How to choose the best gutter guards in Washington
The benefits of gutter guards
There are many benefits to installing gutter guards on your house in Washington. Reducing the time you spend cleaning your house's gutters is the most important reason many consumers purchase gutter guards. Gutter guards — or any device — won't eliminate the need to clean your gutters on occasion, but they will significantly cut down on the time you spend on this task, or the amount you spend on hiring professional gutter services.
In addition, gutter guards will reduce the risk of gutters getting clogged and overflowing, helping to prevent mold growth and water damage on your house and lawn. Well-protected gutters are also less likely to rust and corrode prematurely, which can help you save on repair and replacement expenses. Last but not least, covered gutters are less likely to become home to birds' nests and beehives, and clean, empty gutters are less likely to attract insects like roaches.
Different types of gutter guards
There are six primary types of gutter guards. Brush and foam guards are easy to install on your own; screen and mesh guards can be installed yourself, but preferably should be professionally installed; and surface tension and micro-mesh guards always require professional installation.
- Brush Guards: These types of gutter guards catch debris on their large bristles, but allow water to pass through and drain via your gutter. To clean them, brush guards need to be completely removed.
- Foam Guards: These types of gutter guards are lightweight and easy to install. The foam collects debris and keeps it out of your gutter. Instead of needing to be cleaned, this type of guard is removed and replaced when the need arises.
- Screen Guards: These guards have large holes that allow water to pass through while blocking debris. About once a year, you will need to take off the guards for cleaning purposes.
- Mesh Guards: These guards are durable and rarely need to be taken down for cleaning. Like screen guards, they have holes that let water through while blocking debris. One feature of mesh gutter guards is that the shape allows debris to slide off onto the yard rather than collect on top of your gutters.
- Micro-Mesh Guards: These types of gutter guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards, and allow even less debris through. Micro-mesh guards are very effective.
- Surface Tension Guards: These types of guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to allow water to flow into the gutters while debris slides off. Your gutter service professionals will need to lift your roof shingles to install these guards, and they are visible from the ground. Normally, they come with a warranty.
There are upsides and downsides for every type of guard, and the kind you decide on for your Washington home will be a product of several factors. Consider contacting a local Washington gutter guard installer to inquire about different types and determine which is best for your house.
How expensive are gutter guards?
Gutter guard cost
You might find a range of prices for gutter guard installation in District of Columbia, but your specific price will be dependent on several factors. First is whether you are doing it all yourself, hiring a local contractor in Washington, or going with a full service gutter guard installation company that operates in District of Columbia. A full-service company will be more expensive but will provide more assistance when it comes to things like measuring your gutter system and choosing a material. The material you choose and specific details of your house (such as the size of and accessibility of your gutter system) will also influence the final price.
To most accurately estimate how much it will cost to add gutter guards to your home, contact at least one of the gutter guard service providers from our above list and inquire about getting a free inspection and estimate. You can also see our table below to determine specific price ranges for various kinds of gutter guard materials. Be mindful of the fact that these estimates are not a guarantee of prices in Washington, 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 | $2,424 - $4,379 |
| Foam | $1.92 - $3.52 | $480-$880 | $1,774 - $2,174 |
| Screen | $0.38 - $1.38 | $95-$345 | $1,389 - $1,639 |
| Mesh | $0.82 - $2.7 | $205 - $687 | $1,499 - $1,981 |
| Micro-mesh | $1.69 - $2.32 | $244 - $580 | $1,538 - $1,874 |
| Surface tension | $1.08 - $1.55 | $270 - $387 | $1,564 - $1,681 |
Should you install your Washington gutter guards alone or hire a company?
However handy you are, installing gutter guards on the gutters of your Washington home is a task that benefits from the assistance of a professional. A Washington gutter services professional can help ensure that the measuring work is all completely accurate and that you purchase exactly the right amount of materials. They are your area experts in installing gutter guards and can install them safely and efficiently, ultimately saving you time and stress. They will be able to recommend which type of guard you should purchase based on your property's unique characteristics. For some types of gutter guards, such as screen, mesh, surface tension, and micro-mesh, getting professional installation is strongly recommended or required.
One particular gutter services company that we highly recommend to handle the installation is LeafFilter. Their patented three-piece 275-micron micromesh screen system comes with a free estimate, a full installation, and a lifetime transferable warranty.
