How to choose the best gutter guards in Columbus
The benefits of gutter guards
When you have gutter guards installed on your Columbus home, you add to its value and reap many long- and short-term benefits. The first and most obvious benefit is that having gutter guards installed on your home reduces the need for gutter cleaning. Although there is nothing that can eliminate the need for gutter cleaning, adding guards greatly reduces the amount of time you (or your local gutter service technicians) need to spend on a ladder.
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, in addition to roaches and other insects that feed on gutter debris. Unobstructed, free-flowing gutters are also at less of a risk of rusting or corroding prematurely, which will save you money on repair and replacement.
Different types of gutter guards
Gutter guards can be divided into six standard types, with different levels of installation difficulty. Brush and foam guards are easier to install yourself; screen and mesh guards require more effort and should be installed by a professional; and surface tension and micro-mesh guards require professional installation.
- Brush Guards: This type of guard is 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: These gutter guards are lightweight and easy to install, but can't be cleaned — instead, they will need to be replaced at the end of their lifespan. The foam blocks debris and keeps it away from the path of water.
- Screen Guards: This type of gutter guard allows water to pass through its holes while at the same time stopping debris. You will need to take off the guards around once a year for cleaning.
- Mesh Guards: These gutter guards have small holes to permit water through while catching debris, in the same manner as screen guards. Mesh guards are durable and allow for debris to slide off rather than sit on top of your gutters, meaning they infrequently need to be taken off for cleaning.
- Micro-Mesh Guards: This type of guard has even smaller holes than mesh guards, letting even less debris through into your gutters. Micro-mesh guards are extremely effective.
- Surface Tension Guards: These gutter guards, which are sometimes called reverse curve guards, are always professionally installed and usually come with a warranty. These guards use surface tension to let debris slide off while water flows through into your gutters. Surface tension guards require the lifting of roof shingles to install, and they can be seen from the ground.
The different types of gutter guards have different benefits and drawbacks — which one is best for your home in Columbus will depend on the specifics of your situation. The easiest way to come to a decision is to talk with one or more of Columbus's local gutter guard professionals to find out what types of guards they offer and determine which one is the best fit for your needs.
How expensive are gutter guards?
Gutter guard cost
Gutter guard installation in Ohio covers a wide range of prices; your specific price will be dependent on several details. The first is whether you are going the DIY route, hiring a local Columbus contractor, or going with one of Ohio's full-service gutter guard installation companies. A full-service company will be more expensive 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 accessibility of your gutter system) will also affect the final price.
Contacting one or more companies from our list of best gutter service professionals and inquiring about a free inspection and estimate is the easiest way to get a basic idea of how much your gutter guard installation is going to cost. You can also take a look at our table below to find specific price ranges for various styles of gutter guard materials. Be mindful of the fact that these estimates are not a guarantee of prices in Columbus, 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 | $2,283 - $4,238 |
| Foam | $1.92 - $3.52 | $480-$880 | $1,633 - $2,033 |
| Screen | $0.38 - $1.38 | $95-$345 | $1,248 - $1,498 |
| Mesh | $0.82 - $2.7 | $205 - $687 | $1,358 - $1,840 |
| Micro-mesh | $1.69 - $2.32 | $244 - $580 | $1,397 - $1,733 |
| Surface tension | $1.08 - $1.55 | $270 - $387 | $1,423 - $1,540 |
Should you install your Columbus gutter guards alone or hire a company?
There may be many home projects that you are comfortable tackling yourself, but it is always a smart idea to seek out professional guidance when installing gutter guards on your house in Columbus. If you know that you are going to select a specific gutter guard style — including mesh, screen, micro-mesh, or surface tension guards — installation by a professional may be required or strongly recommended. If you are uncertain, a local Columbus gutter services company can guide you in picking the optimal gutter guard type for your house. Your local experts can help you measure your gutter system, helping you save by stopping you from over-purchasing materials. They can also install your guards efficiently and safely, saving you time and headache.
We recommend choosing a company like LeafFilter, whose patented three-piece 275-micron micromesh screen system comes with a free inspection and estimate as well as a full installation. The LeafFilter system also has a lifetime transferable warranty.
