Welcome to Family Roofing

CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004   FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM

 

At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

 

TYPES OF GUTTER GUARDS

Rain and storm gutter systems catch rainwater from a home’s roof and direct it away from the building foundation.  However, debris, uneven water flow, and nesting critters can prevent rain gutters from working properly.  Gutter guards are devices that prevent leaves, pine needles, twigs, and other debris from entering the gutter and interfering with water flow to keep gutters working smoothly.  Homeowners have a wide variety of options when choosing gutter guards and have many factors to consider.

Types of Gutter Guards

The type or style of gutter guard refers to its construction.  The different types employ different methods of blocking debris and allowing water to enter and flow through the gutter system.  Each type has benefits, and each type is prone to failure in different ways.  The location of the home, the types of debris, the buyer’s budget, and the weather patterns in the area are all important factors in determining the right type of gutter guard for a given home.

Here is a more detailed summary of each style of gutter guard:

1. Micro-Mesh

Micro-mesh, or fine-mesh, gutter guards consist of tightly woven screens that create a fine mesh attached to a supporting frame that attaches to the rain gutter.  The mesh itself is almost always made of nylon, aluminum, or stainless steel.  The fine mesh gutter screen allows water to pass through while blocking even the smallest debris.  The fine mesh varies between companies, with some using a mesh screen so fine that it even blocks dirt from passing through.

Most experts agree that gutter screens using fine mesh are the most effective gutter guard systems available.  The finely woven filter prevents all types of debris like pine needles, twigs, leaves, and dirt from entering the gutter, while still allowing rain water to easily enter.  Similarly, insects and animals cannot enter the gutter either when they are covered by these screens.

The downside of fine-mesh screens is that when they are extremely fine, these screens can begin to grow algae or mold when used in very wet environments.  Because the gaps in the mesh are so small, some water droplets might remain stuck in the gaps due to surface tension.  Typically, this isn’t a problem because the water eventually evaporates when rain ceases or the temperature rises.  However, if the region is particularly rainy, humid, or cloudy, these droplets might rarely get the opportunity to dry, and microscopic algae or mold can start to grow within the water and slowly spread across the mesh.  Over time, this can start to impede water flow or damage the mesh.  However, this usually will take months to happen, so regularly cleaning gutter guards can prevent this issue.

2. Screens

Screen gutter guards are typically made from aluminum, steel, plastic, or vinyl sections with small holes in them.  The holes may be punched through a sheet of material, but sometimes a wide wire mesh with large holes is used.  This style is conceptually similar to using a mesh gutter screen, but the holes are much larger.  The larger gutter screen blocks leaves, sticks, twigs, animals, and most debris from entering the gutter system, and water is able to easily pass through the screen.

The size and shape of the holes in these gutter guards vary significantly between brands, and homeowners considering this type of guard should consider the types of foliage in their area.  One of the biggest downsides to this style of guard is that the large holes make it easy for small debris and small insects to find their way into the gutter system.  This style is best used in areas where leaves and sticks—not needles, dust, and fine debris—are the biggest concern.

One positive aspect of the larger holes and a more open design is that they can make these guards easier to clean.  If the holes are large enough, or if a wide mesh is used, homeowners may be able to clean the gutter guards and their gutter system using a high-pressure hose nozzle to spray off and push through any debris or leaves that get caught in the holes or make their way into the gutter.

This type of gutter guard is very popular, and highly effective.  Price for this style can vary quite a bit, depending on the material the guard is constructed from.  Plastic is the cheapest option, while aluminum or stainless steel guards are a little more expensive.  Plastic-screen gutter guards are the most affordable option available of any gutter guard. Metal screen guards are also among the most affordable options. Screen gutter guards provide the best return on investment for homeowners looking to save money when purchasing gutter guards.

