How Much Do Gutter Guards Cost?

Gutter guards may not seem all that crucial to your plans, however, there are many benefits that come with the application and implementation of the gutter guards. Since gutters can be used for virtually any kind of issues that you might face with the elements and the weather, gutter guards are typically what you want to consider when you’re thinking about what the occurrences you wish to avoid or prevent.

Gutter guards are useful against debris or pileup of matter, rodents or insects, and even fires. These components for your gutters aren’t solely used for protection but can be incorporated for a decrease in maintenance costs, a level of protection against ice and frozen conditions, and a layer of revitalization against rust and corrosion.

While there are many homeowners that may find it redundant to install a gutter guard, however, there are many reasons as to why the gutter guard is considered an important piece in the home. Depending on the kind of materials you’re using to find a capable gutter guard, you’ll find there are many different attributes to consider when you’re trying to find the right kind of coverage and assurance. 

Cost of Gutter Guards By Type

The cost of gutter guards can vary from the type you’re looking to install. Depending on this installation, homeowners may have different estimates associated with their needs and accommodations. By understanding what each of the gutter guard types are capable of, homeowners will be able to figure out which of the types are the best to add to the integrity of their space. 

Gutter guards are vulnerable to ice dams, however, there are certain gutter guards that provide a level of protection against the measures that could accumulate snow and ice around your home. The risks and injuries that could occur from ignoring the damages that could pertain to these conditions. More importantly, you should know about the materials that are involved with the types of gutter guards there are.

Cost of Gutter Guards By Materials  

There are typically about six types of installations that homeowners can advantageously utilize: foam, brush, plastic screening, surface-tension, and micro-mesh. While homeowners might find that there are certain advantages and disadvantages that come with the gutters, any of these gutter guards will help you with finding out which of these uses are optimal for your home.

Although the materials will be associated with the spaces that it’s going to be installed into, the amount can be associated with labor costs. Each of the materials will have an estimated range from $130 to $6900, depending on the amount of linear footage being planned. Homeowners will have to arrange the kind of systems you’d like to install into the rest of your aesthetic.

Plastic Screen

There are two choices for the screen you want to install for the good of your roof and the rest of your home. Similar in appearance and application to a screen door, the plastic screen gutter guard is used to remove the smaller debris from the larger hole that is used for this type. By using the plastic screen, homeowners will have less concerns from leaves, twigs, branches, pine cones, insects, and many other pests. Homeowners will have to spend a range of $0.40 to $1.50 per linear foot. One of the more mandatory maintenance requirements for installing the plastic screen is how often you may need to blow off the gutters.

Vinyl

Homeowners will often use the vinyl gutter guards that are more affordable options than the rest of the gutter guards on this list. Commonly sold as three to four feet long, the vinyl gutter guards are useful for when you don’t have protection against drip edging or something to tuck underneath the eave. The vinyl gutter guards are an application that can be considered beneficial to those that want protection that lasts for up to six years. Unfortunately, harsher conditions may shorten the lifespan. You should expect to spend about $0.60 to $1.50 per linear foot.

Steel Screen

The steel screen is a better alternative out of the two screen gutter guards that are available for homeowners. This option will cost about $1.50 to $3.50 per linear foot. The purpose that the steel screen guard provides is meant to last longer and will offer more longevity compared to the plastic screen gutter guards. Homeowners typically favor the steel screen due to these characteristics and benefits. Keep in mind that there are different metals to consider like aluminum, however, the high-quality products will be costlier to install.

Foam

Foam gutters are typically one of the easier installations to arrange and fit into the rest of your gutters. The foam allows water to flow without any complications that could arise from the top of your gutters. Debris will likely still fall and could potentially become a problem at a later date. Keep in mind that the foam gutter guards will still require maintenance from time to time, and could become a fire hazard in due time, if left unchecked. Frequently, homeowners will have to deal with the distraught amount of buildup. Also keep in mind that the guards may accumulate acorns and other organic material that could cause accidental damage. Costing anywhere between $2 to $3.50 per linear foot, the foam gutter guards are a useful way to sift through the unnecessary frustrations that might affect the overall condition of your gutters. 

