As a homeowner, you should be looking to protect your gutters. So, mold, mildew, drainage, and water penetrating your roofing membrane aren’t welcome.
But could Leaf Guard stop such damage, though? How much do they cost, and are they a worthwhile investment? Stay with us for all the details on the leaf guard cost.
The Average Leaf Guard Cost
Leaf guard costs $24 on average. However, costs range from $11 to $37 because numerous factors come into play, such as the cost of materials, location, and more.
At Heritage Exteriors, we use high-quality materials to shield your home from damage and offer everything from budget-friendly to more high-end products. That means our contractors can take care of the Leaf Guard installation process from start to finish.
What Is Leaf Guard?
Leaf Guard is an aluminum gutter system designed to prevent leaves, branches, pin needles, animal nests, and other debris from clogging up your rain gutters. They’re also self-cleaning.
Note that Leaf Guard is distinct from regular gutter guards; It’s a specific product made via liquid adhesion. Where gutter guards contain several inserts, Leaf Guard is made of one continuous aluminum piece.
With Leaf Guard, you’ll need less routine gutter cleaning and get a return on your initial investment. If you let such debris buildup, it’ll prevent water from flowing into your downspouts effectively. It’ll enter the tubes with the debris, clogging them and causing all sorts of water damage.
How Much Does Leaf Guard Cost?
Before we discuss ranges, you should know that professional installers charge you per linear foot (plus labor). So, you’ll need to determine how much surface you need to cover with guards. When it comes to the cost range for Leaf Guard, you have three categories:
- High-End: This category starts at $37 per foot.
- Mid-Range: $24 per foot is the average cost for this gutter system.
- Low-End: Low-end leaf guard prices start at $11 per foot.
We can divide these total Leaf Guard costs into the cost of the product and its installation. On the one hand, leaf guard gutters are about $9 to $33 per linear foot. On the other hand, their installation labor fees are usually $2 to $4 per linear foot.
What Factors Should You Consider in Leaf Guard Pricing?
To understand how gutter guard pricing works, you must be mindful of the following factors that impact its cost. Professional workers must inspect your home to determine the difficulty level of the installation process and give you an estimate accordingly. The main factors to consider are as follows:
Gutter Size
Since installers charge you per linear foot, your gutter size impacts the cost, so measure your gutters carefully. Typically, gutters are five to six inches but may be anything from four to seven inches. And if you have unusually-sized gutters, the cost of fitting them with Leaf Guard will be relatively high.
Roof Configuration and Type
Are your gutter runs simple, short, and straight, or are they more complicated, featuring elbow corners or long roof lines? If it’s the latter, professionals will have to move the ladders a lot to access them. Also, the angle of your roofing is relevant. Flat or shallow roofs are safe, whereas steep ones aren’t, which requires safety equipment and extra fees.
Accessibility
The less accessible your gutters are, the more work roofers have to do to reach them, and the more costly it’ll be. So, are there any trees, obstructive landscaping, or other features that can make your work area less accessible? This factor plays into the specialized equipment, safety equipment, and time needed (which affects the labor costs).
Location
Costs differ across states and cities, with coastal areas having higher rates for guard materials and installation than rural areas. It all depends on the seasonal changes’ time frame, labor costs in the market, amount of vegetation, and local climate.
After all, harsh climates require durable guards, so you can’t make do with plastic or foam. Instead, you’ll need guards that can handle snow and ice buildup if you live in a cold climate. Otherwise, extremely hot climates mean that you need a Leaf Guard that doesn’t warp in the sun.
Height
Multi-story homes can come with high installation costs. You can pay $1.00 to $1.50 per linear foot for each extra story. For that reason, some clients skip the first and install leaf guards on upper stories.
Labor
As we’ve mentioned, the amount of labor involved affects Leaf Guard’s costs. Hiring a full-service contractor will cost more than a handy worker, but it’ll pay off. That’s because they install high-performance products with durable materials that are backed by warranties.
