Walking around your neighborhood or driving around others you’ll notice nearly every home has a gutter system. Most homes have gutters and downspouts around the perimeter of their roof while others have missing parts or even more components for better protection like a splash guard or gutter guards.

Gutter guards are becoming increasingly popular with homeowners opting for better protection for their roof, soffit and fascia, siding, and foundation. There are several types of gutter guards, each offering varying levels of protection and maintenance. If you’ve been considering installing a gutter guard system, keep reading to learn about the different kinds to help determine the best gutter guard system for your home.

 

What is a Gutter Guard System?

A traditional gutter system is a system that collects and carries water from the roof through the gutters and into the downspouts where it gets diverted away from a home’s foundation. A gutter guard system adds a level of protection with a guard on the gutter that acts as a barrier to keep debris like leaves and twigs from entering the gutter system.

There are several different gutter guard systems, but they all function with the idea of keeping debris out of the system. Some are just materials placed directly over the gutters as a quick DIY project while others involve installing an entirely new system.

 

Types of Gutter Guard Systems

Several types of gutter guard systems offer varying levels of protection against drainage issues. Below are the types of gutter guard systems including how they function and the gutter maintenance required to keep them performing their best:

 

Screen

One of the more common gutter guards you’ll see installed on homes is a gutter screen. Similar to window screens with small holes to let air flow in but keep out large debris and insects, screen gutter guards are placed directly on the gutter. Some professional gutter installation companies will install screen gutter guards while some homeowners opt for a DIY installation.

In theory, screen filters would work great to keep large debris out of the gutters, but screen gutter guards aren’t the best option for homeowners in Kansas City. The small openings in screen filters still allow tiny debris like seeds and pine needles to get inside the gutter, often sprouting “trees” through the screen holes. Screen gutter guards don’t block large debris from sitting on the gutter guard which can impede water flow. Overflowing and clogged gutters are still common issues for people with screen gutter guards.

Screen gutter guards also require regular maintenance to avoid clogged gutters and other damage. You’ll need to remove all the debris that collects on top of the screen and replace it often from damage that occurs when large debris sits on the screen.

 

Mesh

Mesh gutter guards are similar to screen gutter guards, but instead of being made from a screen material, they’re often made of aluminum. Like screen filters, mesh gutter guards have small openings in the aluminum to keep large debris from entering the gutters. 

Mesh gutter guards offer better protection against debris since they’re made from a stronger material than screen gutter guards assuming they’re made from heavy-duty aluminum. If made from a low-quality material, mesh gutter guards can rust and corrode, dent, or even fold inward from heavy snow accumulation, ice dams, and heavy debris like large tree branches that can fall on them.

Mesh gutter guards require some maintenance, mainly to clean any accumulated debris sitting on top of the gutter guards. To avoid further damage, you’ll also want to inspect mesh gutter guards for rust, dents, or corrosion.

 

Foam

Some homeowners install foam gutter guards because of their low price tag. They’re the most affordable gutter guard on the market and can keep some debris out of the gutters. However, you get what you pay for when it comes to foam gutter guards; they are inexpensive but are a hassle because they need frequent maintenance and need to be replaced often.

The foam gutter guard does block debris from entering the gutter, but the foam material crumbles and breaks off easily, especially in hard rainfall and snowfall. Foam gutter guards grow algae from the moisture and require frequent algaecide applications and replacements. Though initially inexpensive, they need such frequent replacement that it will cost homeowners more than other gutter guard systems.

 

Brush

Brush gutter guards are a lesser common gutter guard system and are simply inserted inside the gutter to help prevent debris from entering the gutters. Homeowners can DIY this installation, but they need to be replaced often and require regular cleaning, a hassle that takes up your precious time and puts a dent in your wallet with frequent replacements.

Brush gutter guards have bristles that poke out to trap debris like twigs, pine needles, and leaves. They can be an eyesore since the bristles point upward, sticking out of the top of the gutter system. Debris builds over time as it gets lodged between the bristles, often causing the gutters to overflow and clog.

 

K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System

Unlike other gutter guard systems that are an attachment that goes directly over your gutters or inside them, the K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System is a complete system with multiple parts that work together to keep debris out and water flowing freely through the gutters and downspouts. 

K-Guard is the only gutter guard system with a curved hood that keeps debris from entering the system, allowing it to slide off the top of the gutter, never letting it accumulate and put strain on the system. Only water can enter the K-Guard System, blocking debris like pine needles, leaves, twigs, and pests from entering the gutters.

K-Guard is also maintenance-free, meaning it’ll never require you to clean it or hire a professional gutter cleaning service! The K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System is so durable that it is backed with a lifetime warranty. It outperforms any other gutter guard system thanks to its 100% “No Pull Away/Fall Off” warranty, ensuring it holds up through any severe weather threat.

 

Which is the Best Gutter Guard System?

The answer is clear – the best gutter guard system for homeowners in and around Kansas City is the K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System. Our gutter product is the most durable and effective gutter guard system, easily outperforming screens, mesh, foam, and brush gutter guards.

K-Guard has oversized downspouts and gutters that allow more water to enter the system, especially helpful during our rainy season and other severe weather events. Your K-Guard System will never experience paint chips, clogs, or pull away from the home. It’s also guaranteed transferable for the life of the home!

 

Install K-Guard, the Premier Gutter Guard System

Contact K-Guard Heartland to install the K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System. Why choose K-Guard? Our gutter guards save you money and give you peace of mind, protecting your home from water damage and drainage issues.

Contact K-Guard Heartland today for a free estimate with a detailed analysis of your current gutter system and estimated costs for installing K-Guard on your home. We look forward to helping you avoid a DIY disaster and equip your home with the most durable, effective, and attractive gutter guard system!