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[CalminHeart]

Are LeafGuard gutters worth the money?  They cost quite a bit more than other types of covered gutters.  I have estimates from several contractors for several types of covered gutters.  I'm trying to decide which way to go.

[x Hedge]

I installed another type of gutter guard myself several years ago. They were very inexpensive. I bought them in 4' lengths at a local hardware/lumber store.

They are flexible plastic vinly, perforated, covered with screen on one side, and have a molded edge for gripping the edge of the gutter.

They can be cut to fit if you need a length shorter than 4' at the end.

Every few years I'll climb up to check them at a few different spots. They're always exactly as I installed them, keeping out leaves, tree seeds, etc. Gutters remain empty of debris and free flowing.

Not lifted out of place by high winds, mountains of annual snowfall, or birds who'd like to check what might be under this barrier.

Four years ago, something did a very hard landing that caved in a spot. Whatever hit here would've put a big dent in most gutter covers.

Was glad I'd bought a few extra lengths, and could replace this one section in the middle of the gutter without calling someone.

One of the best returns for money spent on the house.

[queendiva]

Depends on your needs.

My previous house was surrounded by large, mature trees. In 12 years I never had to clean the gutters, with the exception of one short length across the front of the house which had some gunk (not leaves) clogging the downspout this spring. LeafGuard brand and commercial size (larger) gutters and leaders.

[riley1]

@x Hedge - It sounds like yours are the same ones we installed. I have just enough big pine trees where the long needles get in the gutter and downspout. 

So far they were worth putting in and less expensive than the gutter people that come. My neighbor paid big $$$ to have someone come in and do this.

[proudlyfromNJ]

I'm not sure which ones we have, but they needed to be installed by a company. We used to have the screen over the gutters, but that didn't work well.

[x Hedge]

Oh, those are terrible @proudlyfromNJ!!

One of my neighbor's went that route.

The openings in the metal screens are about the same size as are in hardware cloth.

These screens block leaves, but all the tree seeds and pine needles go through.

The screens are hinged on one edge so you can still clean out your gutters (Lol!!) by just flipping them up out of the way.

My neighbor thought he wouldn't have to do that anymore, but he has trees sprouting in his gutters now, and the drainage is totally blocked.

In a hard downpour the water just overflows because of all the gunk in his gutters.

[DrakesMomma]

We used a local mom and pop company that offers something similar but the cost was less.  They have been great.  We are going on 5 years with them.  We do a quick check of them twice a year.  No signs of failure.  

[jlkz]

@x Hedge

Thanks for your post.  You described exactly what DH installed this summer.   Glad to know you got very good results.  At 76, he shouldn’t have to clean gutters....won’t hire a service !

[BirkiLady]

@CalminHeart  The last time my roof was replaced, I also had commercial sized gutters installed with gutter guards. Best money spent. The first few years, I would check the gutters a couple of times each year for seeds and other debris from trees, birds and dust. Apparently the rain has kept the gutters clean and free of anything that may have slipped into them. Each time I've checked, they were clean and my efforts were unnecessary.

Since then, I've had my downspouts buried underground so they drain into the commons area behind the house. I don't even have to worry about cleaning the end of those commercial sized downspouts any longer! Life is becoming easier and easier after living here 30 years. Who knew I'd enjoy this home all by myself for so many years? 

[shaggygirl]

I don't remember what brand we had installed many years ago but the only thing I don't like about them is that ever since then I get wicked icicles in the winter. So do the couple other houses on my block that have them. The houses that don't have them  have WAY LESS and smaller icicles and thus what they do have melt faster.

My one son lives about 20 min away and has them and complains about the icicles as well. He's considering having those electric thingies installed that warm up and melt the snow & ice. Two of my across the street neighbors have the electric thingies and they do a good job. They don't melt the whole roof, they're just zig zaged near the edgle and those two never have any icicles.