Brush

The brush gutter guards typically captures the debris in your gutters and allows water to flow freely without being hindered. By using the brush gutter guards, homeowners will have a great time finding all the beneficial applications that come with the issues that arise with your gutters. By using brush gutter guards as the main component to prevent the smaller, almost microscopic matter that might invade the rest of your home. Homeowners will find the peskiness of these tinier hindrances. The brush gutter guard will cost about $2.50 to $4.25 per linear foot. Brush gutter guards are frequently used to prevent leaves, twigs, branches, and pine cones from breaching your gutters.

Surface-Tension

The surface-tension gutter guards are most commonly used for cases with preventing the larger volume of buildup risks. The surface-tension guards will likely cost about $3.50 to $6.50 per linear foot. These gutter guards are most capable and commonly used for sloped roofs. Surface tension gutter guards are typically the best assets for durability, they can last, on average, for about ten to 20 years. Gutter guards with this kind of utility can be quite the useful application for your gutter needs. Also referred to as gutter helmets, the surface-tension gutter guards are used for homes that have somewhat angled top portions.  

Micro-Mesh

Homeowners will be able to install micro-mesh gutter guards for about $2 to $4 per linear foot. The installation is a much tighter solution than the standard mesh gutter guards and compared to the standard, the micro-mesh covering is a more capable application against the smallest of particulates that could affect your and your family’s health. If you’re trying to find a gutter guard that not only shields your home from the buildup, but also a piece of equipment that can defend your conditions against the weather patterns and unexpected climate changes. Homeowners should expect a difficult installation when trying to add the micro-mesh, so it’s highly advisable to consult with a team of professionals to help them with the project in mind.

Labor Cost For Gutter Guard Installation

Professionals will typically charge about $2 to $4 per linear foot, on top of the kind of materials you’re trying to install. Figuring out the kind of roof you have in your home and the gutter guard you’re considering will help you inform the experts on which of the installations are the most applicable for your situation. While there are homeowners that will regard the labor costs aggravating, it’ll be a necessary adjustment to the budget since there are certain dangers that come with handling a gutter guard installation.

Cost Of Installation Factors

There are about five different factors that could affect the overall costs involving your gutter guard installation. While there are additional considerations to think about, you can find the estimated changes by configuring your accommodations and needs. By filtering out the right layout, the professionals in and around your area will be able to narrow down the insight of your estimates. 

While you may be hesitant in asking any of your interested inquiries, the installation of your gutter guards require a straightforward understanding and approach. While the gutter length and size, roof angle, and accessibility are some of the factors that will change your budget, however, professionals will likely ask how many floors they’d have to climb and what the climate of your location is like.

Length And Size Of Gutter

The length and size of your gutter guard materials to outfit into your home will increase the cost of your installation. Although you may not retain this knowledge, homeowners can easily assess the size and length of their gutters by the way they’re either shaped or being used. Depending on these concepts, homeowners might have to pay more for additional linear feet of those raw materials and the additional labor costs for the time being put into the project. The majority of gutters are around five inches wide, however, there are exceptions to this standard, where there could be pieces that range between four to six inches. 

Although the size might vary, the cost might increase, depending on the unusually sized gutter pieces that may need to be installed. Keep in mind that this cost adjustment will be affected by the size of the home. Although the determination of the sizing may not be recurrent, professionals will be able to give you both the measurements and estimates upon the estimated consultation. 

Roof Angle

Homeowners that don’t have a preconceived plan into installing their gutter guards will have to think about the angles and configurations that come with their roofing plans. While steepness will come into the estimating process, homeowners need to feel comfortable and assured by the sense of clearly knowing what will affect the overall estimated prices. Roofs and gutters are often associated with the project costs and will have many different services that might be required for the job.

The condition of the roof might also be a part of the project, the professionals might have to work on top of the house and may require the space to install, repair, or improve the gutters with the gutter guards and pieces. Depending on the way your roof is constructed, the installation professionals could need additional safety equipment involved with the job. The ground in the lower portions of the home may need uneven ground might be an underlying issue with the way the ladders are placed or positioned.

Roof Accessibility

The way the roof is designed will provide a degree of accessibility that may be needed for homeowners to accommodate the specific issues that could come with the way the gutters are aligned. It won’t entirely be up to how the roof is constructed, but there are other factors that could impact the overall installation. The roof’s accessibility will determine what kind of safety concerns to consider.

There is no calculation that can surmise the estimate with the accessibility to the roof. By providing the information or summation of what the roof could look like, homeowners and professionals will have a better time in organizing and completing the tasks required.

