What are the best
gutter guards
(for you)?

The environment in which you live is the most important factor for determining the best gutter guards for your home. 

When we visit homeowners in Ohio, Southeast Michigan, Western Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, prior to providing an estimate for gutter guards, we will make note of the types of trees you have and how they impact your gutters. We will also address any potential pest and rodent issues. What’s more, we look at technical considerations, such as gutter style, roof types, downspout placement, and the integrity of your exterior siding, fascia boards, and wood trim to help determine the best gutter guards for you. Finally, how does weather in your region impact what you should do?

You’d probably agree, the only way to pick the best gutter guards for your home is to properly assess and analyze your individual situation. Seeking guidance from an experienced gutter guard installer ensures that you won’t waste your money by choosing the wrong gutter guard. Selecting the best gutter guards can be a daunting process, but don’t worry, we’re here to help and guide you.

What types of trees do you have?

Deciduous

These trees bloom with a variety of flowers and blossoms in early spring. Flowers and blossoms drop and give way to leaves in late spring that shed every fall. Deciduous trees have flat leaves of varying shapes and sizes. Flowers, blossoms and leaves can block gutters quickly, causing rainwater to overflow the gutters. Overflowing gutters from leaves cause wood rot, damaged exteriors and basement leaks.

Evergreen

Pine trees come in heights ranging from 10’ to more than 90-feet tall. One of the common characteristics of pines is that they have skinny needles instead of leaves. Unlike deciduous trees, pine needles commonly shed year-round, which is problematic when trees are located near gutters. Many pine species have small to large pinecones that also blow into and easily clog gutters and downspout openings.

Deciduous Conifer

So, what about trees which are technically a conifer (like a pine tree) but instead of staying green all year, they shed their needles or leaves in fall? Well that's the middle ground - called a deciduous conifer. These trees often have softer needles which radiate out from the branch in clumps. Some deciduous conifers produce cones which disintegrate into chunky seeds - gutter clog warning! Time for some decent gutter guards.

  • White Oak
  • Red Oak
  • Pin Oak
  • Acer
  • River Birch
  • Black Locust
  • Hickory
  • Sycamore
  • Ash
  • Cottonwood
  • Aspen
  • Black Walnut
  • Hickory
  • Beech
  • Chestnut
  • Sweetgum
  • Tulip Poplar
  • Hackberry
  • Elm
  • Magnolia
  • Buckeye
  • Linden
  • Catalpa
  • Dogwood
  • Cucumber
  • Black Cherry
  • Redbud
  • American Holly
  • White Pine
  • Virginia Pine
  • Loblolly Pine
  • Scotch Pine
  • Red Cedar
  • White Cedar
  • Colorado Blue Spruce
  • Norway Spruce
  • Eastern Hemlock
  • Eastern Larch
  • Dawn Redwood
  • Bald Cypress

How close are the trees to your home?

  • Overhanging the house
  • Scattered throughout your yard
  • Along the lot line or perimeter
  • In your neighbors’ yards

How big are your gutters? Which style?

K style gutters
  • 5 inch K-Style Gutters
  • 6 inch K-Style Gutters
  • 7 inch K-Style Gutters
  • 5 inch Half Round Gutters
  • 6 inch Half Round Gutters
  • 7 inch Half Round Gutters

Need new gutters?

We offer gutter installation for new gutters and can replace damaged guttering with the purchase of gutter guards

Don't know what you need?

Call or text us to set-up a free estimate today. We will recommend the best gutter guards for your environment and budget

What type of roof surface do you have, and how steep is it?

Homes with roof valleys, gutters on multiple levels and steep roof pitches will have a different need than ranch homes with hip roofs.

  • Asphalt Shingle
  • Woodshake Shingle

Metal

  • Corrugated Aluminum
  • Standing Seam Metal

Tile

  • Natural Slate
  • Artificial Slate
  • Zinc Slate
  • Clay Tile
  • EPDM Rubber
  • TPO Vinyl
  • Modified Bitumen
These are just a few of the factors you’ll want to consider before buying gutter guards. Sure, some gutter guards are better than others, but what you need to solve your gutter problem may not be the same as what your neighbor, friend or relative needs.

