Different Types of Gutter Covers: Which One Is Right for Your Home?

Gutter covers are a great invention, consisting of a range of different types that can protect your gutter from typical debris and ensure that rain flows down your gutter without blockages.

Once you install the proper gutter cover system for your home, regularly cleaning your gutters should be a thing of the past.

Factors that would determine the “proper gutter cover system for your home” would be your region’s climate, the type of roof you have, and how many trees are close to your home, what type of trees they are, and what debris they drop.

With this article, we will present the different types of gutter covers and share the necessary info to assist in making the right choice for your specific needs.

1. Why You Need Gutter Covers?

To protect homes from water damage, we use gutters to direct rainwater away from the house.

However, gutters can get clogged with matter that can cause them to overflow. This overflow defeats the purpose of gutters and leads to rainwater damaging your home. It can cause wood rot (fascia, soffit, siding, windows, etc), basement flooding, foundation damage, and a cascade of other problems.

A properly functioning gutter cover reduces or eliminates these issues by reducing blockage and helping the gutter to fulfill its purpose.

These covers are particularly useful in high-rainfall areas with lots of foliage or leafy trees.

2. Overview of the Main Types of Gutter Covers

The types of gutter covers that are available each have their own qualities.

Let’s have a quick run-through of the most popular choices.

Foam or brush insertsare put into the gutter, which prevent debris from clogging the gutter. This water can therefore continue to move through the gutter.

Pros: It is simple and possibly the most affordable solution. It can be self-installed.

Cons: Its design is similar to a sponge. That means small debris and dirt can gradually clog its porous design, which will prevent sufficient water from flowing through at the speed it needs to be. Consequently, it has to be cleaned regularly to prevent debris from becoming stagnant.

Screen gutter coversare typically made from plastic or perforated metal, letting water run through the holes but catching larger debris.

Pros: This type of screen is usually economical and easy to install.

Cons: Any screen or mesh gutter cover will need the filter to be cleaned regularly, and often by hand. Otherwise, much like the holes on any filter getting clogged, the water will not go through and will overflow.

Mesh gutter covers are similar in function to a screen gutter guard, but the holes are finer (smaller). These smaller holes block everything a screen would block, but also the smaller debris, while allowing the water to pass through.

Pros: Mesh gutter covers filter small grains and particles. They are available in the low to high cost categories, depending on the company and materials the system is made from, but some do exist in the lower category.

Cons: Again, any screen or mesh gutter cover will need the filter to be cleaned regularly, and often by hand. Otherwise, much like the holes on any filter getting clogged, the water will not go through and will overflow.

Reverse curve gutter covers (also called Solid surface gutter covers)have a curved solid surface, which leads the debris to fall off the edge of the gutter, while water flows around the nose of it and into the gutter.

Pros: When properly chosen and installed, these require the lowest maintenance of any gutter cover system.

Cons: Professional installation is required.

3. Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Gutter Cover

It’s important to choose the right gutter cover for your home.

Roof type and slope: Ensure that the gutter cover works and can be installed with your roof type.

Gutter design: Ensure that the gutter cover works and can be installed with your gutter design. For example, many gutter covers and gutter filters cannot be installed on half-round gutters.

Tree coverage: Choose a gutter cover that can handle the number of trees and type of debris they shed around your home. The more your trees shed debris, the more of a low-maintenance gutter cover you want.

Local weather: Choose a system that can handle heavy rainfall, snow, or strong winds. Look for something in the guarantee on this.

Maintenance and durability: Don’t accept any unrealistic promises from overly enthusiastic salespeople. ALL gutter covers will require maintenance. Find out how often it needs cleaning and what it will take to do that cleaning. (Third-party reviews and YouTube can be good sources to check this.)

Cost vs. value: Of course, choose a system that fits your budget. However, lower-cost systems usually require earlier replacement and/or increased maintenance. So decide on what’s important – Money saved now or money saved later.

When looking for a gutter guard in Overland Park, it’s wise to choose a system that can withstand the weather conditions over time.

4. Professional vs. DIY Installation

Some gutter covers are easy to self-install; however, others need professional installation for best results.

The basic screen or foam systems that can be installed through DIY can be a reasonable short-term solution, especially in a pinch.

However, with large, complex roofs, making use of professionals to do the installation might be a wise choice to ensure the best result.

Properly chosen, they should install the system correctly while carrying warranties that should provide some peace of mind.

5. Gutter Cover KC®: Helping You Choose the Right Fit

Using local experts is ideal for protecting your home.

One local KC professional with a stellar reputation for over 25 years is Gutter Cover Kansas City®. According to reviews, they create tailor-made custom-fit systems and solutions that take care of the specific needs of your home and property.

With their level of experience, they bear in mind the type of roof, environment, and other factors before designing and installing your system.

They understand the unique challenges posed by Kansas City’s ice storms and thunderstorms.

Conclusion

Installing gutter covers is not just to prevent tree debris from clogging gutters; it is an investment that safeguards your home.

Making a well-researched, well-thought-through choice will save time, money, and stress in the long run.

If you are contemplating having gutter protection installed, consult a local professional. Gutter Cover KC® is a solid option to investigate.

Gutter Cover KC – Advantage Gutter Guard

Phone: (816) 312-4300

1021 Northeast Jib Court, Suite D

GMB Profile: Gutter Cover KC – Advantage Gutter Guard

Lee’s Summit, MO 64064

USA