A contractors’ guide for helping clients choose the best gutter solutions based on where they live.
Contractors know that choosing the right gutter solutions for clients will help them reduce maintenance and prevent hazards such as infestation, foundation cracking, land erosion, and other costly headaches. Each home is unique in its own way, and homeowners deserve gutter protection that’s specifically designed to keep their homes and surroundings safe. To determine which option is best for the homeowner, it’s important for contractors to understand gutter compatibility, the various types of gutter guard technology on the market, and the benefits and features that best fit a client’s needs.
Ensuring Gutter Compatibility
Gutters come in several styles, including K-style, half-round, and box gutters. A crucial aspect that should never be overlooked by a contractor is how well a gutter guard aligns and performs with the homeowner’s current gutter system. A mismatched gutter guard installation can result in the buildup of debris, a decrease in efficiency and performance, and an increase in the risk of water damage to the home and foundation. This can be avoided by ensuring the selected gutter guards seamlessly integrate and fit onto the gutter system.
Climate and Environmental Factors
Climate and environmental factors play a key role in determining the right gutter protection system for a client’s home. Is the home in a severe climate area that receives heavy snowfall? In an area that receives steady rainfall? Or is it in a coastal area with heavy moisture? Contractors can safeguard the home–and ensure the gutter guard’s functionality and durability–by selecting a product that matches the specific climate and conditions.
Choosing the Right Type of Gutter Guard
Gutter guards are designed to protect homes by blocking debris and allowing water to properly flow through gutters. Alongside climate and environmental considerations, contractors should inform homeowners about material quality, durability, design, and functionality when selecting the appropriate type of gutter guard for installation over the gutters. Not all gutter guards are created equal, so it’s important to discuss with the homeowner what matters most to them with regard to protection and make the appropriate recommendations that align with their needs and budget.
Stainless Steel Gutter Guards: Known for their durability and weather resistance, stainless steel gutter guards are ideal for regions with heavy snowfall or consistent rain. Their strength allows them to withstand harsh conditions and they typically require less maintenance over time. Gutterglove® offers two styles of stainless steel gutter guards: the stainless steel micro-mesh is best suited for homes that receive steady rainfall throughout the year or are in coastal areas with heavy moisture, whereas their frame-reinforced stainless steel micro-mesh model is best suited for homes in severe climates with heavy snowfall and in need of the strongest gutter protection.
The stainless steel micro-mesh model features a high-performance micro-mesh that efficiently filters out fine debris such as leaves, pine needles, pests, and roof grit. The frame-reinforced version is designed to withstand heavy loads, such as branches and storm debris, thanks to its patented slotted-frame design and rib support structures. Gutter guards crafted from stainless steel will also prevent rusting, cracking, and warping.
Aluminum Gutter Guards: Like stainless steel gutter guards, aluminum gutter guards offer strength and durability while providing dependable performance that is resistant to rust, cracking, and warping. This lightweight style is best suited for homes in areas with young trees. Gutterglove’s all-aluminum gutter guard features their patented RiserStep™ technology, which maximizes water flow and increases rigidity while keeping larger leaves, pests, and debris from entering the gutters.
PVC Gutter Guards: For basic gutter protection, PVC or plastic gutter guards are a budget-friendly option for homes in areas with light debris and minimal extreme weather. However, it’s important for contractors to advise their clients that this type of gutter guard can become brittle over time and are more prone to warping or cracking, especially in extreme weather temperatures.
Brush Guards: Made from heavy-duty bristles, brush guards sit inside the gutter system and trap debris while allowing water to pass through to the gutter system. While they can be simple and effective in the short term, their effectiveness varies based on the types of trees around the homeowner’s roof line. Drawbacks of brush guards–including the inability to withstand heavy loads, accumulation of small debris like dust and roof grit, required regular maintenance, and potential for ice damming–should be communicated to clients so they are aware of the performance aspects before installing.
Foam Inserts: Foam inserts are easy to install in a gutter system and can block large debris like leaves and branches from clogging the gutters. However, smaller debris like pine needles, roof grit, and dirt can build up and clog the sponge material, which can lead to the gutter system overflowing. Like PVC gutter guards, foam inserts have limited durability and should only be recommended to clients as a temporary solution.
It’s important for contractors to educate their clients on the various materials and technology available in the different gutter solution products to help them make the best decision for their homes. Durable and rust-resistant materials will ensure a longer lifespan while offering heightened protection against diverse weather conditions, maintaining their functionality and appearance season after season.
Level of Maintenance
Skilled contractors know that no gutter guard completely eliminates the need to maintain a gutter system; gutter guards simply reduce the amount of maintenance needed. Proper maintenance and cleaning are still required for the effectiveness and longevity of gutter guards. Different materials require different levels of maintenance.
Mesh and micro-mesh guards require periodic checks to prevent clogs, whereas foam and brush guards require more routine maintenance to avoid debris or mold build-up. Contractors should advise their clients to conduct routine inspections, especially after extreme weather. Debris removal will ensure the gutter guard system is working as intended.
Selecting the right gutter guard for clients involves understanding their gutter style and the regional climate in the area in which they live. By tailoring gutter guard recommendations to these factors and considerations, contractors can provide customized solutions that add value to every project.
