Designed to tackle problems arising from unmanaged rainwater, gutter guards are an often overlooked part of the home. There are many reasons to install gutter guards. They not only prevent debris accumulation in gutters but also play a significant role in reducing the need for frequent cleaning while protecting against water damage and foundation issues.
In evaluating the best gutter guard companies, our approach at Forbes Home is thorough and pragmatic. We assess not only the product’s effectiveness and durability but also customer satisfaction, ease of installation, cost-effectiveness and the company’s reliability. In our review, we aim to provide you with comprehensive insights based on these criteria to help you decide if LeafGuard is a good fit for your home.
Pros
- Lifetime transferable warranty
- Offers a clog-free guarantee with free gutter cleaning should your system ever clog
- LeafGuard’s sturdy one-piece design offers increased durability
Cons
- Some instances of overspill issues
- Your geographical location could influence LeafGuard’s effectiveness
- Professional installation required
- LeafGuard’s unique one-piece, debris-shedding design aims to significantly reduce gutter maintenance.
- Customer reviews on platforms like BBB present a mixed picture, with some praising LeafGuard’s service and functionality, while others highlight issues related to specific debris and maintenance expectations.
- LeafGuard offers a comprehensive warranty and custom-fit installation, but potential buyers should weigh these benefits against their specific needs and the system’s cost to determine its suitability for their home.
Table of Contents
Leaf Guard at a Glance
LeafGuard represents an effective solution in the seamless gutter system industry, renowned for its innovative approach to residential rainwater management. This system stands out for its clog-free design, ensuring that homeowners avoid common gutter-related problems. LeafGuard’s distinct approach combines patented technology with high-quality materials and professional installation, providing a dependable and efficient rainwater diversion system.
Featured Partner
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LeafHome – Water Solutions
BBB
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States Serviced
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Feature
FREE in-home water test and white glove service
Clog-Free Design
LeafGuard guarantees a seamless gutter system that will never clog, ensuring hassle-free maintenance and peace of mind for homeowners.
Lifetime No-Clog Warranty
To back up its clog-free design, the system comes with a lifetime no clog warranty, providing homeowners with the assurance that if a clog does occur, LeafGuard will clean the gutters for free.
Water Damage Prevention
Its patented debris-shedding design effectively prevents water-related issues like rotting fascia, damaged foundations, basement flooding and landscape erosion, offering unparalleled protection.
Custom Fit Installation
LeafGuard gutters are custom-fitted by professional installers to the exact specifications of each home, ensuring optimal performance and a perfect fit without unsightly seams.
ScratchGuard Paint Finish
LeafGuard gutters feature an exclusive ScratchGuard paint finish, ensuring the gutters remain free from chipping, peeling or cracking, thereby maintaining their aesthetic appeal over time
How Do LeafGuard Gutter Guards Work?
LeafGuard gutter guards operate on a unique principle that sets them apart in the market. Unlike standard gutter systems, LeafGuard features a patented one-piece debris-shedding design. This design is based on the scientific principle of liquid adhesion, which guides rainwater around the hood and into the gutter.
This mechanism ensures that leaves and other debris are effectively deflected, preventing clogs. This innovative approach to gutter design not only enhances the efficiency of water diversion from the home but also significantly reduces the maintenance needs of the gutter system by keeping it free from obstructions.
LeafGuard Warranty
LeafGuard offers a robust warranty for its seamless aluminum gutters and rain-carrying systems, ensuring long-term peace of mind for homeowners. This warranty is particularly noteworthy for its coverage and transferability, reflecting the confidence LeafGuard has in its product’s durability and performance.
- Lifetime Finish Warranty: This transferable warranty covers the seamless aluminum LeafGuard with ScratchGuard gutter and rain-carrying systems against manufacturing defects. It ensures that the product will not blister, flake, chip, crack, peel, split, rot or structurally deteriorate under normal wear conditions. The warranty remains valid for the life of the property while you own it and can be transferred to subsequent owners, with a maximum duration of 50 years from the date of original installation.
