Gutter Cover’s Protection Comparison

There are SO MANY gutter screens, inserts, and covers on the market it can take WEEKS to research them all.  Well here at researchgutters.com we’ve done it for you. You’ve found the easiest to understand and comprehensive guide available on the internet!

Gutter Cover Cost, Installed Pricing, Information

Product Name Type Cost(Per Foot)  Material/Installed Installation Method Advantages and Disadvantages
Plastic Screens Screen $.25-$1.00 

$1.00-$3.00

 Snap In may slide under shingles Cheap and Easy to install. 

Clogs easily itself, Breaks easily, susceptible to ice damage.  Low life span deteriorates in sun
Aluminum Screens Screen $.50-$1.50 

$1.00-$3.00

 Snap In may slide under shingles Inexpensive and Easy to install. 

Bends with ice. Leaves, stems, needles get stuck in holes. Hard to clean
PVC Coated Metal Screens Coated Screen $2.50-$10.00 

$6.50-$22.00

 Snap In / Screwed / Slid Under Shingles Relatively rugged- mid priced, easy to install 

Small debris clogs holes, hard to clean.  Quality and lifespan vary
Micro-Mesh Gutter Plastic Leaf Screens Screen with Mesh Filter $.89-$1.50 

$3-$8

 Snap In / Screwed / Slid Under Shingles Good value for money, Easy to Install keeps out small debrisQuality of mesh varies can clog, Plastic rapidly deteriorates, Ice damage possible
Micro-Mesh Metal Gutter Screens Screen with Mesh Filter $2.00-$7.00 

$5.00-$10.00

 Snap In / Screwed / Slid Under Shingles Mid Priced High Value and good longevity works large variety of debris 

Problems reported with Sap clogging holes.  Heavy rainfall with debris on top can cause water to not enter gutter
Gutter Filter Sponge Type Insert $2.00-$4.50 

$9.00-$14.00

 Insert Friction Fit Very Easy Install, Value Priced Product, Works small and large debris 

Clogging of holes, sap gumming up, debris can become logged between top of product and brackets or lip of gutter.
Gutter Stuff Sponge Type Insert $3.00-$4.00 

$5.00-$12.00

 Insert Friction Fit Very Easy Install, Value Priced Product, Works small and large debris 

Clogging of holes, sap gumming up, debris can become logged between top of product and brackets or lip of gutter.
Owens Corning RapidFlow Sponge Type Insert $4.00-$6.00 

$9-$12

 Insert Friction Fit Very Easy Install, Value Priced Product, Works small and large debris.  Strong brand name 

Clogging of holes, sap gumming up, debris can become logged between top of product and brackets or lip of gutter.
GutterFlow Sponge Type Insert $2.50-$3.50 

$5.00-$7.00

 Insert Friction Fit Very Easy Install, Value Priced Product, Works small and large debris 

Clogging of holes, sap gumming up, debris can become logged between top of product and brackets or lip of gutter.
GutterBrush Insert Brush $3.00-$3.50 

$5.00-$10.00

 Lays In Gutter Simple Install and mid priced product seams to work with leaves 

Pine needles big problem,  possible damage from ice.  Can clog up.
Leaf Filter Screen with Mesh Filter Dealer Installed Only 

$8.00-$14.0

 Snap In / Screwed / Slid Under Shingles Solid product, good warranty micro mesh is of excellent quality 

Dealer installed only mean higher price but backed by substantial warranty.  Fine particulates can cause less than optimal function
GutterGlove Screen with Mesh Filter Dealer Installed Only 

$10.00-12.00

 Snap In / Screwed / Slid Under Shingles Solid product, good warranty micro mesh is of excellent quality 

Dealer installed only mean higher price but backed by substantial warranty.  Some problems reported by stagnant debris causing improper function
MasterShield Screen with Mesh Filter Dealer Installed Only 

$9.00-$12.00

 Snap In / Screwed / Slid Under Shingles Solid product, good warranty micro mesh is of excellent quality 

Dealer installed only mean higher price but backed by substantial warranty. Reports of debris  wedges between top product and roof line.  Possible ice damage.
LeafProof Solid Cover About $3.00 

$10-$12

 Custom Bracket screws though gutter Relatively solid, low price for cover type product. 

