How to choose the best gutter guards in Charlotte
The benefits of gutter guards
By investing time and money into adding gutter guards, you and your Charlotte property will reap the benefits for many years. The biggest benefit is that having gutter guards installed on your home reduces the need to clean your gutters. Although nothing can eliminate the need for gutter cleaning, adding guards greatly reduces the amount of time you (or your local gutter service technicians) have to spend on a ladder.
Additionally, gutter guards can help to keep away pests. Gutters that are protected avoid becoming home to pests such as bees and birds, and reducing debris buildup also helps discourage roaches and other pests that eat gutter waste. Guards also reduce the risk of mold growth and water damage and mitigate the chance of premature rust or corrosion on your gutters, which will save you money on repair and replacement.
Different types of gutter guards
There are six standard types of gutter guards: foam, brush, mesh, screen, micro-mesh, and surface tension. The first four can be installed by yourself (although mesh and screen tend to be more difficult and in the majority of cases should be professionally installed), while surface tension and micro-mesh guards always require professional installation.
- Brush Guards: These gutter guards catch debris on their large bristles, while at the same time allowing water to pass through and drain from your gutters. They must be removed completely in order to be cleaned.
- Foam Guards: These types of guards are light and easy to install, but are unable to be cleaned — instead, they will need to be replaced when worn out. The foam traps debris and keeps it out of the path of water.
- Screen Guards: This type of guard has large holes that allow water through while stopping debris. Approximately once a year, you will have to take down the guards for cleaning purposes.
- Mesh Guards: This type of guard is durable and rarely needs to be removed for cleaning. Similar to screen guards, they have holes that let water in while blocking debris. One feature of mesh gutter guards is that their shape allows debris to slide off onto your lawn as opposed to collecting on top of your gutters.
- Micro-Mesh Guards: These types of gutter guards are generally the most effective. They have even smaller holes than regular mesh gutter guards, which allows even less debris through.
- Surface Tension Guards: These types of gutter guards — also called reverse curve guards — need the expertise of a local gutter services professional, who will need to lift the roof tiles on your house to install them. They often come with a warranty. They can be seen from the ground, and they permit water to flow into your gutters while debris slides off.
Each guard type has its benefits and drawbacks. The best type for your Charlotte home will be based on multiple factors. It is a smart idea to contact one or more of Charlotte's local gutter guard installation companies to discover which types of guards they offer, and which are best for you.
How expensive are gutter guards?
Gutter guard cost
Gutter guard installation in North Carolina can be within a wide range of prices and is ultimately dependent on several details. The first is whether you are going the DIY route, employing a local contractor in Charlotte, or going with a full service gutter guard installation company that operates in North Carolina. A full-service company will cost more but will provide more assistance with tasks such as measuring your gutters and picking a material. The choice of material and specific details of your house (such as the size of and ease of access to the gutter system) will also affect the final price.
Getting in touch with one or more of the companies on our list of top gutter service professionals and asking for a free inspection and estimate is the easiest way to get a rough idea of how much your gutter guard installation might cost. You can also use our table below to find specific price ranges for different styles of gutter guard materials. Be mindful of the fact that these estimates are not a guarantee of prices in Charlotte, and do not account for 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 | $2,333 - $4,288 |
| Foam | $1.92 - $3.52 | $480-$880 | $1,683 - $2,083 |
| Screen | $0.38 - $1.38 | $95-$345 | $1,298 - $1,548 |
| Mesh | $0.82 - $2.7 | $205 - $687 | $1,408 - $1,890 |
| Micro-mesh | $1.69 - $2.32 | $244 - $580 | $1,447 - $1,783 |
| Surface tension | $1.08 - $1.55 | $270 - $387 | $1,473 - $1,590 |
Should you install your Charlotte 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 enlist professional guidance when it comes to installing gutter guards on your house in Charlotte. If you know you are going to select a specific gutter guard type — including mesh, screen, micro-mesh, or surface tension guards — installation by a professional may be required or strongly recommended. If you are uncertain, one of Charlotte's local gutter service companies can assist you with hiring the optimal gutter guard type for your house. Your local experts can assist with measuring your gutter system, saving you money by stopping you from over-purchasing materials. They will also be able to install the guards efficiently and safely, saving you time and stress.
If you want to hire a company that provides a free inspection and estimate as well as a full installation, no need to look beyond LeafFilter. Their patented three-piece 275-micro micromesh screen system comes with a lifetime transferable warranty.
