What is the Best Gutter Guard on the Market?
Let’s face it: cleaning the entire gutter system is a chore nobody enjoys. It’s messy, time-consuming and dangerous. That’s where gutter guards come in. These ingenious devices promise to keep leaves, twigs, and other debris out of your gutters, saving you from the hassle of regular gutter cleaning. But with so many options on the market, finding the best gutter guard can feel like navigating a maze.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the world of gutter guards, examining the pros and cons of different types and designs, including micro-mesh and solid gutter guards. We’ll delve into factors like effectiveness, durability, and cost to help you make an informed decision. So, whether you’re a homeowner looking to protect your investment or simply seeking a way to avoid that dreaded ladder climb, read on to discover the best gutter guard for your needs.
Say goodbye to clogged gutters and hello to a worry-free home maintenance routine. Your journey to finding the perfect gutter guard for your home starts here.
The Gutter Guard Market in KC – Who to Get a Bid from in 2025?
DIY Gutter Guards in Kansas City
Mesh Gutter Guards; Gutter Screens $-$$
How they work: These feature either a fine mesh gutter guard or a screen with larger openings which allow water to pass through the gutters while blocking leaves, twigs, and other debris from clogging the inside of the gutter.
- Pros: Affordable. Easy to install. Come in various sizes to fit most standard gutters, Can come in aluminum and stainless steel, which are long lasting materials. Good at keeping out large debris. May reduce the number of yearly cleanings.
- Cons: High maintenance. Leaves, sticks, maple seeds, oak tassels, pine needles, and other debris will collect on top. A mesh gutter guard will typically require cleaning off the top of the mesh (on which debris has accumulated), but you should no longer need to clean the inside of the gutter. Screens with larger openings will require both cleaning the top of the screen and the inside of the gutter due to smaller debris like pine needles or seeds getting through and clogging the inside of the gutters. In Kansas City, these designs generally require removing and cleaning twice a year, once in the Spring and once in the Fall. May be made of flimsy metal and bracketing. Typically not a permanent solution due to inferior materials and frequent maintenance. May need replacement over time. Can be visible and unsightly.
https://guttercoverkc.com/keep-helicopters-out-of-gutter/
Foam Gutter Guards $
How they work: These are foam inserts that fit inside your gutters, blocking debris while allowing water to soak through.
- Pros: Affordable. Very easy to install (just push them into the gutter). Come in various sizes to fit most standard gutters. Good at keeping out large debris. May reduce the number of gutter cleanings per year.
- Cons: High maintenance. Small debris, dirt, decaying leaves, oak tassles, etc. sit on top and block the rainwater, they also filter through the foam and into the gutter. They degrade over time and breakdown from snow and ice. They require being removed from the gutter and cleaned by hand to keep them clean enough to allow the water through. Lastly, they sit inside the gutter, reducing the water volume the gutter can handle during heavy rains. Not a permanent solution, will break down and need replacement over time. Can be visible and unsightly,
https://guttercoverkc.com/gutter-foam-vs-guard/
Brush Gutter Guards $
How they work: These resemble bottle brushes and sit inside the gutter, allowing water to flow through the bristles while leaves and large debris are blocked.
- Pros: Affordable. Very easy to Install. (Just slide them into the gutter). Come in various sizes to fit most standard gutters. Good at keeping out large debris. May reduce the number of gutter cleanings per year.
- Cons: High maintenance. Small debris, pine needles, maple seeds and oak tassels can get caught in the bristles. They require being removed from the gutter and cleaned by hand. They sit inside the gutter, reducing the water volume the gutter can handle during heavy rains. Not a permanent solution, will break down and need replacement over time. Unsightly as they can be seen over the top of the gutter.
Plastic Screen Gutter Guards $
How they work: Similar to metal screen guards, but made of plastic. They usually snap or clip onto the front nose of the gutter.
- Pros: Affordable. Very easy to install. Come in various sizes to fit most standard gutters. Good at keeping out large debris. May reduce the number of gutter cleanings per year.
- Cons: High Maintenance. Small debris can filter through the screen into the gutter. All debris will collect on top of the screens and need to be cleaned off to allow water into the gutter. Will require removal to clean inside the gutter. Less durable than metal guards. Can become brittle and break down over time, especially with sun exposure,extreme temperatures and weight of ice and snow. Not a permanent solution, will need replacement overtime. Can be visible and unsightly.
DIY Gutter Guards Summary
DIY Gutter Guards are the cheapest option and are usually easy to install – meaning these are typically your quickest fix. However, regular maintenance and still being on ladders are the trade-offs for those benefits. In addition, they are often not of durable materials and need replacement in a few years, increasing the overall cost.
Professional Gutter Guards Installed in Kansas City
Advantage Gutter Guard® (Gutter Cover KC®) $$
How they work: A solid, smooth surface gutter guard system that uses surface tension to direct water into the gutters. The nose forward design extends over the gutter, blocking debris from entering. This prevents both large and small debris from creating clogs. The science of surface tension controls the water right from the edge of the roofline to the inside of the gutter even in heavy downpours.
