Gutter Helmet vs. Leaf Guard?

[St_Croix_Banks]

He guys-

Had both companies out to bid and wondered if anyone had any experience with either. I read a few comments from happy Leaf Guard customers when I searched but nothing on Gutter Helmet. The are both pretty comparable in price, not sure I like the way Gutter Helmet installs over 1st shingle and under the 2nd. But that may have advantages too with shingle wear on the 1st row. But I have a brand new roof and don't really want to mess with it.

Thoughts?

[BartmanMN]

I am friends with the Lindus family who run Leaf Guard out of the Wisconsin, Eastern MN side of the region. They are great. I am also friends with the people that run Leaf Guard out of Des Moines and in Oklahoma, so I am partial to Leaf Guard.

They'll do it right for you.

[BoxMN]

My Mom ended up with Lindus Leaf Guard, and she is very happy. Still less than a year with it, so can't really say much yet. They were able to reuse her large (and pretty new) downspouts so that save her lots of ca$h.

If I was doing mine I think I would probably go with them as well.

[eyeguy 54]

Leaf guard in my opinion. I have dealt with both.

[Kettle]

Check into the foam inserts for your gutters, cheap and the keep everything out including pine needles. They come in 3 foot sections, better than the screens or gutter helmet. Leaf guard is super nice stuff but for effectiveness and price the foam is good

[IcePro]

In regards to the foam inserts....

1. How do you stop the cotton wood seeds from germinating in them? Since the seeds are so small won't they collect in the foam?

2. How are they in the winter when they freeze?

[echotrail]

I've had the leaf guard gutters on our home for over 10 yrs. No complaints at all. I'd clean out silver maple seeds and pine needles 3 times a year before they were installed. I haven't done it once since.

[Kettle]

Ice pro,

I only had oak and some pines by my house. In regards to the winter I did pull them since they were only 3 foot sections. Yes a pain but I did not have the money for gutter helmet.

Kettle

[St_Croix_Banks]

Foam inserts not an viable option IMO. I know LG is nice, and with a 4/12 pitch on my roof I'm don't think I need to be concerned with water running over them during heavy rains. I'm surprised no one has chimed in on Gutter Helmet---they've been in business for 30 years.

[Kettle]

I installed quite a bit of gutter helmet in my previous career, I think they were three foot sections as well, if you have someone instal the standard 5" K style gutters you could do the gutter helmet yourself with zip screws and a cordless drill. If you cannot see anytops of your gutters from a hill or a window you could go with white which is also cheaper. Some people bend their own gutter guard per-say out of standard 30" alum coil and a break. Overall it is a matter of personal preference as well as cost as well as the time to do some of it yourself. Good luck with the projecct

Kettle

[PurpleFloyd]

In regards to the foam inserts....

1. How do you stop the cotton wood seeds from germinating in them? Since the seeds are so small won't they collect in the foam?

[crothmeier]

Look into Leaf-X. They come in 4' panels and are easy to install.

[dougger222]

I do ice dam steaming and found gutter helmet covers are really good for business. Leaf gaurd is bad for business as they try to take roofs from me.

There are better and much less expensive options out there that you or a gutter guy can put on.

Oh, ive seen the helmet covers screwed into shingles and if I touch them it voids the warranty. Oh, and as far as warranty the smallest hail will void the warranty.

[delcecchi]

My gutter guy put screen over the gutter. Seems to work fine with the big downspouts, although the maple seeds sticking up from the screen look funny. One they break off and fall through they wash down the downspouts.

[St_Croix_Banks]

ordered leafguard---i'll let you know how it goes. Thanks.

[badfisherman]

IMO lead guard is the biggest waste of money there is. I still can't believe people will pay $30 a foot for gutters. Goes to show what good advertising can do. Any gutter guy can get you gutters installed with really good leaf protection for less than half the price. Some for around 1/3rd the cost. They will do just as good of a job. And you can rest easy knowing someone didn't make 80% profit on your hard earned $$$. I've seen people spend $10,000 on gutters. It makes me sick!

Just my opinion!

[dougger222]

I steamed an ice dam for a guy last year who dropped $25,000 on gutters. Copper and he was very happy with the price! Ive also steamed roofs with copper gutters with copper gutter screens. These make gutter helmet seem like a bargain!

$20/ft for leaf guard, $4.25-8ft for aluminum 5in k style, $25ft for gutter helmet screens. Had a customer show me an invoice for gutter helmet screens a few years ago $6k, average size home. Worked a large sfd claim $9k leaf guard w spouts. The cheap screens work fine too...