Gutter Screens vs Advantage Gutter Guard®
When it comes to preventing gutter cleaning, gutter screens have been a homeowner’s go-to product for many decades. They were the first kind of gutter protection on the market. So when it comes to finding the right gutter protection for yourself, you are wise to ask: Are gutter screens an “old reliable classic”? Or are they outdated and ineffective?
In this article we will discuss:
- Do gutter screens really work?
- How much do gutters with screens cost?
- What is the difference between gutter guards and gutter screens?
Screen Gutter Guard VS Advantage Gutter Guard®:
Not all gutter protection systems are created equal! In this video, Doug Stacye from Gutter Cover Kansas City® shares his 23 years of guttering expertise to compare Screen Gutter Guards and the revolutionary Advantage Gutter Guard®.
Learn why perforated screen systems can trap debris, clog easily, and require constant maintenance. Doug explains how leaves, pine needles, and acorns can block water flow, leading to ineffective gutters.
Discover how Advantage Gutter Guard®, with its solid-surface design and surface tension technology, keeps gutters clean and debris-free while requiring little upkeep. Perfect for homeowners seeking a long-term, low-maintenance solution!
Do gutter screens really work?
Virtually all gutter screen and filter designs work well against large leaves and debris. However, experience shows that smaller debris such as seeds, pine needles and oak tassels are problematic for two reasons. 1) If the openings are large, small debris passes through and still creates gutter clogs. 2) If the openings are very small, such as a leaf filter, the debris clogs the filter and prevents the water from passing through. This creates water control issues. So while gutter screens and leaf filters work well at keeping large debris out, they may provide another form of maintenance in cleaning the screen or filter itself.
Many people understandably hope that gutter screens are the complete solution to gutter cleaning. Unfortunately, that’s virtually never the case. Have a hard time believing that?
You can check for yourself by taking a quick stroll around your neighborhood. Play gutter screen BINGO – what should be on the list?
- Trapped maple seeds with their helicopter-like tails sticking up out of the gutter.
- Tiny trees sticking up fresh new sprouts between the screen
- A family of birds nesting on top of the gutter screen.
Next on the BINGO card is the effect of clogged gutters and/or clogged screens/filters:
- Wood rot along soffit, fascia, trim or siding
- Cracks along the foundation
- Soil erosion around the foundation
Are gutter screens better than just open gutters? That is debatable. Although not eliminating gutter cleaning altogether, they should typically reduce the frequency that gutters need to be cleaned. On the other hand, if your trees drop a lot of small debris, gutter screens and leaf filters can also make gutter cleaning more time consuming since they have to be regularly and thoroughly cleaned off.
Trying to decide which gutter guard to get?
In the video above you will see a home that is a duplex. On the left side, it had Advantage Gutter Guard® installed. On the right side, a gutter screen was installed.
As you can see, the screen is full of maple seeds while Advantage Gutter Guard® is seed-free.
At first, a gutter screen might sound like the most appealing option because it’s more economical and keeps leaves out. However, on closer examination gutter screens don’t protect the gutters from smaller debris such as these helicopters.
When screens get clogged, the gutters won’t function properly, same as if the gutter itself were clogged. And imagine having to remove each of these helicopters by hand…what a nightmare!
Consider investing in a permanent solution – Advantage Gutter Guard® – to keep all debris out for good!
So, do gutter screens work?
If your goal is simply to keep large leaves out, then yes. But if your goal is to never clean or worry about your gutters again, then almost certainly not.
Maybe you’re now wondering – okay, so the basic wire screens are not long-term solutions, but what about the other gutter protection you can find at the hardware store? What about the plastic covers that are installed like gutter screens? Or the foam that goes inside the gutters? Or maybe the micromesh gutter screen or even the fancy patented leaf filters or micro mesh systems you can’t buy at the hardware store?
Some of those do have advantages over basic gutter screens. However, most gutter screens that are one-size fits all have some pitfalls of their own.
Here’s a quick overview of each:
Plastic Cover Gutter Screens:
To state some positives, plastic gutter screens are sold in 5-foot sections, are readily available, and cheap. They lie flat and have holes in the top that can be blocked or clogged by leaves and debris. If not maintained, they will keep both large debris and water out. It is important to hose or brush the large debris and sticky debris off regularly (weekly during peak debris time) to prevent water overflow.
These plastic gutter covers typically allow small seeds, sticks and pine needles into the gutters. So, while gutters might not clog as frequently, they will eventually clog with this screen if not maintained regularly.
