This project can cost anywhere from $160 to $4,525, so take a look at what could affect this price and get a quote from a pro.
Installing gutter guards costs between $652 and $2,462, with an average price of $1,514.
The cost per linear foot ranges between $6 and $13, including materials and professional labor.
Gutter guards reduce the frequency of gutter cleaning, saving time and long-term maintenance costs.
Professional installation ensures proper fitting and maximizes the lifespan of the gutter guard system.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Gutter guard installation costs between $6 and $13 per linear foot, including materials and professional labor. The total cost varies depending on the type and material of the gutter guard you choose.
Several popular gutter guard brands offer different types and materials at varying prices. Here are some well-known brands along with their key features and costs:
LeafGuard: This company offers one-piece micro-mesh gutter guard systems that also include a cover. These designs require professional installation, as they are fabricated to custom lengths as part of the manufacturing process. This is an expensive option at $15 to $45 per linear foot for both materials and installation.
Master Shield: This system is backed by a lifetime no-clog warranty, which offers peace of mind. Master Shield gutter guards are self-cleaning, safe for shingles, and help prevent roof rot. They also feature an adjustable heating element to prevent ice buildup. You’ll pay $18 to $21 per linear foot for materials and installation.
All American Gutter Protection: These gutter guards also come with a lifetime warranty and cost $15 to $20 per linear foot for materials and installation. These all-aluminum systems excel with severe weather and drastic temperature changes without warping or bending.
RainDrop: A relatively budget-friendly option, at $4 to $5 per linear foot for materials. These guards are designed for DIY installations, with a polypropylene grid system that arrives in preset lengths with easy mounting options.
EasyOn: These stainless-steel gutter guards also feature steel micromesh. They are designed for DIY installation jobs and even come with video instructions. You’ll pay $3 to $4 per linear foot for materials.
In addition to brands, many types of gutter guard systems are available, each made from unique materials and featuring specific cost ranges. Here are some of the more common types of gutter guards.
Mesh or Micro-Mesh: These designs block debris of all sizes, including small items like pine needles. These are highly effective guards, though often require professional installation. You’ll pay $2 to $4 per linear foot for the materials, with labor costing extra.
Foam: Foam gutter guards ship in a single piece, making for a perfect DIY installation. The foam allows water to flow even with debris on the gutter. This type of gutter guard does require yearly cleaning and costs $2 to $3.50 per linear foot for materials.
Brush: As the name suggests, these guards use large bristles to capture debris, which allows water to flow freely. Brush gutter guards offer a simple installation and excel with large pieces of debris, though they struggle with smaller items like maple spinners and pine needles. Brush guards cost $3 to $4.25 per linear foot for materials.
Screen: These screen gutter guards work similarly to a screen door and snap onto your gutters, allowing DIY installations. They come in plastic and steel versions, with plastic screen guards costing $0.40 to $1 per linear foot and steel screen guards costing $1.50 to $3.50 per linear foot. This guard type features relatively large holes compared to other types, so small debris slips through occasionally. Plastic models are also easily blown off in windy conditions.
Gutter Guard Type | Cost | Best For |
---|---|---|
Metal mesh screens | $150 – $600 | Durability, keeping out larger debris like leaves |
Micro-mesh screens | $1,000 – $1,350 | Blocking fine debris like pine needles and grit |
Vinyl grid | $150 – $600 | Cost-effective protection, suitable for mild climates |
Full surface tension covers | $600 – $1,200 | Managing heavy rainfall and blocking all debris |
Gutter brushes | $400–$500 | Easy installation, preventing larger debris |
Foam inserts | $200–$400 | DIY-friendly option for blocking larger debris |
Plastic screen | $80–$200 | Budget-friendly, suitable for mild climates |
Reserve Curve | $550–$1,000 | Effective for areas with heavy leaf fall, allowing debris to slide off |
On average, professional installation costs $9 per linear foot. However, many factors impact the overall price.
Modern homeowners choose between PVC vinyl gutters, which offer superior weather resistance, and wood gutters for an aesthetic flourish. There are also copper metal gutters for advanced protection.
As for gutter guards, however, four primary materials are used during the manufacturing process.
Plastic: This is the least expensive material, leading to budget-friendly gutter guards. However, plastic guards are light and easily blown away by windy conditions.
Stainless steel: The preferred material for mesh and micro-mesh gutter guards. It offers more durability than other materials, as well as rust, corrosion, warping, and other protections. Steel costs are higher.
Aluminum: This material is excellent for resisting rust and corrosion, though it is not as rugged as stainless steel or other types of metal. Tree branches and some pine cones can pierce the guards, necessitating repairs or replacement. Aluminum guards are on the lower-cost side.
Copper: This is a great option for homes with pre-existing copper guards, offering aesthetic similarities. Copper provides many of the same benefits as stainless steel, but it is a rarer metal and, therefore, slightly more expensive.
Installation costs more on multiple rooflines with 90-degree bends where they come together. If you have just one long, straight roofline, installation is easier and costs less. Also, steeply pitched roofs require additional safety equipment which increases labor costs. Talk to your pro as you gather estimates to check if your roof configuration impacts the overall price.
Along with roof configuration, the roof type also impacts gutter guard installation. For instance, slate and solid tile roof designs necessitate a more complex installation process, increasing the labor cost. Additionally, some gutter guards only integrate with certain kinds of shingles to work properly. There are so many roof types and shingle types out there, so talk to your pro as you gather estimates to discuss material and price options.
Choose the right gutter guard for your location and climate. Plastic screen guards don’t do well with extreme winds and reverse curve guards struggle with heavy downpours of rain. Snow and ice also represent unique struggles for certain types of gutter guards. Do your research and talk to pros to ensure you pick the right guard to prevent ice damming at the edge of your roofline.
Some single-piece gutter guards are actually designed for DIY enthusiasts, while others are strictly for professional gutter guard installers. Though you’ll save on labor by going the DIY route, laying down gutter guards is potentially dangerous work. Additionally, even DIY-friendly guards require some serious equipment to ensure a smooth installation process. If you choose the DIY route, gather up the following materials and tools and work slowly to prevent accidental roof damage, particularly when screwing through the fascia boards and gutters.
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Gutter guards are essential because they protect your home from costly water damage and structural issues. They offer significant annual savings—ranging from $120 to $500—by reducing the frequency of cleanings, especially in regions with many tall trees. Professionally installed gutter guards increase your home’s value and ensure reliable protection against debris-induced damage.
Gutter guards have numerous advantages. They protect your gutters by blocking twigs, branches, leaves, pine cones, and other debris, ensuring that water flows freely and preventing clogs. This protection minimizes expensive damages and substantially reduces cleaning frequency. In addition, gutter guards secure your home’s value by maintaining the integrity of your gutter system and reducing maintenance time.
Gutter guards have the disadvantage of not eliminating the need for regular maintenance. Even with them installed, you must clean your gutters at least once every two years to ensure proper water flow. Debris can accumulate on top of the guards, potentially blocking drainage. Additionally, extreme weather conditions can dislodge some designs, and certain types may require professional servicing to maintain their effectiveness.
If you decide to forgo gutter guards, the optimal solution is to clean your gutters promptly when debris accumulates. This proactive maintenance prevents blockages and potential water damage. In addition, you can install gutter screens made from wire mesh, nylon, or foam that are less expensive while reducing clogging. These options lower your maintenance costs and preserve the functionality of your gutters over time.