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 Urbandale
The benefits of gutter guards
There are many benefits to installing gutter guards on your house in Urbandale. Cutting down on the time you need to spend cleaning your gutters is the main reason consumers purchase gutter guards. Gutter guards — or any device — won't get rid of the need to clean your gutters on occasion, but they will significantly decrease the time you spend on this chore, or the amount you spend on hiring professional gutter services.
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 may nest in your gutters, and roaches and other insects that are attracted to gutter debris. Unclogged, smooth-flowing gutters are also at less risk for premature rust or corrosion, which in the long run will save you money on repair and replacement.
Different types of gutter guards
There are typically six types of gutter guards: brush, foam, mesh, screen, micro-mesh, and surface tension. The first four can be installed yourself (although screen and mesh tend to be more difficult and should generally be professionally installed), while surface tension and micro-mesh gutter guards always require professional installation.
- Brush Guards: This type of guard is made of large brush bristles that partially obstruct your gutters, blocking debris while allowing water to pass through. To be cleaned, they must be completely removed.
- Foam Guards: These types of guards are light and easy to install. With this type of guard, debris lands on the foam instead of in your gutter. Instead of being cleaned, this type of guard is removed and replaced when the need arises.
- Screen Guards: These types of gutter guards have large holes, which let water flow through while stopping debris. Screen guards will need to be fully removed for cleaning once a year.
- Mesh Guards: These types of gutter guards are durable and rarely need to be taken down for cleaning. In the same manner as screen guards, they have holes that let water through while blocking debris. One benefit of mesh gutter guards is that the shape of the guards allows debris to slide off onto your yard rather than collect on top of your gutters.
- Micro-Mesh Guards: These gutter guards, thanks to their extremely small holes, let even less debris through than regular mesh gutter guards. These types of guards are very effective.
- Surface Tension Guards: These types of guards, which are sometimes called reverse curve guards, are always installed by a professional and normally come with a warranty. These guards use surface tension to allow 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 Urbandale will be based on a number of factors. It is a good idea to speak with one or more local Urbandale gutter guard installers to learn about which types of guards are available, and which are best for your job.
How expensive are gutter guards?
Gutter guard cost
The price of gutter guard installation in Urbandale will be based on several factors. First is the variety of gutter guards you are going with — different materials cost different amounts per linear foot. Next is the decision of whether you would prefer to install the guards on your own, to hire a local Urbandale contractor, or to hire one of Iowa's full-service installation companies. A full-service company can provide more guidance when it comes to choosing a gutter guard type and measuring your gutters. Finally, there are the unique aspects of your job, including the size of your house and how easy it is to access your gutter system.
Talking to one or more companies from our list of gutter service professionals and requesting a free inspection and estimate is the simplest way to get a feel for how much your gutter guard installation might cost. You can also see our table below to explore specific price ranges for the various types of gutter guard materials. Keep in mind that these estimates are not a guarantee of prices in Urbandale, and do not take into account the cost of labor.
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 | $2,287 - $4,242 |
| Foam | $1.92 - $3.52 | $480-$880 | $1,637 - $2,037 |
| Screen | $0.38 - $1.38 | $95-$345 | $1,252 - $1,502 |
| Mesh | $0.82 - $2.7 | $205 - $687 | $1,362 - $1,844 |
| Micro-mesh | $1.69 - $2.32 | $244 - $580 | $1,401 - $1,737 |
| Surface tension | $1.08 - $1.55 | $270 - $387 | $1,427 - $1,544 |
Should you install your Urbandale gutter guards alone or hire a company?
There may be certain home projects that you feel comfortable tackling on your own, but it is always in your best interest to seek out professional guidance when it comes to installing gutter guards on your Urbandale home. If you know that you are going to select a specific gutter guard style — including screen, mesh, surface tension, or micro-mesh guards — installation by a professional may be required or highly recommended. If you are feeling indecisive, a local Urbandale gutter services professional can aid you in selecting the best gutter guard type for your house. They can assist with measuring your gutter system, keeping costs down by preventing over-purchasing of materials. They can also install the gutter guards safely and speedily, saving you time and stress.
Should you need the kind of company that offers both full installation and a lifetime transferable warranty, no need to look further than LeafFilter. The company's patented three-piece 275-micron micromesh screen system comes with a free inspection and estimate.