Additionally, the plastic does not hold up well in the fluctuating temperature of hot summers and cold winters. At best, you’re looking at a lifespan of 3-5 years.
Foam Gutter Screen:
Some positives are that they are easy to install and are inexpensive. While the foam piece does block large debris out of the main waterway, its placement in your gutter uses a large portion of space, reducing the gutter’s capacity to hold water. This contributes to water overflowing the gutters in large storms. Foam gutter guards also tend to break down and clog overtime. This requires taking the foam out of the gutter and hosing it down and reinstalling. They are temporary and need replacing periodically.
Micro-Mesh Gutter Screen:
These work the best of the DIY gutter screens. They keep out both large and small debris. However, they do eventually get clogged with pollen and tree sap. So they need a good scrubbing a couple of times a year to prevent water from skipping the gutter altogether.
Leaf Filters:
Functionally these are micro-mesh gutter screens with a different name, but made with superior materials. They have the same strengths and weaknesses in their design. However, they often come with a lifetime warranty of no gutter clogs, which is a bonus. Keep in mind though that the top of the leaf filter getting clogged is not covered under the warranty, so it will still require maintenance on your part.
So are there any gutter screens that are long-term, set it and forget it solutions?
Yes! But it isn’t a screen at all. It is a solid gutter guard.
What is the difference between gutter guards and gutter screens?
Solid gutter guards and gutter screens have the same goal: To eliminate gutter clogs. However, they try to achieve that in totally different ways with two totally different designs.
Gutter screens have perforation (holes) on the top. Solid gutter guards are completely solid on the top. Because these gutter guards are solid and don’t have these perforations, they don’t have the same maintenance challenge of debris clinging and then blocking the holes on the top.
Gutter screens use gravity to feed water into the gutter. Gutter guards use gravity AND the physics principle of surface tension to force water along the surface and into the gutter.
Gutter screens are designed to keep debris out of the gutter, but they tend to catch and collect debris on top which can prevent water getting through. Solid gutter guards block debris from entering the gutter while handling torrential rainfall. (Check out our article on surface tension for more information.) Because the top surface is smooth, most debris slides off to the ground. They are the lowest maintenance of all gutter protection because even if some debris collects on top, rather than scrubbing them like a mesh or hand cleaning a screen, all it typically takes is a quick rinse with a hose from the ground.
Gutter screens almost always have some component of plastic (it’s usually called PVC, a marketing word for plastic). Solid gutter guards are almost always made of some form of metal (usually aluminum). However, many brands have plastic brackets (again, usually called PVC). In our experience we recommend using an all-metal system for the best and longest lasting results. (See The Advantage Gutter Guard®)
How much do gutters screens cost?
Now you know which gutter screens work and how, and how gutter screens and gutter guards compare. Now for the all-important question: What’s the cost? Let’s do a quick breakdown of the numbers and then take a closer look at the bigger picture.
To be able to calculate how much this might cost on your home, you will likely need to know how many linear feet of gutter on your home. Linear footage is rarely discussed. Most of the time we talk about square footage with a home. Linear feet can also be deceptive since a home with a large footprint, may have a relatively small amount of linear feet of gutter and vice versa.
So how can you calculate the linear feet of the gutter on your home?
Go outside with a long tape measure. Look at where you currently have gutters. On some homes, this may just be two sides of the house. Next, measure the length of each side of your home that has gutters. Don’t forget that if you have more than one story, you may have more than one layer of gutters. Add all your measurements together and this will give you a rough estimate of how many linear feet of gutter you have.
Homes can vary greatly in linear feet. However, in our 24 years of experience, the average home in Kansas City has 150 linear feet.
Keep in mind all the following prices were current at the time of writing, summer of 2025.
Basic wire gutter screen:
This will cost approximately $0.36-$1.99 a linear foot. So to self-install wire gutter screens, it could cost around $60-$300.
Foam Gutter Inserts:
Similar pricing, around $1.00 per linear foot. So around $150 for the average home.
Plastic Gutter Screens:
These cost around $0.48 per linear foot. So $72 for an average home.
Let’s be honest, the gutter screen prices seem reasonable! In fact, in our 24 years in the guttering industry, we find most homeowners start with one of these options. I mean, what is a day’s labor and $60 if it could be the solution?
This is where the big picture needs to come into play.
