Gutter Protection Test Results
Summary: Gutters can be protected from big leaves with a gutter guard. Small
debris manages to infiltrate gutter covers, however, and gutter
cleaning is not avoided. I tested four gutter protection screens for
efficiency of gutter leaf protection..and the winners and losers are
listed here.
Related Articles: Gutter Cleaning Tips, Gutter Protection vs. Gutter Cleaning - Cost Analysis, Gutter Guards - Do They Really Work?
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
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Comments:
Barbara 08 Mar 2008, 13:06
Did you test LeafFilter and, if you did, what were the results? Thanks
AsktheBuilder 08 Mar 2008, 13:31
Barbara,
There is 15 inches of snow on my roofs...... If you want to know about all future test results you need to go here and sign up for my Email Notifications. When I do report, you will get an email. Go here: http://www.askthebuilder.com/EmailNotification.shtml
Camille 12 Jul 2008, 21:03
I would like to be notified of the results for your tests on "Leaf Filter"
brand gutter guards which you said you would have at the end of the summer.
Frances Galbreath 17 Jul 2008, 11:58
I am interested on reading the results of your testing the micromesh gutter
guard
dick phares 30 Jul 2008, 16:42
the stainless steel micromesh screen gutter guard you are now testing, can
you tell me the manufactuer of this product?
ron 17 Aug 2008, 15:29
I tried a product very similiar if not the same as the Amerimax Home
Product. This product also had a mess screen to cover the diamond shaped
holes. It snapped to the lip of the 6" gutter. I installed in spring and
by the end of summer, the plastic/vinyl product was badly warped. I
returned to the local home supply store for a refund. Will only try
aluminum product next.
Tom Clemens 19 Aug 2008, 11:45
Please send me new comments for Leaf guards.
steve 06 Sep 2008, 23:52
tim, can you clarify which specific amerimax guard you liked here...they
have a few that are similar. thanks.
Humayun Mirza 14 Mar 2009, 15:31
I need a new gutter system that will keep all the leaves and debries out.
There are many trees in my neighborhood so keeping the gutters clean is a
real problem. I have estimates from various companies that range from $5000
to $10000. But I am not convinced that the systems proposed would work for
me. Can you advise me as to whether there is a product available that can
ensure that I will not have to clean my gutters again?
Scott 08 Mar 2010, 09:00
I live in Virginia and two years ago had Leafsolution installed on my home.
We have gotten over 4 ft. of snow this year and they have held up
beautifully and functioned great to the best of my knowledge. Id just like
to know what the downfall to this gutter guard is because so far so
good.......or I should say great. I ask this because my luck isnt normally
this good!!!!
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