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Debris can sit atop the gutter protection, dry or wet and sticky | |||||
Device protects above gutter edge for easier wind purge | |||||
Durable UV protected material that will not shrink, crack or deteriorate in sunlight | SOME | SOME | SOME | ||
Dosen't have tight, uncleanable tiny pores that clog quickly | |||||
Available in 5 size to protect any size gutter 4", 5", 6", 7", 8" | |||||
EASY DIY, anyone can install themeselves, fast, no tools, no fasterners, no glue required | |||||
Simple to remove and reinstall for maintenance or cleaning; simple to shake debris from the device | |||||
Bristle pattern draws water inward, top of gutter remains wide open for maximum roof water volume | |||||
No fasteners or holes through roofing, gutters of fascia | |||||
Avoids water bypass due to debris resting on top, tiny screen holes, dirty gutter cover etc. | |||||
Does not create a solid dry shelter that wasps insects, animals, birds enjoy & infest | |||||
Has raised, rounded profile creating more surface area for maximum water intake | |||||
Avoids the need for trimming / cutting if drip edge or flashing in the way | |||||
Avoids touching / interfere with roof | |||||
Doesn't cause low sloped "shelf" at gutter top that creates first to freeze point and ice backups | |||||
Allows easy access to gutters for christmas lights attachment to front gutter | |||||
Flexible design ensures consistent performance despite dents or damaged gutters from ladders, limbs | |||||
Install faster, safer from the ground in new gutters during fabrication, hang the gutter with gutter protection | |||||
Can be used if gutter is "hung" by rod-n-nut or vampire hangers due to crown molding | |||||
Storm Drain protection, avoids expensive storm drain repairs, keeps debris from in ground drainage system | |||||
Never maintain, never clean again (there are many false claims by others) |
The above chart outlines performance aspects of just about all of the gutter guard products on the market today; All of which you can find in one form or another at Home Depot. Below are some performance descriptions to help understand gutter guard performance issues and compare gutter guard options.
Gutter Guards often CAUSE the rain water to overflow the gutter.
Leaves stick to gutter screens, micro-mesh and gutter covers causing water to run over the gutter.
There are plenty of gutter options to consider when shopping for Gutter Guards. While none are perfect, we believe GutterBrush offers the best VALUE in gutter clog protection. Its a simple, affordable easy DIY gutter solution to keep them flowing, reduce gutter cleaning and prevent expensive water damage caused by clogged overflowing gutters. In fact, GutterBrush works in all gutters while other gutter guards can not be installed on certain gutters. Click here to view gutter clog scenarios where other gutter guards will not work.
Gutter Screens - Metal or Plastic Gutter Screens
Pros:
Cheap material cost, Readily available in stores
Cons:
Difficult to install properly and securely. Joints open up, water flows laterally bringing debris into gutter.
Pine needles, seeds and small debris can penetrate the screen and lodge in the screen itself. Water and Ice can build up under shingles.
Small debris gets through the screen into the gutter, then rain causes it to clump together and flow to clog the outlet tube.
Debris lays on top of the screen causing water to skip past the gutter.
Dirt and rusting screen can stain gutter face and home
Collapse under weight of ice, snow, fallen limbs, etc.
Frequently blow out during severe wind or weather
Difficult to access gutters for cleaning or maintenance. When maintenance is required, must clean the pores of the screen itself from debris hung up in the screen as well as clean the gutters and somehow reinstall the screen.
Metal screens conduct thermally causing a "first to freeze" area stopping water, causing ice jams and backups. Click here to see products recommended for those looking for gutter screens
Gutter Covers / Gutter Helmet Style Covers, Reverse Curve
Pros:
Can be effective against large leaves and debris.
Cons:
Reduces gutter opening, allowing water overflow in heavy rain. When the nose of the cover gets dirty, water does not hug the metal and releases too soon causing fast water to bypass the gutter.
Small debris flows into gutters, builds up and causes a clog or requires complicated and difficult removal for cleaning.
Shingles must be lifted to install or service gutters = Roof warranty problems
It decreases slope of the roof at the gutter, increasing chance of ice dams and backups. Thermal conductivity of metal creates "first to freeze" area.
Difficult and expensive to remove system for any cleaning or maintenance.
Limits who you can have perform maintenance, tools and skill required.
Covers provide dry shelter that Wasps, Bees and rodents commonly enjoy.
Expensive – $20 - $35 per foot
Click here to see products recommended for those looking for gutter covers and helmets.
Gutter Foam / Sponge Filter
Pros:
Easy installation Not visible from ground.
Cons:
Sponge foam resides down in in gutter therefore debris that sets on the foam is trapped within the gutter creating a leaf mat on the foam blocking water and causing water to skip past the gutter.
Cells become filled with roof shingle grit, pollen, dust, dirt and compost resulting in overflows.
Moisture retained attracts insects, including mosquitoes and ant colonies.
Cleaning is difficult or impossible to remove small debris from cells to get it to be able to flow again.
Common to see shrinkage, curling and crumbling of these products within a few years due to sunshine / UV deterioration. Knock off lower quality un-coated products imported from Asia exist in the market, making it difficult to discern coated foam from bad.
Gutter Micro Mesh Screen
Pros:
Blocks maximum amount of both large and small debris
Cons:
Tiny micro mesh openings are too small for fast water and can be overcome during a heavy rain, resulting in significant run off. The micro mesh openings are small to keep out debris but they also serve to keep the water out of the gutter and cause bypass. Dirt, dust, pollen, leaves & sap can build up on the screen over time blocking and and reducing the volume of water that can flow through the mesh. Although it is resistant to organism growth, stainless steel gets dirty and then the organisms, algae and moss grow on the dirt. In cold climates, Metal is a thermal conductor and therefore becomes the first to freeze, so metal screen openings close up fast with ice further keeping water out of the gutter and exacerbate ice backups and ice jams; whereas plastic is a "non-thermal-bridge" because it is not as conductive so plastic does not cause ice problems. Click here to see products recommended for those looking for mesh gutter guards.
Expensive – Professional installation required $18 - $35 / ft.
Tiny openings in the mesh may keep debris out of the gutters but they also keep water out of the gutters, especially when the openings get dirty and smaller.
Pros:
Easiest install & removal - No tools required
Effective barrier to most leaves & debris
No interference with roof or shingles
Use with existing gutters any roof or gutter type
5 different sizes to fit common and uncommon gutters
Entire gutter channel remains open for heaviest rain
Prevents bird, insect and rodent nesting
Affordable – Approx $3.33 / ft DIY or $5 - $7 / ft. for professional installation
Made in the U.S.A.
Easy to maintain and renew
In brand new gutters, GutterBrush can be installed filling the new gutter from the ground before mounting and hanging.
Improved Winter: Plastic bristles are not thermally conductive like metal and do not cause a "first to freeze" area; GutterBrush does not add to gutter icing in fact the presence of GutterBrush actually decreases icing in cold climates. Click here to learn about winter benefits
Cons:
Small debris (ie: pine needles, maple seeds) can work their way into the brush over time and may require occasional cleaning or maintenance. Usually this limited debris will not cause a clog, but can be shaken out of brush or "renewed" to optimal performance.
May be slightly visible with bristles intentionally crowning the top of the gutter in some circumstances.