What is the Average Gutter Guard Installation Cost?

If you have gutters on your home, it’s a good idea to install a gutter guard as this is a cover that will work to stop branches, leaves, and other debris from getting in and clogging your gutters. There are many gutter guard styles available, and this makes your gutter guard installation prices fluctuate. Each style has a different cost, function, and appearance attached to it, and this can make it difficult to narrow down an exact cost for this project, especially if you’ve never had them before. However, they’re essential since no one enjoys cleaning out gutters. 

Your gutter guard installation will alleviate the work associated with this chore, and you’ll want to periodically check them instead of having to drag out the ladders and clean them out once or twice a year. You can get low-cost DIY gutter guards, but it’s a better idea to invest in a professional-grade gutter guard installation with high-quality products that will perform well and last for years at a time in different environments. Some companies even include your gutter guard installation as part of the initial package when you buy them. 

The average gutter guard installation cost varies from $1,200 to $2,000. Most people find themselves paying right around $1,500 for this project to install mesh covers with downspout screens on 200 linear feet of existing gutters. For around $400, you can get around 100 linear feet of PVC covers. If you want to go up in price, your gutter guard installation cost for 300 linear feet of coverage for downspout screens with surface tension guards will cost around $3,500. The materials will cost between $1.20 and $10.00 per foot. 

While this isn’t a huge price range associated with gutter guard installation, you do want to get a close estimate so you can budget correctly. You can do this by looking at each factor and deciding which one suits your situation the best. Some will pertain to you and some won’t, so be careful when you’re figuring out your total costs so you ensure you budget enough for it. 

Installing a guard on your gutters is a good idea no matter where you live because it allows you to keep debris out of the gutters to prevent clogs. They come in several styles and sizes, and you can match them to suit your situation. Drain Guard by Michael Coghlan / CC BY-SA 2.0

Linear Foot Pricing

One of the first things you have to know is that gutter guard installation will go by linear foot. This is how you buy it, and this is how contractors figure out their installation costs. There are several materials and types of guards available, and this lends to the cost range. The average costs for materials alone ranges between $0.60 and $6.50 a linear foot. Gutter guard installation will increase these costs by an additional $2.00 to $12.00a linear foot. The total cost range equals out to $2.60 to $18.50 for every linear foot, and this works out to: 

• 50 Linear Feet – $130 to $925
• 75 Linear Feet – $195 to $1,388
• 100 Linear Feet – $260 to $1,850
• 200 Linear Feet – $520 to $3,700
• 300 Linear Feet – $780 to $5,550

How Brand Factors Into Your Gutter Guard Installation Costs

When it comes to gutter guard installation, you want to go with a well-known company to ensure you get a product that is going to last. You can have them run straight to your rain barrel if you want to conserve water, or you can pick a brand that will direct the water’s flow far enough away to prevent foundation damage. Some brands require professional installation while others offer DIY options, and these brands include: 

EasyOn

This is a very easy to install guard that utilizes micro-mesh in the design. You can find the readily available in four feet or less lengths, and you have the ability to buy them in packs to get a small discount on your gutter guard installation costs. They’re difficult to see from the street because they have a fairly flat profile. You can get packs up to 24-feet, and they cost between $2.00 and $3.00 a linear foot. 

Gutter Helmet

This company offers custom-made guards that have a seamless appearance on your roof. You’ll get a very flat guard with a slightly rounded lip that gives a large enough opening for the water to drain out. These guards are very unobtrusive, and they’re excellent for keeping debris and leaves out of the gutter body. They feature a solid material, so they can last longer than other choices. Your gutter guard installation will cost between $15.00 and $17.00 a linear foot. 

Gutterglove

You’ll get a micro-mesh screen that snaps over the top of your existing gutter with Gutterglove’s products. These are low-profile and flat screens that are easy to install yourself. You can buy four-foot lengths in packs of 20 to get 80 linear feet in one purchase. Most big-box stores have this product readily available, and they feature a lightweight but durable aluminum. Per linear foot, your gutter guard installation price will range from $1.70 to $2.50. 

