Are Gutter Guards Worth It in Metro Detroit?

Spring has almost sprung in Metro Detroit and with it, that means fresh debris from cottonwood trees, ‘helicopters’ from maple trees, and nests from critters accumulating in your gutters. In areas like Macomb County and Oakland County, cleaning out your gutters every spring and fall is practically a rite of passage. This recurring chore has led many homeowners to investigate the option of gutter protection, more commonly called gutter guards.

There are hundreds of companies out there selling gutter guards to the public in all shapes and sizes, ranging from a simple snap-in wire mesh to a complete custom-fabricated gutter and gutter guard installation. This leaves many Metro Detroit homeowners lost in the middle, unsure of what the right system is for them, and if the cost of professional gutter guard installation is truly worth the investment.

To help answer this question, the experts at Kanga-Roof put together this comprehensive guide to walk you through the various gutter guard systems offered in the marketplace and what our team recommends, based on the best real-world results we see across Southeast Michigan.

So, What Are the Various Types of Gutter Protection?

When you search for “best gutter guards” or “gutter protection options” in Metro Detroit, you’ll find these common types:

• Snap-In Covers (Metal or Plastic)
• Perforated Aluminum Covers
• Micro Mesh Screen Systems
• Sponge Systems
• Gutter Helmets (Surface Tension Systems)

Each of these systems has pros and cons, and the biggest consideration for a homeowner in areas like Sterling Heights or Troy, Michigan is the type and amount of debris you are looking to keep out of your gutters.

Best for Budget and Light Debris: Snap-In Covers

Snap-In Covers in a metal version are the best option for a low-cost system. If you are looking for affordable gutter protection from light debris and are on a tight budget, we would recommend a snap-in gutter guard system. They are low cost and do a nice job of keeping out larger, light debris.

They tend to struggle with finer debris like that of a cottonwood tree and pine needles, but if you only receive the occasional leaf fall and just want to avoid getting up on a ladder to clean out your gutters, then this can be a great option. The bonus is these can often be a great DIY project for handy Metro Detroit homeowners who are comfortable with heights and ladders. A great option would be the Zip Screen gutter protection system. You can learn more about those at https://zip-screen.com/.

Best Gutter Guards for Heavy Debris: Micro-Mesh Systems

If your home in Macomb or Oakland County receives a large amount of debris annually, then our recommendation would be to go with a micro-mesh gutter system. The reason for this is because they are completely encapsulated and remove any chance of even fine debris and small critters from making their way into the system. Many of the top-rated micro-mesh systems on the market come with 25-50 year clog-free warranties from the manufacturer and they can be installed on almost any standard 5” or 6” residential gutter system.

Our preferred model for this style of high-performance gutter protection system for Metro Detroit is the Aqua Armor system. This system excels at keeping out everything from shingle grit to pine needles. You can learn more about this premium gutter guard system at https://www.aquaarmor.com/.

The close runner-up to a micro-mesh system would be a helmet-style gutter system. These do a great job of keeping debris out and work on the principles of surface tension, where water flows over the curved opening and into the gutter. It is not our first choice because in very heavy rains, especially during intense Michigan storms, we have heard of water rushing over the opening and not making it into the gutters. This can be frustrating for many homeowners. (For more on gutter performance, read our article: Understanding Gutter Sizing and Performance)

Best Value Gutter Guard: Perforated Metal Covers

Our recommendation for the best value gutter guard system is one that expertly combines performance and a great price point. This honor goes to a perforated metal cover. The pros of a system like this is that it fits on most gutter systems without any heavy modifications. Most have a wave pattern built in to minimize the chance for debris sitting on top of them and creating a dam on top of your gutters, and they are also a completely enclosed system when properly installed. This means birds and insects won’t be building nests in your gutters causing clogs and overflow issues.

We do offer a model in this style, it is the Leaf Xterminator. You can learn more about that robust and cost-effective system at https://www.leafexterminator.com/.

The One Gutter Protection System to Avoid

There is only one style of gutter protection that we strongly recommend Metro Detroit homeowners stay away from: the sponge-style gutter protection. Yes, it does a good job of keeping large leaves out of the gutters, however, they are very prone to creating clogs over time due to granule runoff from your roof (a natural process, especially with asphalt shingles), and allowing a build-up of organic matter that breaks down on and in the sponge. This restricts the amount of water flowing through them. This is another popular DIY gutter protection system, but in our opinion, it regularly leads to bigger problems down the line, requiring professional cleaning or, worse, replacement. And whatever you do, do not glue these into your gutters. Once they are glued, you will often need to purchase a whole new gutter system if they become clogged.

Don’t just take our word for it! Here’s what one of our satisfied Metro Detroit gutter guard customers, Diane F. from Clay Township, had to say: “Had a visit from Charlie. Had a wonderful conversation. Very charismatic, very informative. Very trusting. PS Bill, get him a bigger vehicle !!Now that the roof Project is almost finished I would like to give a BIG Thank You to Deana, Charlie, John, Dillion and the whole roof crew that made the experience incredible. They were all friendly and courteous. You wouldn’t even know they have been here when they left. EXCELLENT JOB! THANK YOU ! Dave is coming Thursday to finish the gutter guards. What a surprise! A “Thank You” box arrived last Friday with chocolate chip cookies in it. LOVE THEM !! You guys are the best.”

Well, there you have it, the best gutter protection systems for homeowners in Metro Detroit. Every system comes with its pros and cons, but I sincerely hope this article helps clear things up regarding what is the right system for your home in Michigan.

If you would like to have a professional from Kanga-Roof come out and determine the right fit for you or to explore the overall cost for a gutter protection system for your home, my team would love to help. There is no cost for the appointment and they are all backed with our 100% Satisfaction Money Back Guarantee. To schedule your appointment give us a call at 586-566-0308 or schedule your Free Gutter Guard Inspection online at https://kanga-roof.com/schedule-inspection-now/.

I hope you gained some value from this article, and most importantly, I hope you have a Kanga-Rific day!

Sincerely,

Bill Burkhardt, Jr.