Gutter guards will help ensure that your rain gutters are free of debris and have plenty of room for proper water flow. With the best gutter guards in place, you won’t have to worry about cleaning your gutters or water pooling around the foundation of your home. Many homeowners are looking for the best 5-inch gutter guards on the market.

Top Pick

275-micron stainless steel mesh design

Lifetime installation warranty

Offers new gutter installation services

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Limited Time:
Get 15% Off Your Full-Service Gutter Installation
Most Durable

Manufactured to match your home

One-piece system includes a guard and gutter

Guaranteed not to clog

GET QUOTE
Limited Time:
75% Off Installation
Best Customer Service
gutter guards america logo

Sturdy aluminum frame and steel screens

Offers 0% financing

Provides gutter repair & installation

GET QUOTE
Limited Time:
Get $500 off in select locations!

Choosing the right 5-inch gutter guard can be a big decision. As long as you have some idea of what you need for your home, this process should be seamless. Let’s take a look at the best selling gutter guard for your home and how you can start spending more time enjoying your home as opposed to maintaining it.


Our Top Six 5-Inch Gutter Guards

At Today’s Homeowner, we have done in-depth research into all of the 5-inch gutter guard manufacturers on the market. We looked at things like warranty, gutter guard size options, gutter guard technology, customer service, installation costs, and more. We have come up with a list of the top 6 best 5-inch gutter guards on the market. There is an option on this list for all budgets and all home types.

LeafFilter: Best Professional Installation

Compare 5-Inch Gutter Guards

CompanyLogoProduct ImageOur RatingBBB RatingLink

A+

B

A

NR

A+

F

CompanyOur RatingBBB RatingBest For
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A+

Best Professional Installation & Cost

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B

Best-Designed Gutter Guards

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A

Best Performance Warranty

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NR

Best Original Design

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A+

Best DIY Option

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F

Best Mesh Gutter Guard


Best Professional Installation & Cost

LeafFilter

4.1

Our Rating

Limited Time:
Get 15% Off Your Full-Service Gutter Installation

LeafFilter Gutter Guards are the best 5-inch gutter guards on the market. WIth the LeafFilter Gutter Guards, you can benefit from more than 15 years of experience in the industry, the top technology in gutter guards offered to date, and a lifetime transferrable warranty. The LeafFilter gutter guards are professionally installed, and many times they can be put up in just a matter of days. With this professional installation, the chance of your roof warranty being voided is very slim.

Homeowners love the 275-micron steel mesh used in the LeafFilter gutter guards. The only thing that these guards let through is water. In addition, even when heavy rainstorms roll in, the LeafFilter Gutter Guards manage it quite well. LeafFilter has an A+ rating with BBB, and they are known for being the best gutter guard company in the industry. If your gutters are 5-inch standard or there are some custom features to your K Style gutters, LeafFilter will still be able to work with you.

  • Micro-mesh technology
  • Customizable for many gutter sizes
  • Guards are rustproof
  • Professional installation with a lifetime warranty
  • A+ rating from BBB

The A+ rating that LeafFilter has earned from the BBB is telling of what this manufacturer has brought to the market. Customers have very few complaints about the actual product, and when there are issues, LeafFilter resolves them quickly. Trustpilot, another strong review website, has had more than 80,000 people review the LeafFilter gutters. Out of these 86,000 people, the overall rating of the gutter guard is 4.4 out of 5. LeafFilter is a strong brand that is rated highly and does a great job of keeping the gutters useable and clear of debris.

When you read through the reviews of the LeafFilter gutter guards, the issues with clogging and ice dams are almost non-existent. Customers feel as though their gutters are stronger and more effective than ever before. The two major complaints that we see are the cost of the gutter guards as well as issues with installation scheduling. LeafFilter contracts with local professionals in your area to complete the installation. Sometimes these professionals don’t show up on time or have trouble with communication of details that you spoke to your representative about. If this is the case, simply let LeafFilter know, and they will handle it for you.

Best-Designed Gutter Guards

HomeCraft Gutter Protection

4.4

Our Rating

Limited Time:
New Customers Save 50% On Gutter Guards & Labor

HomeCraft Gutter Protection is the best design for 5-inch gutter guards. The design of your guard will impact overall functionality and technology, and it is important to look at how a gutter guard actually works. The HomeCraft Gutter Protection gutter guards have been on the market for nearly six years. With this unique technology, you can install them on anything from shingles to metal roofs. The HomeCraft Gutter Protection gutter guards are available in about a dozen states.

