How to choose the best gutter guards in Philadelphia
The benefits of gutter guards
Getting gutter guards installed on your Philadelphia home comes with both long- and short-term benefits. First, gutter guards cut down on how much time you spend on cleaning your gutters. There is nothing that will eliminate the need for cleaning, but gutter guards will permit you to spend less time on this task (or less money hiring a gutter services professional).
Additionally, gutter guards can help to keep away pests. Gutters that are well protected avoid becoming home to birds' nests and beehives, and avoiding debris accumulation also helps keep out roaches and other pests that are attracted to gutter waste. Guards also reduce the risk of water damage and mold growth and mitigate the chance of premature corrosion or rust on your gutters, which will save you money on repair and replacement.
Different types of gutter guards
Gutter guards can be separated into six main types, with different levels of installation difficulty. Foam and brush guards are easy to DIY; screen and mesh guards are more difficult and should be installed by a professional; and surface tension and micro-mesh guards require professional installation.
- Brush Guards: These types of guards are made of large brush bristles that are installed in your gutters, allowing water to pass through while catching debris. They must be completely removed to be cleaned.
- Foam Guards: These types of guards are light and easy to install. Debris collects on the foam instead of in your gutter. Instead of having to be cleaned, this type of guard is replaced entirely when the need arises.
- Screen Guards: These types of gutter guards have large holes, which allow water to pass through while keeping debris out. They need to be fully removed annually for cleaning.
- Mesh Guards: This type of guard is similar to screen guards in how they catch debris while letting water filter through small holes. They are durable, rarely need to be taken down for cleaning, and encourage debris to slide off onto the ground rather than sit on top of your gutters.
- Micro-Mesh Guards: This type of guard has even smaller holes than mesh guards, letting even less debris through. These guards are very effective.
- Surface Tension Guards: This type of gutter guard — also called a reverse curve guard — needs the expertise of a local gutter services professional, who will lift the roof tiles on your house to install them. They often come with a warranty. These types of guards can be seen from the ground, and they allow water to flow into your gutters while debris slides off.
There are upsides and downsides to each type of gutter guard, and the type you choose for your Philadelphia home will be based on a number of factors. Speak with a local Philadelphia gutter guard installation company to inquire about different gutter guard types and figure out which is best for your house.
How expensive are gutter guards?
Gutter guard cost
The price of gutter guard installation in Philadelphia will be based on several factors. First is the variety of gutter guards you are choosing — different materials will have different costs per linear foot. Next is the decision of whether you'll install the guards on your own, employ a local Philadelphia contractor, or hire one of the full-service installers operating in Pennsylvania. A full-service company can give you more guidance when you are choosing a guard type and measuring your gutter system. Lastly, there are the specific aspects of your job, like the size of your house and the accessibility of the gutter system.
The simplest way to obtain a rough idea of the cost of your project is to communicate with at least one of the gutter guard service providers from the above list to ask for a free inspection and estimate. You can also utilize our table below to determine specific price ranges for different styles of gutter guard materials. Note that these estimates are not a guarantee of prices in Philadelphia, 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 | $2,333 - $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 Philadelphia gutter guards alone or hire a company?
Gutter guard installation benefits from the guidance of a local Philadelphia gutter services professional, even if you are typically handy at home. If you know that you want to choose a specific type of gutter guard — including mesh, screen, micro-mesh, or surface tension guards — getting professional installation done may be required or highly recommended. If you are uncertain, a local gutter service company from Philadelphia can help with hiring the best gutter guard type for your home. Your local experts can help measure your gutters, saving you money by preventing over-purchasing of materials. They will also be able to install the guards safely and efficiently, saving you time and headache.
One particular company that we highly recommend to help you with installation is LeafFilter. Their patented three-piece 275-micron micromesh screen system comes with a free estimate, a full installation, and a lifetime transferable warranty.
