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 Shelby
The benefits of gutter guards
When you install gutter guards on your Shelby home, you add to its value and gain many long- and short-term benefits. Most importantly, gutter guards cut down on the amount of time you will have to spend on cleaning your gutters. No device will eliminate the need for cleaning, but adding gutter guards lets you spend less time on this task (or less money on a gutter services professional).
Additional benefits of gutter guards include keeping pests away — including bees and birds that make nests in gutters, as well as roaches and other insects that eat gutter debris — and reducing the chance of water damage to your home and property. Unclogged, smooth-flowing gutters are also less likely to rust and corrode prematurely, saving you money on repair and replacement.
Different types of gutter guards
Generally, gutter guards can be split into six types, and separated based on how easy they are to DIY. Foam and brush guards are the easiest to install on your own, while mesh and screen guards are in the middle and typically should be installed by professionals. Micro-mesh and surface tension guards require professional installation.
- Brush Guards: These types of guards are precisely what they sound like — large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and block debris but let water through. When it comes time to clean them, they need to be completely removed and then replaced after cleaning.
- Foam Guards: These types of gutter guards are light and easy to install, but are not able to 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: These types of guards allow water to flow through their holes while keeping out debris. You will need to remove the guards for cleaning approximately once a year.
- Mesh Guards: These types of guards are durable and rarely need to be taken down for cleaning. In the same manner as screen guards, they have holes that allow water in while blocking debris. One benefit of mesh gutter guards is that their shape allows debris to slide off onto your yard as opposed to collecting on top of your gutters.
- Micro-Mesh Guards: These types of guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards, and allow even less debris through them. Micro-mesh guards are very effective.
- Surface Tension Guards: These guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to encourage water to flow into the gutters while debris slides off. Your gutter service professionals will need to lift your roof's shingles to install surface tension guards, and they are visible from the ground. They usually come with a warranty.
Each type of gutter guard has its pros and cons, and the best type for your home in Shelby will be based on several factors. It is a smart idea to contact one or more local Shelby gutter guard installers to learn about what types of guards they install, and which are best for you.
How expensive are gutter guards?
Gutter guard cost
Gutter guard installation in North Carolina covers a wide range of prices, and your specific price will be dependent on several factors. First is whether you are installing everything yourself, working with a local Shelby contractor, or hiring one of the full-service installation companies in North Carolina. A full-service company will be more expensive but can offer more assistance with steps in the process like measuring your gutters and selecting a material. The choice of material and specific details of your house (such as the size of and ease of access to your gutter system) will also help determine the final price.
Getting in touch with one or more of the companies on our list of top gutter service professionals and inquiring about a free inspection and estimate is the simplest way to get a basic idea of how much your gutter guard installation will cost. You can also see our table below to explore specific price ranges for the different types of gutter guard materials. Note that these estimates are not a guarantee of prices in Shelby, 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 | $2,173 - $4,128 |
| Foam | $1.92 - $3.52 | $480-$880 | $1,523 - $1,923 |
| Screen | $0.38 - $1.38 | $95-$345 | $1,138 - $1,388 |
| Mesh | $0.82 - $2.7 | $205 - $687 | $1,248 - $1,730 |
| Micro-mesh | $1.69 - $2.32 | $244 - $580 | $1,287 - $1,623 |
| Surface tension | $1.08 - $1.55 | $270 - $387 | $1,313 - $1,430 |
Should you install your Shelby gutter guards alone or hire a company?
Even if you are someone who is handy, installing gutter guards on the gutter system of your Shelby home is a job that benefits from the help of a professional. If you are looking to install screen, mesh, micro-mesh, or surface tension guards, then hiring a professional to complete the installation will be highly recommended or even required. A Shelby gutter services professional can also assist with measuring your gutter system to save you from the headache of under- or over-purchasing materials. If you are unsure about what style of guards are the best fit for your house, they can point you in the right direction based on the details of your project. Lastly, they work to install the guards safely and efficiently, saving you time and hassle.
For the kind of company that provides both full installation and a lifetime transferable warranty, consider LeafFilter. With their patented three-piece 275-micron micromesh screen system also comes a free inspection and estimate.
