Best Overall
- Professional installation
- Number one gutter guard company
- Quick installation
Best Design
- It has a lifetime transferable warranty
- Can be used with metal roofs
- Micro-mesh material for superior filtration
Best Customer Service
- Has impressive BBB ratings
- Strengthens the gutters on the home
How to choose the best gutter guards in Alameda
The benefits of gutter guards
Having gutter guards installed on your Alameda home comes with both short- and long-term benefits. Cutting down on the time spent cleaning your home's gutters is the primary reason many people purchase gutter guards. Gutter guards — or any other device — won't get rid of the need for occasional gutter cleaning, but they will greatly decrease the time you spend on this chore, or the amount you spend on hiring a gutter services professional.
Other benefits of gutter guards include reducing the chance of water damage to your home and property and keeping pests away — including bees and birds that nest in gutters, in addition to roaches and other insects that eat gutter debris. Unclogged, smooth-flowing gutters are also at less risk for premature rust or corrosion, saving you money on repair and replacement.
Different types of gutter guards
There are typically six types of gutter guards: brush, foam, screen, mesh, surface tension, and micro-mesh. The first four can be installed by yourself (although mesh and screen are usually more difficult and in the majority of cases should be professionally installed), while surface tension and micro-mesh gutter guards must always be professionally installed.
- Brush Guards: This type of gutter guard catches debris on its large bristles while allowing water to pass through and drain from your gutters. To be cleaned, they must be completely removed.
- Foam Guards: These types of gutter guards are lightweight and easy to install, but they cannot be cleaned — instead, they will need to be replaced at the end of their lifespan. The foam obstructs debris and keeps it out of the water.
- Screen Guards: This type of guard has large holes, which allow water to pass through while keeping debris out. Screen guards will need to be fully removed annually for cleaning.
- Mesh Guards: This type of gutter guard is durable and rarely needs to be removed for cleaning. Like screen guards, they have holes that allow water in while blocking debris. One benefit of mesh gutter guards is that the shape allows debris to slide off onto your yard as opposed to collecting on top of your gutters.
- Micro-Mesh Guards: This type of gutter guard has even smaller holes than mesh guards, which lets even less debris through them. These types of guards are extremely effective.
- Surface Tension Guards: These types of guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to encourage water to flow into your gutter system while debris slides off. Your gutter service professionals will need to lift the shingles of your roof to install these guards, and they are visible from the ground. They normally come with a warranty.
All of the different types of gutter guards have different benefits and drawbacks, and which one is best for your Alameda home will depend on what your needs are. The fastest way to come to a decision is to talk with one or more local Alameda gutter guard installation companies to ask which types of guards they install and determine which one best matches your needs.
How expensive are gutter guards?
Gutter guard cost
The price of gutter guard installation in Alameda will be the product of several factors. First, the type of gutter guards you pick — different materials have different rates per linear foot. Next is whether you'll install the guards yourself, employ a local Alameda contractor, or hire one of the full-service installers operating in California. A full-service company will give you more guidance when it comes to choosing a gutter guard type and measuring your gutters. Last but not least, there are the unique details of your property, including the size of your house and the accessibility of your gutter system.
Speaking with one or more companies from our list of top-rated gutter service professionals and inquiring about a free inspection and estimate is the fastest way to get a basic idea of how much your gutter guard installation is going to cost. You can also take a look at our table below to determine specific price ranges for the various types of gutter guard materials. Be mindful of the fact that these estimates are not a guarantee of prices in Alameda, and they do not take into account labor costs.
Cost by material
| Gutter guard material | Cost per foot of material | Cost for typical home | Total cost including labor |
| Brush | $4.52 - $12.34 | $1130-$3085 | $2,616 - $4,571 |
| Foam | $1.92 - $3.52 | $480-$880 | $1,966 - $2,366 |
| Screen | $0.38 - $1.38 | $95-$345 | $1,581 - $1,831 |
| Mesh | $0.82 - $2.7 | $205 - $687 | $1,691 - $2,173 |
| Micro-mesh | $1.69 - $2.32 | $244 - $580 | $1,730 - $2,066 |
| Surface tension | $1.08 - $1.55 | $270 - $387 | $1,756 - $1,873 |
Should you install your Alameda gutter guards alone or hire a company?
While there can be many home projects that you are comfortable handling yourself, it is always in your best interest to seek out professional guidance when it comes to installing gutter guards on your Alameda home. If you know that you want to install a specific style of gutter guard — including mesh, screen, micro-mesh, or surface tension guards — professional installation may be required or highly recommended. If you are uncertain, a local gutter service professional from Alameda can aid you in selecting the optimal gutter guard type for your home. Your local experts can assist with measuring your gutters, keeping costs down by protecting you from over-purchasing materials. They will also be able to install the gutter guards quickly and safely, saving you time and hassle.
If you want to hire a company that offers a free estimate and a full installation, no need to look beyond LeafFilter. LeafFilter's patented three-piece 275-micro micromesh screen system also has a lifetime transferable warranty.