Attachment Methods

The gutter guard has a few different ways to be attached onto the gutters. While homeowners will have to think about which attachment is compatible with their specifications, the attachment is something that will either make a huge improvement to your home or exterior. Depending on what your needs or accommodations are, you’ll be using either the screw or bolt-on, the hinge, the snap-on or lock-in, the resting attachment, or the under-shingle piece.

Screw

A screw attachment to install mesh-screen guards is probably the most standard way to attach gutter guards into your home. Adding a level of structural support to the gutters, the screw attachment is a durable option that maintains the stability of one’s gutters. Preventing the snow, ice, or any critters from crawling into your spaces, the screw method is a main proponent to make sure that the gutters won’t become damaged over time. However, homeowners should keep in mind that professionals will have an easier time of installing the gutter guards through another method.

Hinge

The hinge gutter guards are designed to be clipped or screwed onto the home’s gutters. By using the guards, homeowners will find that the hinge method is the most effective with screen or mesh style gutter guards. Typically, the materials will involve either aluminum, vinyl, or steel. 

Snap-On

Homeowners will be able to use snap-on attachments by adding in screws or small bolts for a degree of security to their gutters and gutter guards. The snap-on attachment can be installed without professional assistance, however, the type of home gutters that are required to properly fit are what makes this installation a much more obfuscating task. Although it is commonly simple to attach, the snap-on attachments require a level of professionalism to complete. Keep in mind that without the professional to help you, animals that can climb onto your roof and the weather may affect the integrity of this installation.

Resting

Professionals will suggest the use of in-gutter attachments to be placed within the gutters, rather than being placed on top. Although it is considered to be one of the most simple installations, the resting attachment is limited to the use of screen-style gutter guards. Luckily, homeowners also have the choice of either the foam or brush options. The unfortunate aspect of using the resting gutter guards is that they are prone to high levels of maintenance. 

Under-Shingle

Made to slide under the layer of the roof’s shingles, the under-shingle, which is named after its purpose and method of installation, is typically snapped or screwed onto the outside edge of the gutter. Although it is controversial by design, the under-shingle attachment offers provisional gutter protection. Homeowners have two options, mesh or screen for this method, however, homeowners prefer to use the surface-tension gutter guards with the under-shingle attachment method. The installation process will involve elevating the water barrier, which will affect this type of attachment. 

K-Style Or Half-Round Gutter Style

There are two notable gutter styles to consider when the installation project begins. Depending on whether you already have either of these two styles already in place, homeowners will have to think about which of these styles align with one’s needs. One thing to remind yourself of is how most gutter guards are accessible for both styles. By the gutter’s designs, homeowners can figure out which of  these guards will fit and be most advantageous to their engagement. By determining the style and size of the gutter guards, homeowners will be more informed whether the gutter guard is compatible with the style and size. 

Durability And Warranty Of Gutter Guard Installation

While it is important to install gutter guards for your gutters, homeowners should consider the span of durability that each of the gutter guards yield and the maintenance required to keep them in good condition. Mentioned previously in the sections above, the state of the gutter guards are typically dependent on the material and the way the gutter guard is designed and constructed. Aluminum and steel are made to last the longest out of the materials that are available. Depending on what your budget is and who you decide to consult, your gutter guards may either be used for quite a long time or for only a short while. 

Finding Multiple Estimates Through House Tipster

Arranging and customizing the gutters can be a difficult responsibility to uphold, however, by using House Tipster, you’ll be able to skip the most challenging step of finding the right listing that fits all your needs. While there is a wide variety of home professionals to help you, there is a percentage that may not tick all your boxes.

House Tipster uses a whole range of professional listings near your area. Whether you’re struggling to find a professional that is more affordable to tackle on your projects, or whether you’re a homeowner that prefers quality over quantity, our web tool can narrow down your search. We have two features that help with your search parameters: the chat and review functions.

While the chat function is often used for homeowners to ask questions and inquire about what the estimates might require, you can use our web tool to directly chat with your interested listing. The chat function allows homeowners to assess the needs that they may want to include into their plans and layouts. The reviews function allows homeowners to browse through the many projects that the listing worked on in the past. Utilizing both features will help you pinpoint exactly the professional listing you need to complete all the renovation and home improvement projects you’ve wanted to work on.

Featured Image By Zachary Keimig On Unsplash