The technology that helps homeowners keep their home gutters in top conditions includes a raised mesh design. The raised mesh ensures that buildup on top of the screen is a thing of the past. Essentially things like pine needles, roof grit, and even sticks and leaves will roll off the top of the guard instead of sitting and collecting. Gutter guards have been known to collect large debris and experience debris buildup, but with the HomeCraft Gutter Protection guards, this should not be a concern.

Get a free quote from HomeCraft.

  • Durable 275-micron steel mesh,
  • Patented system to help improve water flow
  • 304 marine-grade stainless steel
  • Lifetime transferable warranty
  • Unique design, unlike other gutter covers

There are quite a few positives about the HomeCraft Gutter Protection, despite this only being offered in about 12 states. The BBB rating for HomeCraft Gutter Protection is a B; in the home improvement industry, this is not a bad rating. Trust Pilot has more than 100 customers rating the HomeCraft Gutter Protection with a star rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. With just six years in the industry, HomeCraft Gutter Protection will likely continue to collect positive reviews as they expand.

Overall the reviews from HomeCraft Gutter Protection, although not as extensive as other companies, are quite positive. People find that the price per linear foot is quite fair and that the installation process is simple. In addition, since this is a stainless steel micro-mesh gutter guard, there are very few issues with debris falling through. The only major thing that stood out as a problem was the color options being a little different in person than they are in the catalog. Talk to your representative about this and see if you can get a sample color chart.

Best Performance Warranty

All American Gutter Protection

4.1

Our Rating

Limited Time:
Save $300 on full-home installations

All American Gutter Protection is the most customizable gutter guard in the industry, with plenty of 5-inch gutter guard options for customers to choose from. With All American Gutter Protection, you will benefit from 7 years of industry experience as well as color options for gutters and professional staff to help you through the process. All Amerian Gutter Protection has an A+ rating with the BBB and continues to grow and expand its coverage area. The technology features in the All American Gutter Protection gutters are quite impressive.

The stainless steel micro-mesh panels sit on the top of the gutter to create surface tension, filter out all debris and increase water flow through the gutters. Screen gutter guards are by far the best overall option on the market at the current time. In addition to this micro-mesh gutter guard screen on the top of the gutters, there are also aluminum sides to keep the gutter guard lightweight and highly functional. All American Gutter Protection gutter guards are installed professionally, and the job should not take longer than one day.

  • High-quality stainless steel metal gutters
  • Lifetime warranty when professionally installed
  • Gutter guards are rust-proof
  • Over 30 color options for customers to choose
  • Aluminum frame material for longevity

All American Gutter Protection has been in the industry for more than 7 years; therefore, it is really easy to find reviews on this company. The first thing that stands out is the A+ rating with the BBB. In addition, the BBB rating also shows a star rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. This is very high and shows that All American Gutter Protection will stand behind their leaf guard and ensure that all customers are satisfied with the product.

The overall ability of All American Gutter Protection gutters to keep small debris out of the gutters is quite impressive. When looking at different types of gutter guards like foam gutter guards and brush gutter guards, they won’t compare to the functionality of these All American Gutter Protection mesh screen guards. The only issues that some customers had were with the installers. Again, this is similar to the LeafFilter installer problem and something that will only affect certain areas.

Best Original Design

MasterShield

4.5

Our Rating

The MasterShield Gutter Guard is the most environmentally friendly 5-inch gutter guard on the market. MasterShield Gutter Guards are made from recycled material to help improve the overall environment. With the MasterShield Gutter Guard having a lifetime warranty, this is a great way to eliminate metal waste and, at the same time, reduce your gutter-cleaning responsibilities. Even though these are environmentally friendly gutter guards, they are still heavy-duty and include an impressive sloped design.

The sloped design means that the gutter guards are installed at an angle to help debris fall off the roof. The MasterShield Gutter Guards must be professionally installed. Installers will match the guard to the slope of your roof to ensure better functionality. This does make the MasterShield Gutter Guards slightly more visible, so choosing the proper color becomes even more important.

Castle Windows is the best choice for homeowners seeking comprehensive, long-term warranty protection for their replacement windows. The company provides lifetime guarantees on windows and workmanship, giving customers some of the best buyer protection in the industry.