Also, how complex is the project, and which guard type have you picked? Some simply pop into place, whereas others are more complicated, as workers need to screw them into place. Labor fees may be $9 per hour.
DIY vs. Professional Installation
Now that we’ve discussed labor costs, you might be wondering if you should save your hard-earned cash by DIYing this leaf guard installation process.
If you want Leaf Guard products, you must buy them through the source. As for its installation, Leaf Guard is quite a complex system, so we strongly advise you to hire professionals for the job.
You can only consider the DIY route if you’re very handy with power tools and able to use them from a ladder. Still, it’s best to get your Leaf Guards installed by professionals. This way, you can get as much coverage from the Company’s warranty as possible.
After all, the manufacturing company states that “This Lifetime Limited Warranty lasts for the life of the property on which the gutter/rain carrying accessories were originally installed, for as long as you own the property.” The fact that it’s limited means that the warranty covers manufacturer defects (not natural wear or tear).
Still, this is an excellent perk that you don’t want to miss out on because of faulty or improper installation (including distortions such as waving, oilcanning, or buckling).
Finally, those who want a DIY project should consider other gutter systems that don’t require professional installations. For example, you can pop in plastic and vinyl gutter guards. Foam and brush are also easy to install. There will be a compromise in quality, though.
Is Leaf Guard Worth the Investment?
It depends on your circumstances. If you don’t mind frequent gutter maintenance, you might make do with cheaper gutter guards.
However, if you struggle with cleaning them regularly or don’t want to, Leaf Guard is worth it. It allows you to do less maintenance and enjoy a lifetime warranty and a lifetime guarantee against debris buildup. Not to mention, it’s from a trusted brand backed by the Good Housekeeping seal.
Understanding the advantages of these gutter systems will help you determine if Leaf Guard is a worthwhile investment for you.
Water Damage Prevention
How does Leaf Guard stop water from damaging your home interiors? The Leaf Guard hood stops rainwater before traveling around it and into the gutter. It processes up to 32 inches of rain per hour, creating an enhanced water flow.
This way, your hood won’t develop mold and mildew and suffer moisture damage and basement flooding. You also won’t have to worry about premature rust or corrosion.
Clogging Prevention
The main function of Leaf Guard is to prevent your gutters from getting clogged. The Company grants you a lifetime no-clog warranty and promises to clean your gutters for free if they get clogged. So, Leaf Guards keep out leaves, insects, pollen, dirt, debris, and pest and animal infestations.
Ladder Accident Prevention
Did you know that there are 630,000 non-occupational ladder-related falls a year? Installing Leaf Guard allows you to clean your gutters less frequently, so you’ll have less reason to climb onto your roof and risk roof accidents.
Fire Prevention
When debris builds up, it becomes flammable. All it takes is a house fire, wildfire, or fire pit to set it on fire, igniting the roof and even the house. Leaf Guard reduces the chance of fires by preventing the accumulation of debris.
Dual Functionality
If you choose regular gutter guards, you install two-piece gutters: an open gutter to move water and a separate gutter hood or cover over it. Leaf Guard’s one-piece solution is a gutter system with a built-in cover or hood. This dual functionality makes Leaf Guard’s all-in-one product more efficient than other gutter guards.
Longevity
As a homeowner, you’ll find Leaf Guards an excellent long-term investment. They’re long-lasting because they’re made from heavy-duty aluminum, resisting warpage and withstanding extreme weather. Also, they’re 20% thicker than regular gutter guards. So, it’s no surprise that Leaf Guard offers a limited lifetime warranty so confidently.
Quality Finishing
One of Leaf Guard’s strengths is its finish, which doesn’t rust, peel, crack, or chip. This quality ensures the system works efficiently and enhances your curb appeal. The manufacturing company offers you an exclusive StarchGuard finish warranty to back it up.
