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 Council Bluffs
The benefits of gutter guards
Having gutter guards installed on your house in Council Bluffs provides both short- and long-term benefits. Cutting down on the time spent cleaning your house's gutters is the main reason consumers purchase gutter guards. Gutter guards — or any device — won't get rid of the need for occasional gutter cleaning, but they can greatly reduce the time you spend on this chore, or the money you spend on employing a professional gutter services company.
In addition, gutter guards can reduce the risk of gutters becoming blocked and overflowing, preventing mold growth and water damage to your lawn and house. Gutters that are protected are also less likely to rust and corrode prematurely, helping you save on repair and replacement expenses. Last but not least, gutters that are covered avoid becoming home to birds' nests and beehives, and gutters that don't accumulate debris are less likely to attract insect pests such as roaches.
Different types of gutter guards
There are six common types of gutter guards. Foam and brush guards are easy to install by yourself; screen and mesh guards can be installed yourself, but generally should be done by a professional; and micro-mesh and surface tension guards always need professional installation.
- Brush Guards: These gutter guards are made of large brush bristles that sit inside your gutters, allowing water to pass through while catching debris. When it comes time to clean them, they need to be completely removed and then replaced after cleaning.
- Foam Guards: This type of guard is light and easy to install. With this type of guard, debris lands on the foam instead of in your gutter. Instead of needing to be cleaned, this type of guard is simply replaced when the need arises.
- Screen Guards: These types of gutter guards have large holes that allow water through while blocking debris. About once a year, you will need to take down the guards for cleaning purposes.
- Mesh Guards: These types of gutter guards have small holes to allow water through while catching debris, like with screen guards. Mesh guards are durable and encourage debris to slide off as opposed to sit on top of the gutters, meaning they very rarely need to be taken off for cleaning.
- Micro-Mesh Guards: These guards are generally the most effective. Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than standard mesh gutter guards, allowing even less debris through.
- Surface Tension Guards: These types of guards, which are sometimes called reverse curve guards, are professionally installed and generally come with a warranty. They use surface tension to encourage debris to slide off while water flows into your gutters. Surface tension guards require lifting your roof shingles to install, and they can be seen from the ground.
Every guard type has its benefits and drawbacks — the best type for your home in Council Bluffs will be based on multiple factors. It is a smart idea to reach out to one or more local Council Bluffs gutter guard installers to find out what types of guards they offer, and which are best for your job.
How expensive are gutter guards?
Gutter guard cost
The amount you will spend on gutter installation in Council Bluffs will, first and foremost, be influenced by some of the specifics of your property, such as the size of your home and the ease of accessing your gutter system. The cost will also depend on the kind of gutter guard you go with, as the price per linear foot varies based on the material. Lastly, the total cost will depend on whether you are installing the guards yourself, hiring one of the local contractors around Council Bluffs, or hiring one of the full-service gutter guard installers operating in Iowa. The more you invest, the more guidance you will receive on the steps of the process such as selecting a guard material and measuring your gutters.
The simplest way to get a rough idea of the cost of your project is to speak to several of the gutter guard service providers from our list above to ask about a free inspection and estimate. You can also see our table below to explore specific price ranges for the different styles of gutter guard materials. Note that these estimates are not a guarantee of prices in Council Bluffs, and they do not account for 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 | $2,221 - $4,176 |
| Foam | $1.92 - $3.52 | $480-$880 | $1,571 - $1,971 |
| Screen | $0.38 - $1.38 | $95-$345 | $1,186 - $1,436 |
| Mesh | $0.82 - $2.7 | $205 - $687 | $1,296 - $1,778 |
| Micro-mesh | $1.69 - $2.32 | $244 - $580 | $1,335 - $1,671 |
| Surface tension | $1.08 - $1.55 | $270 - $387 | $1,361 - $1,478 |
Should you install your Council Bluffs gutter guards alone or hire a company?
While there may be some home projects that you are comfortable tackling yourself, it is always in your best interest to seek out professional guidance when it comes to installing gutter guards on your Council Bluffs home. A local Council Bluffs gutter services company can help guarantee that all measurements taken are completely accurate and that materials are not over-purchased. They are your area experts in installing gutter guards and know how to do so safely and efficiently, which will save you time and stress. They can recommend the best guards for your house based on specific features of your property. For a handful of types of gutter guards, such as mesh, screen, surface tension, and micro-mesh, getting professional installation is strongly recommended or required.
Should you want the kind of company that provides full installation and a lifetime transferable warranty, consider LeafFilter. LeafFilter's patented three-piece 275-micron micromesh screen system comes with a free inspection and estimate.