The Real Cost of Gutter Screens
Talk to your friends, neighbors and relatives with gutter screens. Look at their houses. Do you see wood rot, foundation damage or flooded basements? Do they still need to clean their gutters a couple of times a year?
We would like you to consider this point of view for just a minute: If you know gutter screens don’t work – why even spend $60 and day of labor on it?
By the way – a day of labor at minimum wage ~$18/hour = $144. So it’s really $204 you’re spending. Plus an additional day of labor every time you climb the ladder and clean out the gutters…so at least 2-4 times a year. That’s $576 a year.
And when we say, it doesn’t work…we aren’t saying it’s simply not saving you a chore. If a gutter screen malfunctions and your gutters are clogged, or the gutter screen is clogged, you could end up with a flooded basement, wood rot or even foundation damage.
Flooded basements can cost: $1,000-$15,000
Average cost of foundation repair: $4500-$15,000
Wood rot repair can range from: $500-$3,500
Additionally, every time you go up the ladder you’re risking a very expensive injury. For instance, what’s the cost of a trip to the hospital or a broken arm? Or worse?
So what do gutter screens cost in the long term?
Cheapest Gutter Screen $60
Labor $144
Yearly Maintenance labor: $576
Risk of Water Damage: $1,600-$27,500
Risk of Injury: $3,000-$100,000
Total: $780 for the year + potential $27,000 risk + an arm and a leg
So…let’s say everything goes well. As long as you clean your gutter screens 3-4 times a year, there’s no water damage. And you’ve escaped 20 days filled with the potential for ladder accidents. In 5 years, the gutter screens would cost in labor plus screens: $2,940.
How Much Do Solid Gutter Guards Cost?
The initial investment of solid gutter guards is nearly always greater than gutter screens. An average Kansas City house will likely cost around $4,000. Okay, yes, the initial cost is considerably more. However, stay with me for the big picture:
The $4,000 is a lifetime product. So if you stay in your home less than 5 years – and all goes perfectly – a gutter screen is $1,000 cheaper. However, if you stay in your home for 10 years, you will have paid $5,820 more for the gutter screen in maintenance and labor than a solid gutter guard.
Besides the basic cost, there are many additional benefits to having a professional installation and a product that actually works for preventing clogs and water damage to your foundation, basement and siding.
1. Professional Installation:
Professionals will not only install the gutter guard correctly, but they will also make sure the gutters themselves are in proper working order.
If you choose Gutter Cover KC, our fully trained installers correct poorly functioning gutter issues . For example, they ensure that the gutters are sloped properly for correct water flow. They make sure that the downspouts are positioned correctly and are draining away from the house’s foundation.
Each one of these items makes a huge difference as to whether you get foundation damage or a flooded basement.
With Advantage Gutter Guard® our goal is more than just preventing gutter clogs from leaves and other debris, it’s about optimizing the entire gutter system and helping to prevent water damage. It’s also about aesthetics and your home being beautiful. Advantage Gutter Guard® is versatile and can be installed on different sizes of gutters and different roofs. It looks gorgeous on k-style gutter, copper gutter, existing gutters, as well as half round gutters.
2. No Risk of Injury:
Let’s be honest, besides the pain and inconvenience, injury from a ladder fall is expensive. With a well-chosen professional gutter guard, there will be no reason to get on a ladder to clean your gutters ever again.
Gutter Screens vs Gutter Guards
In our 24 years in this industry and of protecting Kansas City homeowners, gutter screens have proven to be a cheap, quick-fix that typically create more problems than they solve. Don’t believe us? The dumpsters behind our building are full of failed screens people needed us to remove for a more lasting solution. Just call us and ask for a picture. We’ll send it to you.
Solid gutter guards have a larger initial investment. However, they are a long-term solution that address big picture concerns. Gutter guards are for long-term homeowners that put priority on low-maintenance, and home-health.
The reality is, gutter screens are what most people install before they decide to get gutter guards. They are the most well-known, grab-and-go solution. However, now you know there is a better, more long lasting solution.
Our advice? First money is better than second money. Skip the common first mistake and learn from the experience of others. Get a solid gutter guard instead of a gutter screen.
Gutter Cover KC’s Additional Resources:
For more information on each type of debris, or issues 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 details.
See the “Best Gutter Guards For Oak Tassels” article for more details.
See the “Best Gutter Guards For Heavy Rain” article for more information.
See the “Best Gutter Guards For Helicopters” article for more information.
See the “Best Gutter Guards For Gutter Clogs” article for more information.
