gutter guard is not typically available. If you can make a 4-inch gutter guard work, or you opt for a complete gutter and guard installation, the need for 3-inch gutter guards should not be necessary.
Quality
The highest quality gutter guards on the market are stainless steel micro-mesh. The micro-mesh design combines durability and functionality to be a high quality solution. Some homeowners find that foam, brush, PVC, and aluminum gutter guard options are not quite as strong as metal gutter guards and will deteriorate at a faster pace. Paying for quality from the start could mean that you have much fewer issues with the longevity and performance of your gutter guards long term.
Cost
The cost of a gutter guard will depend on the size of your home, the types of gutter guards you choose, and the size of your current gutters. The DIY gutter guards tend to be the lowest in price because there is no need for high professional installation costs. In addition, something like a brush gutter guard with plastic bristles will be cheaper than a surface tension aluminum gutter guard. The stainless steel micro-mesh gutter guard is the most expensive but also the longest lasting.
Installation
Gutter guards can be installed professionally or as a DIY type product. Some companies like LeafFilter require that you have a professional installation as this is the only way the product is sold. However, easy installation for certain snap-in or slide-in products are a popular choice for many homeowners. For DIY type gutter guards, the fasteners and hangers are typically sold with the product.
Appearance
When gutter guards are first installed, they will likely be quite visible because they are a new addition to the home. Most homeowners say that over time, the look of the guard does not stand out. Certain products that are installed at the same pitch of the roof are highly visible. If you opt for something like this, make sure to consider the color choices you have for gutter guards. Some colors will match your roof or current gutters to help them blend in a bit better.
Size Options
The standard size gutter guards are 4, 5, and 6 inches. Some home gutter guard providers offer custom sizing for their guards, but this is rare and considerably more expensive. If you have measured your gutters and determined that they are not quite 4 inches, many 4-inch gutter guards will still fit. Sometimes there is trial and error with a gutter guard system before you find the perfect one.
Warranty
The best 3-inch gutter guards on the market will come with a warranty of at least 25-years. Many gutter guard providers will offer a lifetime warranty for their guards, making it a one time purchase for homeowners. Always consider the warranty of the product as you will not want to have to make this purchase again anytime soon.
275-micron stainless steel mesh design
Lifetime installation warranty
Offers new gutter installation services
Manufactured to match your home
One-piece system includes a guard and gutter
Guaranteed not to clog
Sturdy aluminum frame and steel screens
Offers 0% financing
Provides gutter repair & installation
Final Thoughts
We hope you now feel as though you can purchase 3-inch gutter guards with complete confidence. Unfortunately, the 3-inch solutions are not quite as straightforward as 4 or 5-inch gutter guards. Double-check your measurements first and make sure you are truly in the market for a 3-inch guard. LeafFilter is the best overall gutter guard manufacturer on the market and the one that all homeowners should consider starting with when looking for a quote. LeafFilter has more than 15 years of industry experience and tremendous reviews to stand behind its product.
With the 3-inch gutter guards, you will likely need to get a few quotes before you find the perfect solution. Getting multiple quotes for gutter guards also allows you to compare the value of one product to another.
Read also: Best Home Depot Gutter Guards (2023)
FAQs abut 3-inch Gutter Guards
What is the #1 gutter guard?
The number one gutter guard is the LeafFilter gutter guard. LeafFilter has more than 15 years of industry experience, professional installtion, and incredible functionality. Whether you are new to homeownership and gutter guards or are finally ready to invest in a solution that works, LeafFilter is an excellent choice.
Is there a gutter guard that really works?
The gutter guard that tends to offer the best results for homeowners is the stainless steel micro-mesh gutter guard. Stainless steel micro-mesh is long lasting and does a great job of keeping debris out of the gutters.
What are the benefits of gutter guards?
Gutter guards have several benefits, including:
- Keeping animals out of the gutter
- Ensuring that your gutters remain mold and mildew free
- Fewer gutter cleanings throughout the year
- Better waterflow from the roof
- Decreased chance of foundation damage to the home
Do they make 3-inch gutter guards?
3-inch gutter guards are not sold because there are very few 3-inch gutters on the market. Many homeowners that think they need 3-inch gutter guards have actually measured wrong, and they need the 4-inch size. Talk to a local gutter company like LeafFilter to have your gutter system analyzed and find out which gutter guard could work best for you.
Is there a gutter guard that can prevent leaves from clogging gutters?
All gutter guards should do a tremendous job of keeping leaves from falling into your gutters. Micro-mesh style gutter guards, as well as surface tension gutter guards, should keep leaves from clogging your gutters. Keep in mind that the tops of the gutter guards will need to be cleaned from time to time.
How we Ranked, Reviewed, and Tested the Best Gutter Guards
Here, we’ve broken down our rating methodology for gutter guards. You should know that we’ve taken the utmost care to provide the most up-to-date information and to ensure that you make the best choice for your budgetary and home maintenance needs.
Why Trust Today's Homeowner? Our Gutter Ranking Methodology
At Today's Homeowner, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. We’ve done the homework for you and have researched over 50 gutter guards so you can have the information you need to make the best choice for your home. That’s why we took the time to create an objective rating system and score each gutter guard and gutter guard provider company according to our gutter ranking methodology.
We also dug into the details of each gutter guard to ensure that you could make the best decisions for your home and keep your gutters debris-free for years to come.
To make the most of our research, we developed a formula to objectively determine the best gutter guards based on the following criteria:
- Material: Material durability was the single most important factor that went into our rating methodology for gutter guards. Whether they were stainless steel micro-mesh or plastic screening, we gave an in-depth rating for this criteria.
- Debris Resistance: Our testing served as the primary evaluator for this factor. We curated a rating based on customer testimonials and our own in-house testing here.
- Ease of Installation: Most of the gutter guard options listed have some DIY component involved. For this reason, guards that required the fewest specialty tools got the highest rating here.
- Cost: How reasonable are prices in comparison to the industry average? We compared the costs of each company to competitors.
- Warranty terms: We looked into the warranty of lifetime warranty terms if it is offered by the provider.
- Trust: What do customers rate the company? We looked into what customers are saying about their experience with the company.
- Buying process: if the gutter guard is a DIY installation, how easy is the buying process? We looked for shipping costs and shipping time, as well as where the product can be bought from.