Less Maintenance
LeafGaurd’s motto, “Get it. And forget it”, sums it up perfectly. Save yourself the trouble of cleaning your gutters regularly by installing these guards. Not only do they block debris from entering your downspouts, but they also shed it, thanks to their self-cleaning feature. You’ll have to clean the covers, though.
Additional Services
Are you only getting Leaf Guard installed, or do you want additional services, which come at an extra cost?
Firstly, we have downspout repairs. If they get clogged, you might want experts to clean them or install downspout screens to prevent debris buildup. They’re typically $13 a package (each consisting of four to six screens).
You can also install downspout extensions to direct water away from the foundation of your house. This way, it won’t create puddles and water pools that cause soil and basement damage. Extensions are $10 each.
Otherwise, do you have overhanging tree branches? They can be a nuisance for any workers and drop leaves onto your gutters often, requiring too much maintenance. Getting them trimmed for a variable cost is an option.
If you live in an extremely cold climate, snow, or ice, blockages may form on your Leaf Guards, creating a dam. So, you can get gutter heaters for $0.73 per linear foot.
Leaf Guard Alternatives
You always want to consider alternatives to make a sound purchasing choice, so what other choices do you have? To replace Leaf Guard, you’ll need two components.
Gutter System
If you don’t invest in Leaf Guards, you can consider other gutters. Starting with copper gutters, their weather resistance, rust and corrosion resistance, and longevity give them a lifespan of 60 to 100 years. They’re $15 to $30 per linear foot with an added $2 to $4 per foot for installation.
Galvanized steel gutters are durable. But the protective zinc coat wears off eventually, leaving the system prone to dust.
As for aluminum gutters, they have good weather resistance, but the metal rusts quicker than copper (especially without enamel layer maintenance).
If you opt for vinyl gutters, they’re rust-resistant. However, expect sagging, cracks, and leaks with heavy precipitation. As a result, they have the shortest life spans (compared to other gutter types).
Gutter Guards
Such gutters are a two-piece system, meaning you’ll either need to purchase gutter guards or clean your gutters yourself or get professionals to do it. Your gutters will require cleaning at least twice a year and up to once every three months, depending on your surrounding area.
One of the most popular guard types is steel mesh, costing $1 to $4 per linear foot for it. These guards are easy to install, low-maintenance, durable, sturdy, and great for blocking pine needles and leaves. They last seven to ten years.
Micro-mesh guards are either plastic, aluminum, or steel, which are $9 per linear foot on average. They’re more expensive than other mesh types because they’re finer with smaller holes. Accordingly, they prevent debris; however, the small holes get blocked easily.
Moving onto foam, these gutter guards are $2 to $3.25 per linear foot. You’ll find them inside the gutter (rather than over it). Their pores permit water in but block leaves and debris. The problem with foam is that it deteriorates over time (in about ten years) and can be ground for algae and fungus.
Brush guards are $3 to $4.25 per linear foot. Similar to foam, brush blocks large debris, and water easily penetrates it.
For affordable gutter guards, try perforated aluminum sheets with small holes for $0.50 to $1.50. They’re easy to install, prevent most debris from entering your gutter system, don’t rust, and last ten to twenty years. On the downside, they’re difficult to clean.
Like aluminum sheeting, plastic screening is budget-friendly, costing $0.40 to $1 per linear foot. It’s the cheapest option, and the quality reflects that. It’s easy to install, but it’s flimsy, unsteady, and brittle, warping under extreme conditions and lasting only three to six years.
Vinyl screens, like plastic, aren’t of great quality, which makes sense considering their price range ($1 to $4). They prevent the entry of leaves, sticks, and large items. You can expect them to last three to six years.
Final Words
Ultimately, Leaf Guard costs don’t come in a one-size-fits-all package. And they’re generally in the $11 to $37 price range. Still, you’ll need professionals to inspect your home and determine how each factor impacts your quote.
If you’re looking for a more exact figure, you can contact us now, and a Heritage Exteriors building contractor can inspect your home and give you a free estimate!
