LeafGuard advertises itself as the seamless gutter solution that eliminates clogging from your life.
In fact, the company is so confident in its never-log guarantee that it will come out to clean your gutters if they do end up filled with debris.
But is that enough to make LeafGuard the best gutter guarding solution on the market today?
What Is LeafGuard?
LeafGuard is a type of gutter guard, which are products you use to keep debris and other detritus out of your gutters.
It stands out because the product uses a scientific principle called liquid adhesion to guide water into your gutters while ensuring they never get clogged with debris.
Did You Know? Liquid adhesion refers to the attractive forces that cause moisture to cling to surfaces.
If you’ve ever seen rain cling to a window sill, you’ve seen liquid adhesion in action. LeafGuard works by using a guard that causes liquids to adhere to it, allowing the water to flow into your gutters while keeping debris out.
LeafGuard’s solutions are customized to fit your home and they’re installed by professionals.
The company has earned Good Housekeeping’s seal of approval for 15 consecutive years, marking it out as one of the most trusted gutter guarding solutions on the market.
How Much Is LeafGuard?
The cost of a LeafGuard installation can vary widely depending on several factors, including the type of guttering you need and how your installer prices their services.
However, you should find that an average LeafGuard installation costs somewhere between $8.50 and $30 per linear foot.
The average residential property in the United States has between 120 and 250 feet of guttering.
If we assume you need LeafGuard for 200 feet of guttering, this means the installation will cost you between $1,700 and $6,000.
How Does LeafGuard’s Cost Compare to Other Top Brands?
LeafGuard typically costs more than other brands because it requires you to install new guttering, rather than fit a gutter guard over your existing gutters.
There are several more cost-effective gutter guard solutions on the market. Here’s a general breakdown based on cost per linear foot:
Gutter Glove – $1.50 to $2.35
Leaf Relief – $1.50 to $2.80
EasyOn – $1.90 to $2.80
Valor – $7.50 to $10
Still, LeafGuard is also not the most expensive gutter solution on the market. Several can cost more per square foot, including Gutter Helmet, which comes in at between $14 and $16 per linear foot.
Leaf Filter is the most expensive gutter guard brand, with its installation costing between $14 and $33 per linear foot.
| Brand | Cost Per Linear Foot | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| LeafGuard | $8.50 to $30.00 | •Liquid adhesion; •A one-piece design; •A no-clog guarantee; •Customized fitting; •Removal of your existing gutters •The Scratchguard® finish; •A limited lifetime warranty |
| Gutter Glove | $1.50 to $2.35 | •Micro-Mesh design; •V-Ben technology; •Blocks small debris; •Anodized aluminum frame |
| Leaf Relief | $1.50 to $2.80 | •Protection from small debris; •Prevents ice dams; •Continuous hanging system; •10-to-25-year warranty |
| EasyOn | $1.90 to $2.80 | •Flexible installations; •Combines stainless steel and aluminum; •U.S.-based support; •DIY installation possible |
| Valor | $7.50 to $10.00 | •Professional installation; •Fits gutters between 4 and 7 inches; •Several colors available; •Guards against pests |
| Gutter Helmet | $14.00 to $16.00 | •Liquid adhesion; •Professional installation; •Aluminum framing; •Transferable lifetime warranty |
| Leaf Filter | $14.00 to $33.00 | •375-micro steel mesh; •Transferable lifetime warranty; •Available in 43 states; •uPVC frames |
The Key LeafGuard Features
LeafGuard’s main features make it an attractive proposition for potential customers. If you choose the system, you benefit from the following:
LeafGuard’s Features vs Other Brands
LeafGuard compares favorably to many of the gutter guard solutions discussed above. The following is a brief rundown of each solution’s key features.
Gutter Glove
-Micro-Mesh design using stainless steel
-V-Bend technology lifts small debris so it’s blown off your roof
-Blocks the smallest debris
-An anodized aluminum frame prevents rusting and corrosion
Leaf Relief
-Protection from small debris
-Only allows water into gutters to prevent ice dams and blockages
-A continuous hanging system makes them easy to clean
-10-to-25-year warranty
EasyOn
-Flexible installations
-Combines aluminum and stainless steel to prevent warping and rusting
-U.S.-based customer support team
-DIY installation possible
Valor
-Professional installation
-Fits gutters between 4 and 7 inches
-Available in a wide variety of colors
-Guards against pests as well as debris
Gutter Helmet
-Uses liquid adhesion and surface tension to guide water into gutters
-Professional installation
-Aluminum gutter guards provide strength and rust resistance
-Transferable lifetime warranty
Leaf Filter
-Steel 375-micron mesh design
-A lifetime warranty that can be transferred
-uPVC frames prevent warping and deterioration
-Only available in 43 states
Pros And Cons of LeafGuard
As with all gutter guards, LeafGuard has pros and cons. You need to know what they are so you can make an informed decision when purchasing.
The Pros
LeafGuard has several attractive advantages that may make it a better choice than many other gutter guards.
Pro No. 1 – The No-Clog Guarantee
No matter how good your gutter guards are, they can be 100% effective. Even the best guards let a little bit of debris through. LeafGuard claims that it does not.
Though this may not be the case, it backs up its claims by offering free gutter clearing to anybody who finds their gutters get clogged up once LeafGuard is installed.
That means you don’t have to worry about clambering up ladders to clean your gutters at any point. Just contact the installer and they’re obligated to clear your gutters for you.
Did You Know? LeafGuard’s stats suggest that about 630,000 non-occupational ladder falls occur in the United States every year.
The average height of these falls is 10 feet, making them extremely dangerous to homeowners. The company’s no-clog guarantee means you never have to put yourself at risk of a fall.
