The best way to keep leaves out of gutters is with gutter guards. Gutter guards are designed to prevent leaves, twigs and general debris from getting inside your gutters, while still allowing water to freely flow. There are 8 types of gutter guards you should be familiar with to keep your gutters clean.
1. Metal Screens
Metal screens are a basic type of gutter guard that lay on top of the gutter and then lock onto the outside of the gutter. Metal screens are easy to install and inexpensive.
2. Bottle Brush
Bottle brush gutter guards have bristles that point outwards to prevent debris from entering the gutter, while still allowing water to freely flow through the gutter.
3. Nylon
Nylon gutter guards are the best option for cooler climates as they work to help stop ice and snow accumulation. The other benefit of nylon gutter guards is they can fit directly into the gutter without having to be attached to your shingles.
4. Micro Mesh
This gutter guard consists of a frame and mesh filter that is available in a variety of sizes to fit any type of gutter. Micro mesh allows large amounts of water to flow through the gutters while still keeping leaves out. The downfall of micro mesh is they can be difficult to install, so it’s important that you hire a professional to install micro mesh guards
5. Reverse Curve
This type of gutter guard is typically made from vinyl or metal and specializes in preventing large debris from entering the gutter. The downside of reverse curve gutter guards is they don’t handle large amounts of water well, and can cause the rainwater to overshoot the gutter and fall to the ground.
6. Slit Gutter Covers
Slit gutter covers are similar to the reverse curve guard and work to increase the flow of rainwater into the gutter. Similar to the reverse curve, slit gutter covers struggle with large amounts of rain water.
7. Sponge or Foam Guards
Sponge or foam-like guards are placed in the gutter and allow water to flow through while blocking debris and working to keep leaves out of your gutters. The problem with sponge guards is when seeds get caught in the sponge, the seeds can sprout into plants, causing even more issues.
8. Surface Tension Guard
Surface tension guards are solid pieces of metal that allow water to track the surface of the guard. These guards guide the water into the gutter and prevent the water from spilling over the gutters. Like all gutter guards, surface tension guards work to keep leaves out of gutters and keep your gutters clean.
With so many gutter guard types, it can be hard to choose the best one for your home. Your best bet is to call in the professionals! To determine the best type of gutter guard for your home, give our experts at New Vision Exterior Solutions a call for a consultation today!