Professional gutter guard installation

The best way to determine what is “best” is to hire a professional gutter guard installer to assess your gutters, downspouts, and the trees in your yard. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. Most companies that sell gutter guards are simply interested in getting the sale, not fixing problems. The only way to properly fix gutter and water problems is to be knowledgeable and offer a complementary products and services to get the job done right.

With over 25-years of experience, Gutter Guards Direct is among the most knowledgeable gutter and gutter guard experts in the industry.

We offer an extensive selection of gutter protection systems to fit any environment. You’re not limited to one gutter guard and one gutter size. We offer everything from budget-friendly perforated aluminum gutter guards to the latest-and-greatest micro mesh gutter guards.

Before you pick the best gutter guards, you must first make sure your gutters are in good working order. Are they sized correctly, watertight, and draining properly?

It doesn’t make any sense to install gutter guards over gutters that need repaired or replaced.

We’ve got you covered when it comes to your guttering needs, too. We install 5, 6, and 7-inch seamless aluminum gutters. We provide a complimentary assessment of your gutters and recommend ways in which you can better manage water around your home.

We have you covered

Whether you are located in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, or Southern Michigan, Gutter Guards Direct will help you eliminate a seasonal chore for a lifetime.

We know what it takes to fix your gutter and water problems by recommending the best gutter guards and gutter solutions to get the job done right the first time!

Which are the best gutter guards for your home and budget?

MasterShield

mastershield-gutter-guard-300x225

MasterShield is the ultimate gutter protection system. It has a patented, copper-infused micro mesh stainless steel screen crimped over an aluminum frame. It is designed to keep out all leaves and debris, including shingle granules. The copper and stainless screen prevents the build-up of algae, moss and lichen that has been known to grow on other micro mesh screens.

LeafLock

leaflock Gutter Guard installed on 5 inch gutters
LeafLock is an aluminum and stainless steel micro mesh gutter guard. It can be installed within the gutters or under the first course of roof shingles. The openings in the screen are wider than MasterShield, so it is especially useful on homes with valleys, metal, slate and tile roofs where capturing large volumes of water and installing it within the gutter are required.

Gutter RX

Gutter Rx is an effective gutter guard that is more economical than micro mesh and solid surface gutter guards. It has a series of holes that are drilled into its wavy surface. It can be installed within the gutter or under the shingles to get a better forward slope, and it will keep out most leaves and seeds. It is ideal for homes where trees are not directly overhanging the house.

LeaFree

Leaf Free Gutter Guard
LeaFree is a solid aluminum gutter cover that fits over existing 5-inch and 6″ gutters. The panels slide under the first course of shingles and attach to the gutter lip with sheet metal screws. LeaFree is available in standard and hi-flow versions. It keeps out most leaves and has an interlocking panel system to provide a seamless look. It is available in 15 colors + copper to match gutters and roof shingles.

Gutter Guard​

LeafOff solid gutter cover installed on 5 inch gutters

Gutter Guard is a solid aluminum gutter cover that uses a patented, proprietary bracket to float within the the gutter. Each panel installs under the second course of shingles — like Gutter Helmet — and secures to the internal bracket system that reinforces existing gutters. It fits 5″ and 6-inch gutters, and its nose forward design and fixed opening keeps most leaves out of gutters.

DIY Gutter Guards​

DIY Gutter Guard
DIY gutter guards are available at most home improvement centers and hardwares stores. These take the shape of plastic and metal diamond pattern screens and foam inserts. While cheaper than professionally installed gutter guards, DIY gutter guards can be difficult to install properly and are typically a “Band Aid” that will fail to keep your gutters free of leaves and debris.

Locations

One of the things that gives us a unique perspective is that we have worked with customers from Michigan to Mississippi and New York to California. While we’re not in those markets everyday, we understand the issues and know what works well in each market. We currently focus our efforts in:

If you’re located in any of these markets, and want to know if we’re near you, please reach out to us for a free, no obligation estimate! If you’re located outside of these markets and have any questions, call, text or email us, and ask, “When will you be near me?”

photo of downtown Indianapolis Indiana from market square at dusk