Pro No. 2 – Customized And Professional Installation
You don’t have to worry about the possibility of your gutter guards not fitting your gutters with LeafGuard. The company provides a comprehensive installation service through which it customizes your solution to your property.
In many cases, this leads to the removal of your old guttering. LeafGuard handles the removal for you, including taking the old gutters away from your home.
Its professional installation services mean you can feel confident that your new gutter guards are installed by somebody who knows what they’re doing.
Pro No. 3 – Enhanced Durability
As with several of the brands we examined earlier, LeafGuard uses aluminum to frame and support its gutter guards.
However, advanced durability comes from the fact that the company’s aluminum is 20% thicker than that used by most other brands. Combine this with the non-corrosive hangers used for the installation and you’re unlikely to experience weather damage with LeafGuard.
These gutter guards also use the company’s patented ScratchGuard® paint finish. An environmentally-friendly finish, ScratchGuard® shouldn’t rust or peel, no matter how difficult conditions get.
The company also claims that its downspouts are 30% larger than its nearest competitors, meaning you get enhanced water drainage in addition to a stronger product. LeafGuard can handle up to 32 inches of rain per hour.
Did You Know? The world record for a single hour of rainfall was recorded in Shangdi Nei Monggol in China.
A supposed 15.78 inches of rain fell in the territory in just one hour in 1975. As such, LeafGuard can handle approximately double the amount of hourly rainfall as the world record.
Pro No. 4 – One-Piece Design
Much of LeafGuard’s strength comes from its one-piece design. This choice means the gutter guard has no seams, meaning there are few opportunities for cracks and breakages across the gutters.
This is particularly important in areas that receive heavy rainfall. Constant water flowing can cause sagging and other issues in less durable gutters.
In some cases, the weight of the water results in seams breaking, which creates leaks and spillages that can affect the entire property. That won’t be an issue with LeafGuard.
Pro No. 5 – Limited Lifetime Warranty
LeafGuard’s lifetime warranty is fairly extensive. In addition to covering the gutter cleaning that may result from LeafGuard’s no-clog guarantee, it also covers the repair and replacement of any part of your guttering.
The company also repaints damaged gutters and guards, meaning you don’t have to worry about mismatches.
It is also a transferable warranty.
If you sell your property, LeafGuard’s warranty transfers to the new owner. In these cases, the warranty reduces from a limited lifetime to a 50-year warranty, beginning from the installation date.
The Cons
While there are many things to like about LeafGuard, there are also some drawbacks to keep in mind before committing to an installation.
Con No. 1 – No DIY Installation Possible
Unfortunately, you can’t reduce the cost of LeafGuard by handling the installation yourself. Unlike the less expensive gutter guard solutions on the market, LeafGuard has to be installed by a professional.
In many cases, this installation requires the replacement of your existing gutters with LeafGuard-compatible ones.
This lack of DIY installation leads to LeafGuard costing more than most other gutter guards.
While the various guarantees the company offers may make you more confident in the result, a LeafGuard installation can put a serious strain on your bank account due to the lack of DIY options.
Con No. 2 – Heavy Rain May Fall Over The Edge
While the use of liquid adhesion as a key part of the solution’s make-up allows for subtle gutters, it can also create some problems. Liquid adhesion works well up to a point.
However, you may find that LeafGuard can’t guide all of the water from heavy rainfalls into your gutters.
This problem leads to water spilling over your gutters and falling to the floor. Thankfully, LeafGuard’s design ensures this water gets directed away from your property.
Still, it can lead to situations where you have sheets of water falling down the side of your house that you would expect your gutters to catch and direct elsewhere.
Con No. 3 – It’s A Heavy Solution
The use of thicker aluminum also means that LeafGuard is heavier than most gutter guards. This is typically not a problem unless the solution is installed incorrectly.
If installed poorly, LeafGuard could rip away from the roof, causing damage that may cost thousands of dollars to repair.
Con No. 4 – One of the Most Expensive Solutions
There’s no avoiding the fact that LeafGuard is one of the most expensive solutions available. When compared to solutions that cost less than $3 per linear foot, LeafGuard’s price tag of between $8.50 and $30 per linear foot can be off-putting.
Bear in mind that the higher end of this price range typically includes a full gutter installation. If your existing gutters are still in good condition, you may prefer a less expensive option that allows you to retain those gutters.
Did You Know? The national average cost for a full gutter installation in the United States is approximately $20 per linear foot.
What Are Customers Saying About LeafGuard– The Good
What Are Customers Saying – The Bad
Is LeafGuard Right For Your Home?
If you opt for LeafGuard, you’re typically making a larger commitment than you would with other gutter guards.
Installers often install brand new guttering as part of the system, making LeafGuard one of the most expensive gutter solutions available.
While the use of liquid adhesion ensures the gutters look great once installed, this technology does not appear to prevent ice build-up. It can also lead to overflows in heavy rain.
However, LeafGuard has many positives. The system is extremely durable thanks to its thicker aluminum framing.
Plus, the no-clog guarantee offered with each installation means you won’t have to climb a ladder again, assuming your installer stays in business.
The company’s installers are also very fast to respond to inquiries and will generally do a great job with the installation and cleaning of the site afterward.
LeafGuard is an excellent solution for those who already want a full gutter installation and want to ensure their new gutters have adequate protection.
Unfortunately, its high cost means that other solutions may prove better for those who want to keep their existing gutters.
We had LeafGuard installed decades ago on our first home, the local company did go out of business but we had no issues with having them serviced the one time it was needed. It’s apparently LeafGuard itself and not the local comapny that honors the lifetime warranty.