Warranty Limitations
While the LeafGuard warranty offers extensive coverage, it’s important to be aware of certain limitations and conditions that are not covered under this warranty:
- Exclusions for Faulty Installation and External Factors: The warranty does not cover defects or damages due to improper installation, normal weathering, exposure to harsh chemicals or environmental factors beyond the company’s control.
- Not Responsible for Damage During Shaping or Forming: The company is not liable for any damage to gutters occurring during shaping or forming processes, which is the dealer’s responsibility.
- Exclusion for Nonuniform Fading and Color Change: The warranty does not cover nonuniform fading or color change resulting from touch-up paint or unequal exposure to environmental elements.
- Installation Proximity to Seacoast Limitation: Gutters installed within a half-mile radius of the seacoast are excluded from the warranty coverage.
Leaf Guard State Availability
While LeafGuard offers extensive coverage in many states across the United States, there are specific states where its services are currently not available. These include:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Homeowners in these states need to consider alternative gutter guard solutions, as LeafGuard has yet to extend its services to these areas.
LeafGuard Installation
The installation process of LeafGuard gutter guards is detailed and meticulous, ensuring a perfect fit and optimal functionality for each home. Here’s an overview of the process:
- Initial Evaluation: A professional and licensed LeafGuard installer visits your home to assess your current gutter system. They conduct a thorough examination to identify any existing issues and provide an honest evaluation.
- Demonstration and Measurement: The installer demonstrates how the LeafGuard system works and measures the area to provide a written estimate on the spot.
- Old Gutter Disassembly: On the day of installation, the LeafGuard team begins by disassembling and properly disposing of your old gutters.
- Custom Formation On-Site: Using a special roll-forming machine, LeafGuard gutters are custom formed right at your home, tailored to the exact dimensions of your property.
- Installation of Patented Hangers: The installers insert LeafGuard’s patented hangers two feet apart for maximum stability. The gutters are then securely connected to the existing fascia board using high-quality screws and internal fasteners designed to withstand tough weather conditions.
- Pitch Measurement and Downspout Attachment: Each gutter’s pitch is precisely measured to ensure efficient water flow. Downspouts are attached and reinforced for stability.
- Final Clean-up: After installation, the LeafGuard team removes all equipment and debris from your property, leaving you with a clean and functional gutter system
LeafGuard Maintenance
One thing that LeafGuard prides itself on is that the maintenance of its gutter guards is remarkably straightforward, thanks to their original design. The unique one-piece, debris-shedding construction significantly reduces the need to clean gutters regularly . Unlike traditional gutters that often require frequent debris removal, LeafGuard’s system is engineered to prevent clogging by leaves, pine needles and other common forms of gutter debris.
This not only minimizes the need for maintenance but also ensures a longer lifespan for the gutter system. Homeowners with LeafGuard can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing their gutter system is designed to be low-maintenance, making it a potential choice for those seeking to reduce home upkeep chores.
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LeafGuard Cost
LeafGuard emphasizes transparency and accuracy in pricing for its gutter systems. To determine the exact cost of customized LeafGuard gutters, the company conducts an at-home estimate before beginning any installation work. For this reason, LeafGuard doesn’t offer any insight into its pricing on its website. However, generally, gutter guard installation costs anywhere between $200 and $4000 or an average of around $1,125.
LeafGuard’s approach to estimates contrasts with some competitors who may only provide rough valuations, leading to unexpected costs for additional materials. LeafGuard’s estimate process involves a trained team member visiting your home to:
- Identify: Locate problem areas where gutter protection is needed.
- Inspect: Examine your current gutter setup.
- Measure: Accurately measure your home and gutters for a precise cost estimate.
- Discuss: Review findings with you, ensuring you have a clear understanding of the requirements and costs.
This thorough process ensures there are no surprises post-installation, providing a clear and upfront understanding of the investment required for LeafGuard’s gutter systems.
How Leaf Guard Stacks Up
LeafGuard stands out in the gutter guard market with its unique design and efficient debris filtering capability. Recommended for homeowners seeking long-lasting, custom-fit gutter guards, LeafGuard’s one-piece system uses liquid adhesion to self-clean and filter out debris, setting it apart from other options on the market. It is a durable and secure product; however, it requires professional installation.