K-Guard

All of the gutters from this brand will fully integrate into your current gutter system. You’ll get a perfect fit every time that won’t allow any debris to get in, and it can help you seamless harvest rainwater. You do have to buy these guards directly from the company, and they do require a professional installation. They don’t offer upfront pricing for your gutter guard cost because it depends on your type of gutters and how the installation process goes. 

Leaf Relief

Leaf Relief offers an aluminum perforated guard for your gutters. It tucks beneath the edge of the gutter and goes over the top portion. It’s not a flat cover, so people can see it from the street. These guards come designed to help you drain as much water as possible while keeping debris out. Each section is around four feet long, and you can save on your gutter guard installation process by buying them in packs of 20. Per linear foot, they average between $1.60 and $3.00. 

LeafGuard

If you want no seams and a professional installation, LeafGuard is a good choice. These are a gutter cap or cover for your gutter with a solid design instead of a perforated or mesh cover. The water will flow over the gutter’s top into a lip to get inside the gutter. You won’t need to clean them off, and this lowers your maintenance. They get custom made and installed, and this will increase your gutter guard installation costs. You’ll pay between $9.00 and $22.00 a linear foot. 

MasterShield

If you routinely deal with green or blue algae growth on your gutters or home, MasterShield’s guard system can help you. This is a micro-mesh-style guard that uses steel with copper infused in it. The copper will kill off the algae, and it also helps prevent the black streaks that can appear and discolor your gutters. They’re great at keeping debris out, and your gutter guard installation per linear foot will run between $17.00 and $20.00. 

Valor

Valor offers copper filters with stainless steel gutters in several styles. They will custom-make the guards for your home, and they come with a guarantee to fit perfectly and work no matter what style or size your gutters are. There are different finishes and filters available, but there isn’t any upfront pricing available. Instead, you have to call the company to get an estimate for your gutters and gutter guard installation costs. 

Different brands offer different options for your gutter guards. You want to pick the ones that suit your current setup and home the best to ensure they work to the highest standard. Doing so will help funnel water away from your home to protect your foundation and roof. Downspout by Dorian Wallender / CC BY-SA 2.0

Gutter Guard Installation Costs by Type

Your gutter guard installation price will fluctuate depending on which material you choose. Every type comes with a different effectiveness level, cost, and durability rating. You have to understand the benefits and drawbacks of each to get a good feel for the one that works best for your situation. 

Aluminum Perforated

You can get perforated aluminum in four to eight-foot lengths. They’re relatively easy to install because all you have to do is lay them directly on your gutter before you tuck them beneath the eaves without using fasteners. The perforations in the guard let water flow through, but it is possible for wet leaves from your maple tree to catch on it and block them. They can last for 10 to 20 years, and they work for all types of debris. Your gutter guard installation costs will range from $1.00 to $1.50 a linear foot. 

Brush

These guards have a slightly different way they work. You’ll put a brush down inside the gutter to help catch the bigger pieces of debris and leaves. You’ll have to clean it periodically to allow it to work as good as it can. You can install the guards yourself very quickly and easily, so this can cut out the installation fees that can cause your gutter guard installation to go up. You’ll pay between $2.50 and $3.50 a linear foot. 

Foam

If you need a quick solution, foam can be a good pick. All you do is get a roll of foam and put it inside your gutter. This won’t block all of the leaves or other debris, but it’ll stop the bigger pieces from getting in. You’ll have to make a point to clean it regularly to prevent clogging. Your gutter guard installation costs will range from $2.50 to $3.50 a linear foot. You’ll install them yourself without a professional. 

Gutter Helmets

Gutter helmets are also called surface tension gutter guards, and they use a solid piece of metal to cover the entire gutter. There is an outside edge that will curve downward toward the gutter. You have to install these helmets at an angle that matches your roof’s angle. So, it works best with a moderately to mildly sloped roof. They last between 10 and 20 years, and some have a lifetime warranty. Your gutter guard installation fees will range from $3.50 to $6.50 a linear foot. 

