Made of metal or plastic, screen gutter guards are an affordable option and come in a wide variety of styles and materials. Gutter screens are one of the easiest to install and this obviously keeps the overall cost to you the homeowner down. However, fine mesh does work best for filtering out small debris. Depending on the type of screen you might choose you could be left with rust stains on your gutters after a few years so knowing which screen to choose is really important. The plastic versions won’t lead to rusting but depending on the manufacturer can be made from less durable materials and will become brittle, warp, and break from the exposure to the elements and temperature changes. Also, pine needles can also get stuck in between the holes. Depending on the design of the screen and the shape of the holes, they can be blown out by strong winds.

 These are the oldest technology dating back to the early 1900’s. Many different brands have incorporated design changes to improve the performance and durability. Water tension, sometimes referred to as surface tension or water adhesion, guides the water into the gutter system. The design requires an opening of ¼” to 1” on the front nose of the gutter cover. This design works well to shed larger leaves and debris but smaller particulates such as seed pods, small leaves and pine needles can get dragged into the gutter system and cause a clog down the road. They are made from a variety of different materials such as plastic or aluminum sheet metal.  The aluminum products are more durable than the plastics, but can still be damaged by larger debris. An area of concern has to do with the installation of the product.  Many installers are unfamiliar with proper installation procedures and will nail or screw the product to the roof decking.  This often creates Roof and Gutter problems over time and should be avoided. Make sure you give us a call if you are considering installing these guards on your home.