Gutter Protection Test Results

OK, so call me a doubting Thomas. Certain building products I can not test scientifically. For example I can't do wind tests on windows. I don't have a lab to do water absorption testing on wood sealants. However, gutter guards are within my capabilities. You simply install them and log the results. The other stuff you have to "trust" manufacturer's claims or get independent results.

I took a chance with my testing. I decided that I would not test any product that required permanent installation to my aluminum gutters. This automatically knocked several major brand aluminum gutter guards out of the picture. The reason I didn't want to test them was based upon my hypothesis that the guards would allow some debris into the gutters. If this was the case, then it would be virtually impossible - or at least highly impractical to clean the gutters at a future time. When I rolled the dice it came up "7". All of the products allowed debris to enter the gutters!

I have listed below the three products I tested. There are many more gutter guards out there. In fact, I suspect that there could be up to 100 fabricators, many located in just a small regional area. I feel that you should look for the characteristics I described in my "Winners" section. Stay away from the losers.........

LOSERS

• Benjamin Obdyke
  This gutter guard was a nightmare from the get go. It was difficult to install because of its "accordion" design. This vinyl gutter guard had parallel rows of pleats. At the bottom of the pleats were slits that allowed water to enter the gutters. The accordion design made it very difficult to slide the products up under the gutters. These devices got clogged quickly with the spring debris from by maple and pin oak trees.
  
  
• Nameless Product
  Here is a product I bought at a home center store. This simple vinyl gutter guard had numerous rows of holes in it. The holes were 7/16 inch in diameter. The front of the product had jaws that were at first unrecognizable as such. They were designed so that the device could clamp on the top lip of the gutter. I found it impossible to spread the jaws by hand. Debris was caught by these jaws and eventually caused the guards to sag into the gutter. These guards were the worst performer.
  

WINNER

• Amerimax Home Products
  This simple vinyl gutter guard that I purchased at a home center store looked like the loser product with holes in it at first. However it was very different. It had elongated diamond shaped knockouts in it. These knockouts block all but the smallest debris from getting into the gutters but are wide enough to allow you to direct a hose spray into the gutter to flush the mush out every other year. The diamond knockouts were 1/4 inch wide by 1/2 inch long. Open front jaws allowed this flexible guard to quickly and snugly attach to the front gutter lip. It was the shortest gutter guard in the group - only 3 feet long. I found this a huge plus while installing the product. Read the label when installing as it has an up side and a down side. If you can find this one, buy it! Why? This is the overall winning product.
  

If you do want to limit your gutter cleaning experiences to the spring and summer, then install gutter guards. They all do a great job of keeping big leaves out of gutters.

Gutter Guard Manufacturers

• Crane Plastics
  
  
• Gutter Armor
  
  
• Gutter Helmet
  
  
• Gutter Topper
  
  
• WaterLoov
  
  
• Leaf Relief