Castle’s protection applies to window units, glass, and labor, as long as the windows remain in their original openings. Even if you sell your home, its Castle Windows will retain non-prorated protection with transferable lifetime warranty coverage.

Castle provides customers with additional support in its troubleshooting and service guides. The troubleshooting guide provides extensive window maintenance and repair information, and the service guide video tutorials visually demonstrate how to care for your Castle Windows products.

  • Pitched design to push debris off
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Over 14 color options
  • Made from recycled materials
  • Helps prevent a blockage in the downspout

Overall, MasterShield Gutter Guard is a much smaller company than some of the others on our list. Some customers enjoy working with a smaller brand to ensure that they are getting better support and attention to detail. This smaller company is not accredited with the BBB, but it does have 3 out of 5 stars from the BBB. Overall the reviews and ratings are a bit mixed with MasterShield Gutter Guard. However, some people rate this product based on its sloped design as opposed to the overall functionality.

For some homeowners, the fact that MasterShield is so visible will be an issue. If you want something that simply slides under the first row of shingles and is barely visible, this is not the best choice. Customers did find that regardless of the age of their gutters, the MasterShield created no issues with installation. In addition, there were very few complaints about overall pricing.

Best DIY Option

Raptor Micro-Mesh Gutter Guard

2.6

Our Rating

Limited Time:
No current offers available.

The Raptor Gutter Guards are the best DIY mesh 5-inch gutter guards on the market. If you are a home improvement specialist and want to take care of this gutter guard process on your own, the Raptor Gutter Guards are the way to go. One of the great things about a DIY gutter guard installation is that you will be paying considerably less for the total project. The Raptor Gutter guards are resistant to corrosion, will help you keep clean gutters, and will work in various climates.

One of the things that really help the Raptor Gutter Guards stand out is the 25-year warranty. Many DIY gutter guards do not feature a warranty simply because the installation process is not witnessed by a professional. Raptor Gutter Guards come with clear direction and self-tapping fasteners to ensure the project is easy and can be done in a matter of hours. With these gutter guards, always make sure you measure properly to have enough gutter guard to finish the job.

  • 25-year warranty
  • Rustproof gutter guards with lots of availability
  • Three sizes available (5, 6, or 7 inches)
  • Stainless steel material
  • Any homeowner can install without professional help

Raptor Gutter Guards are available in all 50 states, as you can just order the proper amount for your home. Amazon is the best place to purchase the Raptor Gutter Guards, and the website features more than 4000 reviews for this product. Out of these 4000 reviews, the total rating for the Raptor Gutter Guards was 4.6 out of 5 stars. The Raptor Gutter guards are a strong gutter guard system, especially when considering the price.

Some of the complaints that we saw for Raptor Gutter Guards dealt with issues during heavy rain storms. Some rainstorms will come on strong, and when the gutter guard can’t keep up, the water will flow over the top of the guard and onto the ground. There is not much that can be done about this, and it happens with even the best gutter guards on the market.

Best Mesh Gutter Guard

Amerimax Home Products

4.0

Our Rating

Limited Time:
No current offers available.

The Amerimax Lock-In Gutter Guard is the easiest to install 5-inch gutter guard on the market. This is a powder-coated steel design that is durable and easy to work with. Homeowners with very little DIY experience should be able to manage to put the AmeriMax Lock-in gutter guard in place. With this lock-in or snap-in technology, it is easy to install Amerimax Home Products on both new gutters and older gutters.

With Amerimax Lock-In gutters, there are several widths available, and the easy installation makes them a top choice for many homeowners. If you are not accustomed to home improvement type projects, it is also an option to hire a local professional to install your Amerimax Lock-In Gutter Guards for you. Another great feature here is that the warranty on the gutter guards will last ten years; this is considerably longer than other DIY-type guards on the market.

Castle Windows is the best choice for homeowners seeking comprehensive, long-term warranty protection for their replacement windows. The company provides lifetime guarantees on windows and workmanship, giving customers some of the best buyer protection in the industry.

Castle’s protection applies to window units, glass, and labor, as long as the windows remain in their original openings. Even if you sell your home, its Castle Windows will retain non-prorated protection with transferable lifetime warranty coverage.

Castle provides customers with additional support in its troubleshooting and service guides. The troubleshooting guide provides extensive window maintenance and repair information, and the service guide video tutorials visually demonstrate how to care for your Castle Windows products.

