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Five Types of Gutter Guards and Their Unique Features

Gutter maintenance is an important task if you want to make your gutters last.  Gutters have an essential role to play.  And one important thing that you need to know is, what types of gutter guards do you have and its features.  They preserve the structural integrity of your home by channeling away rainwater.  Despite their value, we neglect cleaning it regularly until they get clogged with leaves, moss, dead animals, and other debris.

Blocked gutters no longer drain water the way they should.  As a result, water pools around your foundation. This creates several problems:

Cracks in your foundation
Wood rot
Landscape damage
Water leaks
Pest infestation

There is a solution that ends almost all gutter problems – gutter guards.  F

What Are Gutter Guards?

The easiest way to prevent clogging is to install gutter guards.  Gutter guards filter out debris so that only water passes through the gutters.  By having these protective mechanisms installed, you save time and effort from having to clean out gutters every time.  You can say goodbye to blockages and untimely gutter repairs.

5 Types of Gutter Guards for Your Home

Not all gutter guards are alike.  If you do research, you’ll realize that gutter protection comes in various materials and differ in their strengths and features.  Knowing what types of gutter guards you should install maximizes the lifespan of your roof and home.

1. Mesh gutter guards

Made of metal sheets, mesh gutter guards feature tiny holes.  They do an excellent job in keeping out tiny debris while drawing water in.  Every square inch contains hundreds of tiny holes.  What makes mesh gutter guards stand out is that you can have them installed on many types of gutters and roofs.  Because of this, homeowners may find them an appealing choice.

Mesh gutter guards are also known for their durability.  Other gutter materials are more likely to deteriorate over time; not with mesh.  If you plan to get new gutter guards, consider mesh guards a sound investment.

2. Bottle brush gutter guards

Cylindrical in shape, they pretty much look like wire cleaning brushes.  They’re similar to foam gutter guards in that they’re DIY friendly.  If you plan to install this kind of gutter guard, make sure to clean your gutters first.

Filtering out large debris such as leaves is what these gutter guards do best.  The spikes allow air to circulate to help the gutters dry out.  This mechanism prevents rusting.  Cleaning the brushes is required once a year.  All you need to do is remove the gutter guards and shake them off.

3. Screen gutter guards

Made of metal or plastic, screen gutter guards are affordable options and widely available.  Contractors also find these types of gutter guards easier to install.  However, when you compare between regular screen protection and fine mesh, fine mesh works best for filtering out small debris.

Because metal screen gutter guards tend to rust, they stain your home.  Opt for the plastic versions instead if you want to avoid this problem.  Pine needles can also get stuck in between the holes.  Be careful with these materials because they also blow out in strong winds.

4. Foam gutter guards

Also termed as foam gutter inserts, these gutter guards fit inside your gutters.  Their mechanism is to block all debris from entering.  They contain pores to allow only water to penetrate.  Foam gutter guards are made of polyether or polyurethane foam.  Another benefit is that you can install foam guards by yourself.
While a lot of these gutter protection materials come in packaging that features years of warranty, such information can be unbelievable.  They don’t last that long and will need replacement once every two years.  You might get one at a cheap price but frequent replacements make you end up paying for more.

5. Reverse curve gutter guards

These types of gutter guards are over one hundred years old.  Over the years, various manufacturers made changes in reverse curve gutter guards to improve their function. Unfortunately, this gutter protection system still has problems.  Below are some issues related to them:

Not all contractors are familiar with their proper installation techniques.
Difficult to remove during cleaning and maintenance.
Visible from the ground. You should pick a color that matches your roof.
The curved sections accumulate debris over time.
Promotes the formation of large icicles during winter.
Many sources claim that reverse gutters guards do not perform well in heavy rains.
Have you decided on the best gutter guards for your home?

Now that you know the various types of gutter guards, it’s up to you to make the final choice. Have you decided already?

Despite these differences in gutter guards, understand that there is no such thing as a perfect gutter protection.  Some gutter guards have powerful features but tend to cost more. Some are cheap but need to be replaced soon.  We advise you to pick gutter guards that strike a balance between price and usability.