Front slit gets clogged if not maintained, reports of heavy rainfall overwhelming product, causing water to flow over.
LeafRelief Aluminum Advanced Screen $2.50-$3.50 

$6.00-$10.00

 Screwed to Lip of gutter (retrofit) or fit into K Style (New) Good value for what get, high quality product from industry leader. Easy to blow off or clean 

Micro holes can be clogged by sap or needles.  Some splashing and subsequent overflow in heavy rains.
Leaf Solution Stainless Steel Micro-Mesh Dealer Installed Only 

$12-$15

 Screwed to lip, under or over shingle Solid product, good warranty micro mesh is of excellent quality 

Dealer installed only mean higher price but backed by substantial warranty. Pine needles can cause problems
K-Guard Gutter / Cover Combo Dealer Installed Only 

$16-$22

 Screws to Fascia or Roof Hangers Combo system, low profile, solid cover 

Reports of inadequate water handling capability, sap effect surface adhesion, nose of cover must be clean
Englert LeafGuard Gutter / Cover Combo Dealer Installed Only 

$18-$28

 Screws to Fascia or Roof Hangers Combo system, low profile, solid cover Excellent warranty 

Reports of inadequate water handling capability, sap effect surface adhesion, nose of cover must be clean
Gutter Topper Surface Tension Solid Cover Dealer Installed Only 

$15-$22

 Custom Bracket Strong cover and warranty.  Works well when properly installed 

Many instances of improper installation leads us to believe perfect installation is required for proper product function.  Steep slop roofs may cause water overflow.
TruGuard Surface Tension Solid Cover $4.00-$6.00 

$16-$20

 Custom Bracket Screws through Gutter Solid Product, Can self install, Excellent bracket guarantees nose forward design. 

Somewhat expensive, Must maintain clean nose of product or surface adhesion breaks and allows water to drip.  Sap will negatively effect performance.
Gutter Helmet Surface Tension Solid Cover Dealer Installed Only 

$22-$30

 Custom Bracket Possible Roof Penetration Innovator in Market, First mass surface adhesion cover, Strong warranty 

Highest Price, many reported problems with ice build up.  Nose forward design can be compromised by bad install.  Must maintain nose to maintain surface adhesion. Sap negatively effects performance.  Some experts don’t recommend extra roof penetration.
Gutter Spring Solid Metal $2.00 

$3-$10

 Snap In Very Easy install, value priced.  

New Product, not time tested, simple design.  Ice may damage thin metal.  Large amounts of leaves may overwhelm ability to self maintain system
Guttagard Solid Cover $1.55-$2.00 

$5-$10

 Snap In Reasonably priced, relatively simple install 

Problems reported with ice, seems nose space between gutter gets clogged. Finish deteriorates in sun
Amerimax Solid Vinyl Solid Cover $1.00-$1.50 

$3-$8

 Snap In Very Inexpensive solid product sold at national retailer. 

Mixed results, some difficulties with install.  Pine needles clog slit.  Susceptible to ice damage.

 

 

 

Variance in gutter protection Cost

 

Depending on your region of the country the cost of product can vary.  Installed dealers pricing can vary significantly even with exact same product. Remember the gutter installer ranges from your neighborhood teenager to a fully legitimate business paying workmans compensation, liability, taxes etc…

 

Half Round and Copper Gutter Protection

 

Specialty gutter protection is available and varies by region.  Most insert systems will work with half round gutters and many sponge type insert and screens are the most popular.

 

Special note with copper.  Copper gutters react(negatively) with aluminum and steel based gutter protection.  When covering copper gutters it is highly recommended you use copper product.  These are by far the most expensive covers on the market and range on average from, $30-$50 a foot installed.