3. Reverse Curve (Surface Tension)

Reverse curve gutter guards are designed to leverage surface tension on a downward sloping surface to lead water from their top surface through a narrow opening into the rain gutters, which is why they are also commonly referred to as surface tension gutter guards.   The surface is usually textured or ribbed to increase the surface tension, making sure the water flowing from the roof sticks to the surface and flows into the gutters, rather than flowing off the edge onto the ground below. Typically, the top surface of the gutter guard also extends beyond the edge of the gutter, making it unlikely that debris can fall into the gutters’ small opening.

This type of gutter guard is meant to last for a long time and eliminate the need for cleaning, though occasional cleaning will always be necessary for any type of guard. In fact, the underside of the curve tends to become dirty over time. While rain tends to wash dirt and grime from the top surface, the underside doesn’t get the same amount of rain water hitting it, and dirty water and small particles can start to build up and even block water from flowing in smoothly.

Surface tension gutter guards are designed to be installed underneath the first or second row of roof shingles, which is problematic for a couple of reasons.  First, they will likely be visible from the street or walkway in front of the home.  So buyers must pay special attention to ensure they match the roof and/or gutters so they don’t stand out in an unappealing way.  Second, because the shingles must be lifted to accommodate this style of gutter guard, the integrity of the roof shingles may be compromised and become prone to early wear, compared to the rest of the roof’s shingles.

These gutter guards must be installed by a professional, usually a representative or affiliate of the company who makes them.  For all of these reasons, surface tension gutter guards are less desirable and less often recommended by professional contractors and experts.

4. Brush

The brush-style gutter guard is constructed in a form that looks very much like a pipe cleaner.  It is designed to rest inside of the gutter, block debris, and allow water to pass through its bristles.  This type of gutter guard is made from a thick metal wire core, usually between one and three feet in length, with polypropylene bristles extending from the center.

Brush style guards are one of the lowest-cost options on the market.  A major benefit of the brush-style gutter guard is the ease of installation.  They are typically sold in small sections that can be inserted into the gutters.  Unlike most other types of gutter guards, they require no screws or connections to the rain gutters they protect.  Virtually any homeowner with a ladder can install brush gutter guards themselves, so professional installation is rarely required unless the gutters are difficult to reach.  Additionally, the brushes are easily bent to fit corners and unusually shaped gutter systems.

Brush-style gutter guards do not actually cover the gutters, so while they do prevent leaves and other debris from building up and impeding the flow of water, they tend to catch the debris in their bristles, so they may need to be cleaned more often than other types of guards.  On the bright side, cleaning these gutter guards is easier than with any other style because they can be easily removed, sprayed with a hose, and replaced with little effort.  However, since they do catch and fill up with debris so easily, homes surrounded by trees that drop significant numbers of small leaves or needles may want to try other styles.

This is a very effective type of gutter guard when used in the right situations.  Homeowners in areas with light foliage who don’t mind regular cleaning and would prefer to save money on the guard and its installation might like this design over other styles that can be more expensive to install.

5. Foam

Foam gutter guards are triangular blocks of foam designed to sit inside of rain gutters and block debris from entering while allowing water to easily pass through their porous composition.

These guards are extremely easy to install, and usually won’t require professional installation. They are typically sold in small sections that can easily be inserted into the gutter system.  They can also be cut at an angle to fit corner sections.  Because these gutter guards are placed within the rain gutters, they are not visible from the street or walkway in front of the home.

On the downside, in heavy rain or moist climates, these foam blocks can get saturated with water and can begin to create mold, rot, or mildew. When this happens, the foam guards will need to be replaced.  These guards are also not the best for keeping out insects or small rodents, who can burrow into the foam and make nests.

Foam-style gutter guards are some of the cheapest gutter guards available to homeowners.  While they are cheaper than the other types of gutter guards, they also have more problems associated with them, and need to be cleaned and/or replaced more frequently.  However, they may still be a good option for homeowners who don’t want to spend a lot of money on gutter guards and who would prefer a do-it-yourself installation.