  • Made of powder-coated steel
  • 4, 5, and 6-inch options
  • Available in packs of 1-25
  • 10-year warranty
  • Rustproof

Amerimax Gutter Guards can be purchased on Amazon, and they have more than 1200 customer reviews. Out of these reviews, they were able to get an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Customers found that the overall instructions on how to install these gutter guards are quite easy to follow.

One of the complaints that Amerimax Gutter Guards has is that these 5-inch gutter guards go under the first row of roof shingles, and this can sometimes cause a problem with the roof warranty. Make sure you check with your roof warranty provider before installing this Amerimax Gutter Guard in your home.

Buying Guide for 5-Inch Gutter Guards

Now that you have an idea as to which 5-inch gutter guards are the best on the market, it’s time to take a more detailed look into which could be the best for you. Our top picks have a variety of features and functionality, and it’s important to find a match that works specifically for your home.

Quality

The highest quality 5-inch gutter guards are typically stainless steel or aluminum gutter guards. This type of material will hold up over time and ensure that the guards can handle the water flow from a heavy rain storm. Higher-quality gutter guards will not rust or corrode over time, and they can do a great job of protecting your home and saving time and money.

Cost

Gutter guards vary in cost depending on the type that you purchase. PVC or plastic gutter guards are the lower-cost options on the market, but the best steel, metal, and aluminum gutter guards will increase in cost. In addition, professional installation will increase the total cost of a gutter guard installation. Many customers will try and save money by putting gutter guards in themselves. For very large homes, expect costs to be a bit higher because the number of linear feet needed to cover the gutters will increase significantly.

Installation

There are two installation options for a 5-inch gutter guard. You can use the professional installers that a company like LeafFilter will assign to your project, or you can purchase gutter guards that allow for DIY installation. The DIY installation is considerably less expensive, but you will have to dedicate the time and have some knowledge of home improvement. In addition, many DIY installations do not have as long of a warranty.

Appearance

Some gutter guards are barely visible when standing on the ground, looking back up at the house. However, others have very strong colors, and you will want to find something that matches your home. It’s important to work with a company that has several different color choices. In addition, there are sloped gutter guards that are more visible than snap-in gutter guards; keep this in mind.

Size Options

Our review focused on the best 5-inch gutter guards on the market. However, there are other sizes that gutter guards can come in. Most of these are standard sizes in the 4, 5, and 6-inch sizes. However, some gutter guard manufacturers will also make custom-sized gutters. If, for some reason, you need a custom width, there are options out there. In addition, make sure you take clear measurements of your home when doing a DIY installation t make sure you purchase enough product.

Warranty

Gutter guards that are professionally installed typically have a warranty of greater than 25 years. Some, like the LeafFilter Gutter Guards, will have a lifetime transferrable warranty. This means that even if you sell your home, you can transfer the warranty to the next buyer. Some DIY gutter guards like Raptor also offer a 25-year warranty with their gutter guards. The key is to find something that is of good value and makes it easier for you to justify the spending on your home gutter guard system.

Top Pick

275-micron stainless steel mesh design

Lifetime installation warranty

Offers new gutter installation services

GET QUOTE
Limited Time:
Get 15% Off Your Full-Service Gutter Installation
Most Durable

Manufactured to match your home

One-piece system includes a guard and gutter

Guaranteed not to clog

GET QUOTE
Limited Time:
75% Off Installation
Best Customer Service
gutter guards america logo

Sturdy aluminum frame and steel screens

Offers 0% financing

Provides gutter repair & installation

GET QUOTE
Limited Time:
Get $500 off in select locations!

Final Thoughts

We hope you now feel as though you can choose a 5-inch gutter guard for your home with complete confidence. Having gutter guards installed is something you will not regret. The key is to choose a manufacturer and installer that knows what they are doing and can make this process much more enjoyable. LeafFilter gutter guards are the best overall 5-inch gutter guards on the market. Whether you are new to your home or have lived there your entire life, the LeafFilter gutter guards can work with your current system. In addition, these gutter guards come with a lifetime transferrable warranty.

All homeowners should get more than one quote when shopping for gutter guards. Having a few different prices and products to compare can help ensure that you get the best overall pricing.

FAQs about 5-inch Gutter Guards

What is the #1 gutter guard?