Mesh

You can choose from aluminum or stainless steel mesh gutter guards. They work like tension or gutter helmets, and they use screens to keep almost all of the debris out. They may allow small debris slip through. They can last from 3 to 12 years, and they work best with hardwood leaves. Aluminum is the most durable material you can get and plastic is the least durable. Your gutter guard installation costs will depend on the material, and it’ll range from $0.80 and $1.25 a linear foot. 

Micro-Mesh

These are a much tighter standard than a standard mesh cover. A standard mesh cover will allow for smaller debris to slip through, but a micro-mesh cover will keep 99% of the particles out. These guards are very inflexible and stiff, and this can make installation tricky. They’ll tuck under your eaves without using fasteners, so you can install them yourself. They come in four-foot lengths, and your gutter guard installation cost will range from $1.75 to $2.50 a linear foot. 

PVC

Vinyl or PVC are the lowest quality guards you can get. They’ll lay very flat to your gutters and tuck under the drip edge or eave without fasteners. You can get three or four-foot lengths when you buy them, and they’re easy to install on your own. All you have to do is lay them on your gutter and snap them under the edge. They work best for needles or leaves, but they only last between three and six years, depending on the climate. Your gutter guard installation cost will range from $0.60 to $1.50 a linear foot. 

Stainless Steel 

Stainless steel is very durable, and it’ll usually outlast aluminum or PVC screens. You’ll typically choose from pre-cut lengths and widths, but you can get them custom-made. They can curl down toward the fascia and gutter while others tuck under the first shingle layer. You want to avoid these to prevent roof damage. They work best for needles and leaves, and they can last from 7 to 10 years if they come with a powder coating on them. You’ll pay between $1.50 and $3.50 a linear foot. 

You want to match the gutter guard material to your climate and location to ensure you get something that can keep up with the water volume and the different things the weather throws at them. Downspout by James Bremner / CC BY-NC 2.0

Gutter Guard Cost Factors

There are several factors that will impact your gutter guard installation costs. Knowing which ones apply to you will allow you to adjust your budget as needed to get the guards you need without breaking your budget. They include: 

• Accessibility – How accessible your gutters are will dictate how easy or difficult it is to perform gutter guard installation. Ideally, there won’t be anything in the way that the company will have to move or cut back like shrubs or bushes. 

• Home Height – If you only have a single story to your home, your gutter guard installation will cost less than it will if you have two or three stories to deal with. 

• • Location and Climate – If you live in a colder climate that routinely gets ice and snow, you need your guards and gutters to be able to withstand the temperature swings and additional weight. This means you may have less choice with material, and this can drive up the price. 

• Roof Configuration and Type – Steeper roofs that have a more complicated configuration will be harder to install gutter guards on than a slightly less pitched or sloped roof. Flat or shallow roofs are safer and easier to work with. 

Gutter Guard Installation Costs

When you want to install these guards, you have a few options available to you. If you buy them on your own, you can hire a contractor to install them at $2.00 to $4.00 a linear foot. You can also ask a full-service company that specializes in gutter guards to get enough for your home and install them for you all in one go. This gutter guard installation cost will range from $8.00 to $12.00 a linear foot. 

Some companies will include the installation costs in with the original buying price. Your home’s size will dictate how long the project takes. Each gutter guard type has a different installation process. Some hinge, some snap on, and some need custom bolts or screws to fasten. Some companies will also cut the gutters on-site to get a perfect fit, and this can be more expensive. 

Miscellaneous Cost Factors

To get a good idea of the costs involved with your gutter guard installation process, you have to consider the miscellaneous cost factors that go into the final price. There aren’t a huge number of factors, but there are a few you want to consider, including: 

Accessories 

You can enhance your gutter guard’s performance with a few different accessories. They can also save you money in the long run. Downspout extensions, downspout screens, and heated gutter guards are all viable options to consider when you shop. 