- Pros: Low maintenance. Lifetime Warranty. Guaranteed to prevent gutter clogs. Requires minimal maintenance, possibly just a quick spray with a hose from time to time.. Installs on all 5-8 inch standard gutters and half round gutters. It’s made of heavy gauge aluminum, copper, or galvalume (all very long-lasting materials). A heavy-duty aluminum bracket increases the strength of the gutters themselves, preventing the gutters from pulling away from the fascia and protecting the system from the weight of ice and snow. The low-profile design works with all roof types and is nearly invisible as it blends in with the roofline and gutter. A permanent solution to Gutter Cleaning.
- Cons: The Advantage Gutter Guard® requires a professional installation. Surface tension products should only be installed by professionals or not installed at all.
LeafFilter® $$-$$$
How they work: Extremely fine micro mesh gutter guard which allows water through while preventing virtually all debris from entering the gutter. Handles heavy rain. Similar to DIY mesh in function, performance and maintenance
- Pros: Lifetime transferable warranty. Guaranteed to prevent gutter clogs inside the gutter. The mesh is made of medical-grade steel, which is very durable, while the frame supporting the mesh is made of PVC (plastic) – a less durable material. Fits gutter sizes up to 15 inches. Reduces the number of gutter cleanings per year.
- Cons: High maintenance. Requires professional Installation. Expensive. Although you will never have to clean the inside of the gutters with LeafFiler®, the design of the system typically still requires maintenance. As with all mesh systems, debris will sit on top of the mesh. Over time this debris creates a barrier that does not allow the water to enter the gutters, unless it is regularly maintained. Certain sticky and small debris can be a real problem for all mesh designs, including LeafFilter®. For example, oak tassels, dirt, pollen and mold.
NOTE: This con can be cleared up by regular maintenance. Simply scrub the mesh 1-2 times a year to prevent debris from creating a barrier over the holes.
For more details see our article on Advantage Gutter Guard® vs Leaf Filter.
K-Guard® $$$
How they work: An aluminum, solid surface gutter guard system that uses surface tension to direct water into the gutter. Made on site, the gutter and cover are made to fit together into a one piece system. The solid surface blocks debris and the reverse curve design directs water into the gutter.
- Pros: Low maintenance. Guaranteed to prevent gutter clogs. With the exception of a PVC (plastic) bracket, the system is made of heavy gauge aluminum, which is very durable. Due to its smooth, solid surface design, it will have minimal maintenance, possibly just a quick spray with a hose from time to time. A permanent solution to gutter cleaning.
- Cons: This is a complete system, which means both gutter and guard are fitted together to form one piece. Practically, this means the gutters must always be replaced, even if they are in good condition. Although it comes in 5 and 6 inch size, due to its ‘one-piece type’ design, the actual gutter capacity is smaller than a standard 5 or 6 inch gutter respectively. This could be an issue for home designs with a large volume of rainwater The guard is not nose-forward in design. Requires professional installation. Is on the more expensive side of the options available.
Professional Installation Summary
Advantage Gutter Guard®, LeafFilter®, and K-Guard® are professional gutter guard systems in Kansas City, each designed to prevent clogs and protect gutters. Advantage Gutter Guard® uses durable materials and surface tension to block debris, requiring minimal maintenance but professional installation. LeafFilter® features a micro-mesh system that prevents clogs but needs regular cleaning to remove debris buildup. K-Guard® is a one-piece aluminum system with low maintenance and durability but requires replacing the entire gutter system, making it a pricier option. All three are effective but vary in design, maintenance, and installation requirements.
What is the Best Gutter Guard for Kansas City Climate?
Many gutter guards on the market are sold nationwide. Although this is not necessarily a bad thing, we should take into consideration what is best suited for our specific area. Let’s examine which gutter guards protect your gutters best for Kansas City’s weather and trees.
Gutter Guards for Heavy Rains
When first installed, all of the most popular gutter guards mentioned in this article will work well in a heavy rain. However, after being exposed to a year of leaves, pollen, seeds and pine-needles, which gutter guards can still handle heavy rain?
Best Gutter Guards for Heavy Rain
In our 24 years of experience, we recommend Advantage Gutter Guard® and K-Guard. These should be able to handle heavy rains with less maintenance on your part. This means more consistent protection for a surprise heavy rain. Additionally, the Advantage Gutter Guard® has been tested to prove it can handle heavy amounts of rainfall.
Worst Gutter Guards for Heavy Rain
Any gutter mesh, leaf filter or screen design that has not been regularly and thoroughly cleaned. Like any filter, when the ‘holes’ or openings are clogged, nothing else can get through. Meaning cascading water from your gutters.
Gutter Guards for Heavy Winds
Kansas City is known for its severe weather. This means that you need a gutter guard that can handle heavy winds.
