Are Gutter Guards Worth It?

L&S Home Improvements

| October 16th, 2025

(Modified: October 20, 2025)

Gutter guards can be worth it, but it depends on your environment and what type of guards you invest in. Learn more in this article.

Gutters

A plastic mesh guard installed on gutters

In many cases, gutter guards are absolutely worth it—these protective covers are installed over gutters to prevent leaves, twigs, and other debris from entering and blocking the system. As a homeowner, it’s critical to pay attention to your gutter system; even one small blockage can cause water to spill off the sides and down the walls, eventually leading to foundation damage, or cause water to pool in the gutters themselves, resulting in sagging or torn-off gutters.

Gutter guards are also beneficial in that they help reduce maintenance needs. If you clean your gutters quite often, you’ll notice that gutter guards reduce how often you need to clean them, although they won’t eliminate the need entirely.

Although guards are beneficial for most gutter systems, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all option for every home. There are multiple configurations, each with advantages and limitations.

Foam Gutter Guards

Foam gutter guards come in triangular and rectangular installations. They’re a popular option for DIYers because they’re easy to install, as all it requires is placing the foam insert inside the gutter. The insert blocks debris from entering while still permitting water to pass through. The significant disadvantage of this type is that they are prone to issues over time, especially during periods of heavy rain.

Advantages

They’re among the least expensive types of gutter guards.
They’re easy to install.
They fit most gutter shapes and sizes.

Limitations

There’s a reason why we don’t install foam gutter guards for our customers—they’re the lowest quality option on the market. In our experience, the disadvantages of foam gutter guards outweigh the advantages:

Shorter comparative lifespan because they don’t hold up to UV and moisture, and will break down over time.
Foam is a porous material. While its porosity allows water to flow through it, it becomes problematic during heavy rainfall. The foam insert will continue to absorb water, adding weight to the gutter system and restricting the flow of water, potentially resulting in water pouring out the sides of the gutter instead of through the downspout.
Foam gutter guards are 5-star hotels for mold and mildew, and if that mold and mildew aren’t removed, they will reduce the foam’s already-short lifespan.

Mesh Gutter Guards

A mesh gutter guard on a white background

Mesh gutter guards can be made from plastic or aluminum. They feature small, fine holes designed to block larger debris (twigs, leaves, etc.) while allowing water to flow freely through the gutter system. Some types of mesh gutters are installed directly over the gutter itself, while others are designed to be installed under the roofline or shingles to create a slope for water to flow down.

Advantages

They’re a more affordable gutter guard option without compromising quality.
They’re available in various materials and styles to fit most gutter systems.
When installed correctly, they can effectively block larger debris while still allowing water to flow freely through the gutter system.
They’re among the most popular types of gutter guards and the one that L&S recommends for most properties.

Limitations

They may still allow finer debris, such as pine needles, to pass through and into the gutter system. Remember—no gutter guard is perfect. At some point, you will need to clean your gutters.
They’re not the ideal gutter guard solution for all properties, especially for homes in areas with pollinating trees.
Plastic mesh gutter guards are prone to warping and/or cracking over time.

Gutter Helmet

Gutter helmets are specialized systems that use a reverse-curve, nose-forward design to prevent leaves, twigs, and other debris from clogging gutter systems. When installed correctly, water clings to the surface of the “helmet” and flows into the gutter, while debris runs off the surface and falls to the ground below.

Advantages

They effectively keep out most coarse and fine debris, although that debris will still build up on the surface of the helmet and need to be removed.
They’re very durable.
They require minimal maintenance.

Limitations

Pollen and tiny seeds can still pass through and create a sludge buildup within the gutter.
They have a higher initial upfront cost.
They can be ineffective during heavy rainfall because water can flow over them and down the sides of the home, resulting in water pooling around the foundation.
Helmets, due to the nature of their design, can make it difficult to properly clean gutters, and as you already know by now, you will need to clean your gutters eventually, even with guards.
Helmets can hide gutter problems, such as standing water and deterioration, which makes it harder to spot and resolve these issues early on.

Metal Perforated

Metal perforated guards feature punched holes, which allow them to catch larger debris while still letting water flow through unobstructed. This guard option combines durability with affordability—in our opinion, it’s the most time-tested, valuable option on the market.

They can be installed directly over the gutters or by tucking them under the lip of roof shingles, so accessing your gutters for maintenance won’t be burdensome, such as with gutter helmets.

Advantages

They feature a rubber gasket at the rear that leans against the fascia of the home, which creates a tighter seal between the guard and the back of the gutter to prevent water intrusion.
Metal perforated guards are made from heavy-gauge metal, so they’re guaranteed to last in the harsh weather conditions Michiganders are used to.
They are easy to remove due to their design.
Metal perforated designs feature sizable channels that allow a higher volume of water to flow into the gutters, ensuring drainage even in heavy rains while still preventing most large debris from passing through.
They are more securely installed because they are clipped into the front of the gutter channel and attached with a zip screw.

Limitations

Like the other gutter guards mentioned in this article, metal perforated models aren’t as effective at blocking smaller debris, like pine needles and seeds.

See If You Could Benefit From a Gutter Guard System

Are gutter guards worth it for your property? It depends. If you live in an area with dense foliage, have a multi-story home that makes routine gutter cleaning challenging, or want to minimize the risk of water damage, gutter guards are a great option, but the true answer is that we can’t determine if gutter guards are worth it for your property until we perform an inspection.

As a customer-focused contractor, our goal is to be transparent. We’re not here to make a sale—we’re here to ensure you’re getting the solutions you actually need. We have over 75 years of combined experience installing gutter guards, complete gutter systems, roofing, and siding, as well as providing unbiased professional advice.

Schedule a free assessment today, and see if you could benefit from a gutter guard system.