Gutter protection, often called gutter guards, are one of the best defenses against clogged gutters! They ensure your gutter system remains open and flowing, directing water away from your home or office’s foundation. With a wide variety of systems and forms available, it’s common for consumers to be confused about the cost of professional gutter guard installation and what system is right for them.

To help clarify this, we offer the following breakdown for residents in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties in Metro-Detroit. We’ve provided an explanation of gutter protection types with ballpark pricing to aid in your research and understanding.

Snap-In Gutter Protection: These are an extremely popular option for many homeowners and DIY consumers due to their affordability and ease of installation. Commonly made from vinyl, PVC, or metal, these guards rely on tension to stay in place, without screws or fasteners directly tying them to the gutters or building structure. For light debris and occasional leaves, they can be a great option. However, if your home experiences heavy debris, pine needles, or critter problems, they can be problematic. If bumped or moved out of place, they can allow debris into the gutter system, leading to blockages. They are also very susceptible to damage from insects and critters. A reasonable installed price for these is anywhere from $5-$8.50 per foot of gutter, depending on the exact system.
Rigid Fastened Gutter Guards: These tend to be the most popular model of gutter protection installed on homes or businesses because they offer universal protection at a competitive price. These systems are typically made of aluminum and feature a screw or fastening system that anchors them to the gutters and the building. Most have a built-in system to enclose the gutter protection, preventing pests and critters from entering. They offer a wider range of protection from debris and have a much longer lifespan, as they are installed directly onto/into the gutter system. While they often require a full set of tools and some must be installed as part of the gutter system, their more technical installation comes with an increased investment. However, with a lifespan that can extend beyond 15 years, the peace of mind of having a true complete gutter protection system often makes it worth the investment. These systems should cost somewhere between $9-$16 per linear foot, depending on the exact protection system being installed.
Rigid Mesh System: These have quickly grown in popularity due to their performance and longevity. Similar to the rigid systems discussed above, the key difference is the micro-screen, or mesh, installed over the system. This mesh prevents even the smallest debris, like shingle granules, from entering your gutter system. Additionally, the aluminum helps prevent organic matter from growing on the system. The other great news is these can be installed on almost any standard 5” or 6” gutter system. Plus due to their metal construction they hold up exceptionally well to falling debris like ice, acorns, and small branches. Since it is a complete system with pre-fabricated end caps and miter joints, it presents almost no ability for insects and animals to enter the system. With a system like this a consumer can expect to pay between $14-$20 per foot for them to be installed. Many of these systems carry clog free warranties in excess of 20 years.
Gutter Helmet System: This style of gutter protection offers the best defense against debris in the gutter. They are robust and made from either industrial-grade vinyl or aluminum. By their design almost no debris that could cause a clog can enter the system. They rely on centrifugal force to pull the water into your gutters, while pushing debris away. These can be a two piece system that is installed on your existing gutters, or as a single piece gutter and gutter guard combination. Unlike the three previous systems discussed, there are two major differences with a gutter helmet style system. The first is that you can see these from ground level, and the second is that they are tied directly into the shingle system. As such, these should only be installed by professionals to ensure your roof and gutters are a good match for this system, and to make sure your shingle system warranties are not voided out. The good news is these protection systems come in a variety of colors. This way they blend in with your existing gutters. A consumer can expect to pay between $20-$40 per foot for this system.

What Other Considerations Can Affect the Price of a Gutter Protection System?

Height of the Building: If the gutters are more than two stories from the ground, this requires substantially more safety equipment and setup. This slows the installation down and will often necessitate a larger investment.
Pitch of the Roof: The steeper the roof, the slower the installation. This directly ties into the height of the building. Gutter guards on a three-story roof with a lower slope can still be very efficient to install, compared to the same system on a steep, three-story roof.
Number of Corners, Starts, and Stops: These details in the design of your current gutter system have a direct correlation to the investment you will make in your new gutter protection. This is because these details are where the skill of the technician plays a role. Corners, gutter ends, and gutter beginnings are the most vulnerable areas of your gutter protection system. They often require more cuts, fabrication, and enclosure pieces. However, it is incredibly important that these more technical details are installed properly if you want a long-lasting system.

Gutter protection is an incredibly valuable piece of equipment to ensure your basement stays dry, your gutters perform at a high level, and your roofing system remains operational. However, as you can see from this article, a number of factors affect the overall price you will pay for the proper gutter protection system for your home or office. At Kanga Roof, we are happy to provide solutions in all four of these categories, and all come with great financing options to allow you to protect your home or office today.

Your best bet is to schedule an expert to come out and inspect your current gutters and the types of debris you are trying to keep out. They can then make an educated recommendation on what system will offer you the best protection at the right price for your budget. Our team of roofing experts would be happy to provide you with recommendations to keep your gutters operating at their best. To schedule your appointment, please CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment online, or call our office at 586-566-0308, and a team member will be happy to schedule an inspection for you.

We look forward to Hopping To It for you!

Sincerely,

Bill Burkhardt, Jr.

VP, Owner – Four Seasons Kanga Roof

What Do Gutter Guards Cost in Metro Detroit?

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