As a homeowner, you must already know the importance of gutter systems on your home. They are crucial roofing components that help keep the water away from your property. But over time, gutters can get clogged with dust and debris, compromising your home. Regularly maintaining your rain gutters is sometimes not possible, which is when gutter guards will provide you great value.
Gutter guards are items that protect your gutter system by helping to keep leaves and debris from entering the gutter channels. Gutter guards come in different types depending on their material and functionality.
Read on to learn more about some common gutter guard types.
Popular Types Of Gutter Guards
Gutter guards have come a long way since their introduction to the market. They are now more efficient than ever and can be customized according to each homeowner’s needs.
Here are the six most popular types of gutter guards available on the market.
Mesh Gutter Guards/ Micro-Mesh Gutter Guards
The Micro-mesh gutter guards are the most advanced and effective solution for keeping your gutters clean. They’re made from a very fine mesh that catches debris as it comes down from the roof. This helps you avoid frequently cleaning out your gutters, which can be time-consuming and messy!
Micro-mesh gutter guards are an excellent solution for gutter maintenance. They’re made of super fine material, so it keeps large debris like twigs from entering your gutter while still allowing water to flow through the mesh. The mesh also allows you to see what’s going on inside your gutters so that you can spot any problems before they get worse.
Foam Gutter Guards
Foam gutter guards may not be as popular as micro-mesh gutter guards, but they do offer good value for their price. Foam gutter guards are an affordable way to protect your home’s gutters, downspouts, and foundation, from water damage. They’re made of safe and effective foam material, so they won’t cause any harm to your roof or foundation.
Foam guards will keep leaves out of the gutters, so they don’t get caught up in them when it rains. You can also install the foam gutter guards yourself, as they can easily be cut and placed inside the gutters. However, they do face certain issues when it comes to their lifespan. You cannot use them every year without having to replace them every time as the foam becomes worn out, or gets saturated from high levels of rain or heavy snowfall.
Brush Gutter Guards
A brush gutter guard has a circular shape and is made of solid bristles that protect the gutter systems. They are ideal for protecting your house from leaves, pine needles, twigs, and other debris that would otherwise clog up your gutters.
These guards arrive in pieces and are installed on the inside of the gutter channels.
They also come in a variety of colors and styles so you can choose one that matches the gutter style on your home. This gutter guard does not require regular maintenance either.
There are, however, some concerns related to these gutter guards. Fine debris like shingle granules can still find its way into your gutters, and the small debris that gets trapped in the bristles is harder to remove and can sometimes even lead to the gutters clogging.
Screen Gutter Guards
Screen gutter guards are one of the most straightforward gutter guards available on the market. They include a screen, usually made from plastic or another lightweight material that is installed on the top of the gutter system. The grid has holes that allow rainwater to pass easily through the channels but blocks leaves and twigs.
How To Install Screen Gutter Guards
Installing this type of gutter guard is not much of a hassle since screen gutter guards do not need to be installed with nails and screws, the edge of the gutter screen is just placed beneath the bottom line of the shingles. To do this, you use a pry to lift the bottom row of the shingles, set the screen guard in place, and gently place the shingles back. However, to make sure you do not void the warranty on your shingles, contact a professional contractor for installation.
Due to the large holes, debris can still find its way into your gutter. This could be a cause for concern if there are many trees around your home. Since the guards are also not attached mechanically, strong winds can easily blow these gutter guards away. So if your home is in an area that faces extreme weather conditions year-round, then screen gutter guards might not be the best option for you.
Reverse-Curve Gutter Guards
Reverse-curve gutter guards are a unique and effective way to protect the gutters on your home or business. Also known as surface tension guards, this is a flat gutter guard that is installed on the top of the gutters and extends to the edge, where it curves down into the gutter channel leaving a small gap. At first glance, it may seem like your gutters are fully covered.
When it rains, the water slides over the top of the gutter guard and then through the small gap into the gutter channel and through the downspouts. Meanwhile, debris and leaves roll off the surface of the guard and fall to the ground.
Reverse gutter guards are one of the most durable gutter guards available on the market since they last longer and withstand harsher weather conditions. However, these gutter guards can be more expensive than other gutter protection systems described in our blog’s above sections.
Plastic Gutter Guards
Plastic gutter guards are an inexpensive way to keep your gutters safe from common wear and tear. They protect your gutter from falling leaves, ice, rain, and other debris. You can find plastic gutter guards in many different colors, which will allow you to match them with the color of your roof.
Since these gutter guards are made from plastic, they are not as durable. Though affordable, they cannot offer adequate protection during harsh weather conditions.
Final Thoughts
We hope you have learned some new information about different types of gutter guards and what they can do for you. If you’re looking for a way to protect your gutters, there are many options out there. It all depends on what type of gutter guard will work best for your home and budget. You can also check out our blog on the top 10 rain gutter guards in the market for more information.
It’s important to note that no matter which type of gutter guard you choose, it should be installed by professionals. You want a contractor with experience installing these types of products to prevent any damage, or warranty violation, from occurring.
Need To Replace Your Gutter Systems?
At Miller Roofing and Renovations, we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best possible service. We’ve been in business for over 30 years, and we know how to listen to our customer’s desires and deliver the solutions they need for their homes or business. If you are looking to repair or replace your gutter systems, then you need to get in touch with our experts. We’ll take care of the rest! Contact us today at (901) 457-9405 to know more.