Cleaning

Ideally, you’ll clean your gutters out at least once a year, but it’s better to clean them out once in the fall and once in the spring. This can help prevent pooling, clogging, and future leaks. There are companies that offer to clean your gutters for you for around $200 a visit. 

Downspout Extension

A downspout extension is a nice investment when you take on gutter guard installation. This extension will directly control how water leaves your gutters and where it goes. Ideally, you’ll divert it far away from the foundation to prevent damage. A downspout extension costs between $8.00 and $12.00 each, and you’ll want one for each downspout you have. 

Downspout Screen

Better known as foam filters, downspout screens can prevent large debris and leaves from clogging your gutter’s downspouts, and this is a common issue. Most screens come designed to fit in any downspout to make it drain smoothly. You can attach a screen to each downspout so you don’t have to manually clean them a few times a year, and they cost between $2.00 and $5.00 each. 

Heated Guards

If you live in a cold planting zone, you may want to seriously consider getting a heated guard. This will prevent ice and snow from building up and weighing down your gutters, and it’ll take care of problems like ice dams while keeping water from getting into your house. These can be more expensive, and your gutter guard installation costs for heated ones range from $1,500 to $5,000. If you already have gutter guards, you can install this heated system on them to help save money. 

Water Rating

Your climate will come into play when you pick out your new guards for your gutters. If your area regularly gets a high amount of rainfall, you’ll want to look at the guard’s rating and make sure it’s high enough to withstand the amount of rain you get. For areas with ice and snow, the guard should be heavy-duty to withstand the extra weight. Windy climates require you to have gutter guards that fasten straight to the gutter to keep it in place. 

Hiring a Professional or DIYing the Gutter Guard Installation 

Some gutter guard installation processes are perfect for the average DIYer, but you’ll need some tools and equipment to complete this project, including: 

• Extension Ladder – $100 to $200

• Gloves and Safety Glasses – $25.00

• Grinder with a Metal Cutting Blade – $65.00

• Lift Rental – $200 to $500 a day

• Tin Snips – $18.00

You want to ensure that you use the correct safety measures when you cut metal or work at heights. If your gutters need to get mounted with screws, you have to have a good understanding of the consequences of adding screws into your gutters and fascia boards. You want to follow the installation instructions that come with the gutters. 

If your gutter guard installation requires you to integrate them with the shingles of your roof, you could easily void your roofing warranty if you don’t do it correctly.  The system on your roof will stop water from getting into your home’s foundation and causing damage, but not installing them correctly can reduce how well they work. A professional will ensure the water goes where it’s supposed to and fit them properly. 

Where to Find Gutter Guard Installation Experts Near You

If you need gutter guard installation services, you’ll want to contact a few local professionals in your area. Doing so will help you get a more accurate estimate on what this project will cost, and you can start here: 

• Gutter Guard Professionals

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s important that you ask questions when you talk to contractors to ensure you get the correct guards for your needs. It can also help you get a better handle on the costs, and this can help you budget much better. Downspout by negro gato / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

1. Are gutter guards effective?

As long as your gutter guard is on correctly, they can be effective at stopping clogs. Small debris can slip through the mesh or opening, but it’ll keep the bigger debris out. In turn, you won’t have to clean then out nearly as much. 

2. Can gutter guards slip over existing gutters?

Yes. It’s possible to slip your gutter guards over your existing ones. This can save you on your gutter guard installation costs as long as your existing gutters are in good shape without any cracks or problems. If they’re not, you may have to replace them before you install the guards. 

3. When do you know if gutter guards are a good investment? 

If you have problems keeping your gutters cleaned out or if you live in an area that has a lot of leaves and debris, gutter guards are a good idea. If your gutters overflow due to clogging, this can lead to damage on your roof, house, and foundation. 

Bottom Line

Your final costs to install your gutter guards will fluctuate depending on a range of factors. Finding out which factors apply to you and which don’t will help you get a more accurate estimate for this project’s scope. It’s a good idea to pull in a professional to avoid damaging your roof or home, and this can help ensure they last longer too. Get them installed and enjoy being able to relax knowing your gutters will work correctly all year round.