How to choose the best gutter guards in Austin
The benefits of gutter guards
There are many benefits to getting gutter guards installed on your house in Austin. The first and most obvious benefit is that having gutter guards installed on your home lessens the need to clean your gutters. Although nothing can eliminate the need to clean your gutters, adding guards greatly lessens the amount of time you (or your local gutter service technicians) will need to spend on a ladder.
In addition, gutter guards will reduce the risk of gutters getting blocked and overflowing, which will go a long way towards preventing water damage and mold growth on your house and lawn. Gutters that are protected are also less likely to rust and corrode prematurely, helping you save on repair and replacement costs. Lastly, covered gutters are less likely to become home to birds' nests and beehives, and gutters that don't accumulate debris are less likely to attract insect pests such as roaches.
Different types of gutter guards
There are generally six types of gutter guards: foam, brush, mesh, screen, surface tension, and micro-mesh. The first four can be installed yourself (although mesh and screen tend to be more difficult and should usually be professionally installed), while micro-mesh and surface tension gutter guards always need professional installation.
- Brush Guards: This type of gutter guard is exactly what it sounds like — their large brush bristles sit in your gutters and let water through while catching debris. To be cleaned, they must be completely removed.
- Foam Guards: These types of gutter guards are light and easy to install, but can't be cleaned — instead, they need to be replaced when worn out. The foam blocks debris and keeps it away from the flow of water.
- Screen Guards: These types of guards have large holes, which allow water through while stopping debris. Screen guards will need to be fully removed yearly for cleaning.
- Mesh Guards: This type of guard is durable and rarely needs to be taken off for cleaning. Like screen guards, they have holes that allow water through while stopping debris. One feature of mesh gutter guards is that the shape of the guards allows debris to slide off onto your yard as opposed to collecting on top of your gutters.
- Micro-Mesh Guards: This type of gutter guard, thanks to its extremely small holes, lets even less debris through than standard mesh gutter guards. Micro-mesh guards are extremely effective.
- Surface Tension Guards: These types of gutter guards — also called reverse curve guards — need the expertise of a local gutter services professional, who will have to lift the roof tiles on your house to install them. Surface tension guards often come with a warranty. They are visible from the ground, and they allow water to flow into your gutters while debris slides off.
Each gutter guard type has its upsides and downsides, and the best type for your house in Austin will be determined by several factors. Reach out to one of Austin's local gutter guard installers to find out about which types of guards they install and what type is best for you.
How expensive are gutter guards?
Gutter guard cost
The price of gutter installation in Austin depends first on some of the specific details of your property, for example the size of your home and the ease of accessing your gutters. The amount you'll pay will also be a product of the variety of gutter guard you select, as the price per linear foot does vary based on the material. Finally, the final cost will depend on whether you are installing the guards on your own, hiring one of the local contractors around Austin, or hiring a full-service gutter guard installer that operates in Texas. The more you spend on gutter services, the more guidance you will receive on certain steps of the process like measuring your gutters and selecting a guard material.
To more precisely estimate how much you will spend on gutter guards for your home, reach out to one or two of the gutter guard service providers from the list above and ask about getting a free inspection and estimate. You can also see our table below to find specific price ranges for different types of gutter guard materials. Note that these estimates are not a guarantee of prices in Austin, and 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 | $2,395 - $4,350 |
| Foam | $1.92 - $3.52 | $480-$880 | $1,745 - $2,145 |
| Screen | $0.38 - $1.38 | $95-$345 | $1,360 - $1,610 |
| Mesh | $0.82 - $2.7 | $205 - $687 | $1,470 - $1,952 |
| Micro-mesh | $1.69 - $2.32 | $244 - $580 | $1,509 - $1,845 |
| Surface tension | $1.08 - $1.55 | $270 - $387 | $1,535 - $1,652 |
Should you install your Austin gutter guards alone or hire a company?
You may be accustomed to tackling many projects yourself — you may even have installed the gutters on your Austin home yourself — but gutter guard installation is a task best left to the professionals. If you know you are going to go with a specific style of gutter guard — including screen, mesh, surface tension, or micro-mesh guards — professional installation may be required or strongly recommended. If you are unsure, one of Austin's local gutter service companies can aid you in selecting the optimal gutter guard type for you. Your local experts can help you measure your gutter system, keeping costs down by stopping you from over-purchasing materials. They will also be able to install your gutter guards quickly and safely, saving you time and stress.
We recommend choosing a company like LeafFilter, which has developed a patented three-piece 275-micron micromesh screen system that comes with a free inspection and estimate as well as full installation. Their system also has a lifetime transferable warranty.