LeafGuard’s approach caters to those seeking a hassle-free, high-quality gutter solution, albeit potentially at a higher cost and with the necessity for professional installation.
LeafGuard Reviews
LeafGuard’s performance in the market can be gauged through customer feedback and ratings on platforms like the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Although LeafGuard holds an A+ rating, it also holds an average score of 1.46 out of 5 stars based on 151 customer reviews on the BBB website. In the past three years, the company has closed 329 complaints, with 105 of these being resolved in the last twelve months.
This dichotomy of experiences suggests that while LeafGuard excels in customer service and professionalism, there are areas, especially in product performance and expectations, where improvement is needed.
Bottom Line: Is LeafGuard Right For You?
Determining whether LeafGuard is the right choice for your home requires weighing various factors. It’s a system renowned for its unique design, aiming to reduce gutter maintenance significantly. However, customer reviews present a mixed picture, indicating that while some homeowners find great value and satisfaction in its functionality and service, others have faced challenges with specific debris types and maintenance issues.
Therefore, it’s crucial to consider your specific needs, local environment and the type of debris commonly encountered in your area. Additionally, evaluating the installation process, warranty and cost against your expectations and budget can provide further clarity in making an informed decision.
Methodology
To determine the best gutter guard company ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed 27 major companies, with each product’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:
Price and Warranty (27%)
Overall cost, services and products available, clog guarantees and how well each company stands behind its product with warranties are the top priorities in scoring individual competitors for our review.
Specs (21%)
Product specifications, including materials, product type and specifics and installation availability, accounted for a large percentage of points awarded to each company.
Certifications (6%)
Certifications, including whether or not each company is HomeAdvisor screened and approved and carries a lead-free certification, made up a small portion of the scores.
Customer Reviews (20%)
We analyzed a multitude of review platforms to determine the customer review score for each competing company. Sites we consulted included the BBB, Trustpilot, Google Maps, ReviewMeta and more.
Support (12%)
Customer support, such as online chat, phone availability, blog and FAQ page and in-home consultation ability, made up our support score for each company.
Availability (12%)
The service coverage area by state that each company performs services in made up a percentage of each competitor’s ranking score.
Other Editorial Judgement Points (2%)
We left a few points available to award to companies that proved unusual excellence in one or more of the categories above or excelled in other ways not described as one of our scoring criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is LeafGuard worth the money?
The value of investing in LeafGuard depends on individual needs and expectations. It offers a unique design aimed at reducing maintenance and is backed by warranties, suggesting a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. However, varying customer experiences, as reflected in reviews, highlight that its effectiveness can differ based on specific environmental conditions and types of debris.
When considering LeafGuard, it’s important to assess factors like the frequency of gutter maintenance in your area, the type of foliage around your home and your budget for gutter protection. These considerations can help gauge whether LeafGuard aligns with your specific requirements and if it justifies the investment for your situation.
What color are Gutterglove gutter guards?
Gutterglove gutter guards have a low-profile design that makes them almost invisible from the ground. The front aluminum extrusion, which connects to the top of the gutter, features a natural aluminum finish, essentially a dull silver color. The mesh is also slightly silver but will turn to a darker gray over time.
This color scheme is designed to blend seamlessly with most gutter systems, ensuring that the guards do not detract from the aesthetic appeal of your home while providing effective protection against debris. However, if your home requires a different color, Gutterglove is also available is black and white.
What’s the best material for gutter guards?
The best material for gutter guards depends on various factors, including climate, types of debris and personal preferences. Common rain gutter materials include aluminum, which is known for its durability and resistance to rust and stainless steel, praised for its strength and longevity.
Plastic or vinyl guards offer an economical option but may not withstand extreme weather as effectively and mesh or micro-mesh materials are popular for their ability to block small debris. Ultimately, the choice of material should align with your specific environmental conditions, maintenance expectations and budget considerations.
What warranty comes with Gutterglove gutter guards?
Gutterglove gives a 25-year warranty for its all-aluminum guards. This warranty offers a significant period of protection, giving customers peace of mind regarding the durability and quality of their investment. To activate the warranty, customers need to register their product on the Gutterglove website.