Best Gutter Guards for Heavy Winds
Most gutter guards that are properly installed and attached by screws to the gutter will be able to handle heavy winds. A professional installation should theoretically help ensure this, but be sure to research the quality of their installations before purchasing. DIY gutter guards such as gutter brushes and foam gutter guards sit inside the gutter and are therefore shielded by the gutter during heavy winds anyway.
Notably, a third-party test demonstrated that the Advantage Gutter Guard® can withstand 125 mph winds
Worst Gutter Guard for Winds
Gutter guards that are the least likely to withstand heavy winds are any DIY gutter protection systems that are clipped on rather than screwed down.
Gutter Guard for Snow and Ice
Snow and ice are typically an issue for gutters and gutter protection systems because of their weight.
Best Gutter Guard for Ice and Snow
Any design that includes a strong internal bracket that keeps the system attached and strengthens the gutters should be able to hold up to most of what a KC winter will throw at it. In this respect, The Advantage Gutter Guard®, Leaf Filter® and Kguard should all hold up well.
Not to brag (although, let’s be honest, we are a little) Advantage Gutter Guard® has a heavy duty aluminum bracket that has been third-party tested to handle upwards of 122 LBS per linear foot. Wowzers! gutter-guards-strengthen-gutters
Worst Gutter Guard for Ice and Snow
To our knowledge (and we’ve been in this industry since 2001), no DIY products come with a strong internal bracket that supports the system itself or reinforces the gutters.
As a side note, plastic (PVC of any kind) will be more susceptible to breakdown from snow, ice and other weather extremes than metal products. So we encourage you to focus on systems without PVC (plastic) components if possible.
See our “Best Gutter Guards For Winter” article for more information.
Gutter Guards for Oak, Pine and Maple Trees
Kansas City has many oak, pine, and maple trees. These drop types of debris that make many gutter guard systems fail.
Best Gutter Guards for KC Trees
Advantage Gutter Guard® and K-Guard should function best for helicopters, seeds, and pine needles. This is because both have solid surface designs which allow water to continue to go into the gutters even if some of these land on the top of the systems. If any of these debris ever did collect, in all likely scenarios, they should be easily removed from the ground with a spray from your hose rather than hands on maintenance.
Advantage Gutter Guard® may have a slight design advantage over K-Guard when it comes to sticky tassels due to its nose forward design.
Worst Gutter Guards for KC Trees
Any design that has holes or openings on the top. This includes all screens, meshes / micro mesh, and leaf filters.
For more information on each type of debris you might be trying to find a solution for please see our additional resources:
See the “Best Gutter Guards For Leaves” article for more information.
Here is the “Best Gutter Guards For Pine Needles” article for more information.
See the “Best Gutter Guards For Oak Tassles” article for more information.
Which Types of Gutter Guards Have the Least Maintenance?
Gutter guards in general should save you maintenance. That is largely the purpose, right?
Let’s face it, though: The reality is that anything which is out in the elements will need some sort of maintenance.
So the question is: Which gutter guard needs the least amount of your attention? We will list the gutter guards we’ve discussed from the least maintenance to most.
Low Maintenance Gutter Covers
Advantage Gutter Guard® and K-Guard need the least maintenance in the systems we’ve discussed. Typically all they should need is an occasional spray with a hose from the ground.
Medium Maintenance Gutter Guards
Any gutter guard with holes on the top, such as gutter screens, leaf filters, or gutter guard mesh, will need to be thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis, at least twice a year. This may involve removing the system from your gutters, getting on a ladder or your roof.
High Maintenance Gutter Guards
Gutter brushes and gutter foams will get clogged with debris and will disintegrate in time. Expect to clean your guttering system at least twice a year and replace them every few years. This would involve removing the system from your gutters, getting on a ladder or your roof.
What is the Best Gutter Guard for the Environment?
Gutter guards that need to be replaced regularly waste a lot of material. Those that are made of non-recyclable materials are even worse. So many or even most DIY options are not ideal for the environment.
Advantage Gutter Guard® and K-Guard are both made of heavy-gauge aluminum that is recyclable. Both gutter guards should last decades on a home. However, it could be argued that Advantage Gutter Guard® has the edge in terms of low environmental impact as gutters in good condition would never need to be replaced. Since most reasonably maintained aluminum gutters should last 20+ years, this is a lot of saved guttering material. In addition, Advantage Gutter Guard® does not use plastic. Between the two, that’s less of a footprint.
What is the Best Gutter Guard in the KC market?
In our 24+ years of experience, Advantage Gutter Guard® is the best gutter guard in the Kansas City market.
We believe this because it addresses the three primary reasons people want a gutter guard: It (1) keeps your gutters unclogged, (2) keeps you off the ladder, and (3) keeps your maintenance at an absolute minimum. It also doesn’t require you to replace gutters in good condition and is at a reasonable price point.
If you are considering getting a bid for a gutter cover in 2025, definitely include Advantage Gutter Guard®! Contact Gutter Cover Kansas City® to set up a no pressure consultation.