The number one gutter guard is the LeafFilter gutter guard. This company has been on the market for more than 15 years, and they continue to offer gutter guard solutions all over the United States. With LeafFilter, you will not have to worry about the quality or functionality of the product as both stand out from others on the market. LeafFilter is a strong name in the industry and one that thousands of homeowners trust.


Is there a downside to gutter guards?

The only downside to gutter guards is that during heavy rain, there are times when the gutter guards will not let enough water through, and the water runs over the edge of the gutter. This, of course, ends up being a problem as water will pool around the foundation of the home. Although this is an issue, it would happen much more often if the gutter guards were not installed.


Do gutter guards work in heavy rain?

Gutter guards can work in heavy rain, but it all depends on the size of the micro mesh. Sometimes when a downpour first starts, water will run over the edge of the gutter. Once the rate slows, the micro-mesh allows some of the rainwater to flow through and into the gutters. This is fairly standard, but gutter guards like the LeafFilter hold up quite well in heavy rain.


What is the best size for a gutter guard?

The best size for a gutter guard is the one that matches your current gutter system. The standard sizes are typically 4, 5, and 6-inch gutter guards. Some companies will make custom options that work for customers as well.


How do you install gutter guards?

Gutter guards can be installed professionally or as a DIY Project. The DIY installation typically involved cutting a piece of gutter guard, sliding it under the first row of shingles, and then attaching it with hangers or simply snapping it into the current gutter system. Most DIY gutter guard installations are not difficult for the homeowner with some DIY skills.


How long does a gutter guard last?

A stainless steel micro-mesh gutter guard should last more than 25 years. These gutter guards are designed not to corrode or deteriorate, and they often have a lifetime warranty in place. Gutter guards that come with a warranty are the best investment as they will often be replaced if you find that there is an issue with functionality or deterioration over time. Most homeowners will only have to install gutter guards once in their lifetime.


How we Ranked, Reviewed, and Tested the Best Gutter Guards

Here, we’ve broken down our rating methodology for gutter guards. You should know that we’ve taken the utmost care to provide the most up-to-date information and to ensure that you make the best choice for your budgetary and home maintenance needs.

Why Trust Today's Homeowner? Our Gutter Ranking Methodology

At Today's Homeowner, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. We’ve done the homework for you and have researched over 50 gutter guards so you can have the information you need to make the best choice for your home. That’s why we took the time to create an objective rating system and score each gutter guard and gutter guard provider company according to our gutter ranking methodology.

We also dug into the details of each gutter guard to ensure that you could make the best decisions for your home and keep your gutters debris-free for years to come.

To make the most of our research, we developed a formula to objectively determine the best gutter guards based on the following criteria:

  • Material: Material durability was the single most important factor that went into our rating methodology for gutter guards. Whether they were stainless steel micro-mesh or plastic screening, we gave an in-depth rating for this criteria.
  • Debris Resistance: Our testing served as the primary evaluator for this factor. We curated a rating based on customer testimonials and our own in-house testing here.
  • Ease of Installation: Most of the gutter guard options listed have some DIY component involved. For this reason, guards that required the fewest specialty tools got the highest rating here.
  • Cost: How reasonable are prices in comparison to the industry average? We compared the costs of each company to competitors.
  • Warranty terms: We looked into the warranty of lifetime warranty terms if it is offered by the provider.
  • Trust: What do customers rate the company? We looked into what customers are saying about their experience with the company.
  • Buying process: if the gutter guard is a DIY installation, how easy is the buying process? We looked for shipping costs and shipping time, as well as where the product can be bought from.
Editorial Contributors
avatar for Britt Olizarowicz

Britt Olizarowicz

Britt Olizarowicz is a former real estate agent and landscaping business owner. She has a wide range of experience across several industries and was also a professional golfer. With her experience in investing, renovating, and improving properties Britt loves to share in all of the latest and greatest technologies, systems, and strategies to keep your home and garden looking great.

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photo of Lora Novak

Lora Novak

Senior Editor

Lora Novak meticulously proofreads and edits all commercial content for Today’s Homeowner to guarantee that it contains the most up-to-date information. Lora brings over 12 years of writing, editing, and digital marketing expertise. She’s worked on thousands of articles related to heating, air conditioning, ventilation, roofing, plumbing, lawn/garden, pest control, insurance, and other general homeownership topics.

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