My Field Perspective on Gutter Guards
I'm the one who gets on the roofs and installs the systems. Gutter guards — I install them and I remove them, so I know what I'm talking about.
Gutter Guards Are for Conscientious People
We install them and recommend them — but to the right person. If you're the type to do a bit of maintenance from time to time, they're a good product that helps. But if your goal is to never think about it again, it'll do more harm than good. Debris accumulates on the guards, water flows over them, and you end up with a worse problem than before.
What I See in the Field
I've removed gutter guards that were supposed to be "zero maintenance" and had become planters. Leaves pile up on them, moss grows in them, and instead of water entering the gutter, it goes over the top and falls next to the house. Counterproductive.
Different Types and Their Real Problems
**Metal screens:** Conifer needles pass through or get caught on top. Cleaning required.
**Vinyl gutter guards:** They may seem fine at first, but vinyl cracks with Quebec winters. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles end up splitting them and making them useless after a few seasons.
**Foam:** It fills with debris and becomes a rotten sponge. The worst of the three.
The Alternative I Often Install
Sometimes it's better to install bigger downspouts than gutter guards. A 6-inch system with 3x4 inch downspouts evacuates water more efficiently and handles debris better than a 5-inch system with guards.
When We Install Them at Akaro
We install gutter guards when:
- The customer understands they need maintenance
- There are many problematic trees
- The customer is physically unable to clean their gutters
We don't install them when the customer thinks it will eliminate all maintenance. That's not honest and it'll end up hurting them.
The Real Math
Gutter guards represent a significant investment. For the same amount, you could have your gutters professionally cleaned for several years.
If you have few trees, forget gutter guards. If you have many, consider a bigger system first before thinking about guards.
And if you decide to install them, still plan for occasional maintenance. Otherwise, you risk ending up with bigger problems than what you wanted to avoid.