Each spring, homeowners typically find themselves facing gutters filled with leaves, maple “helicopters,” and other debris. Some may consider adding gutter guards to eliminate going up on a ladder to clear out the mess. But, are gutter guards a good investment?

One consideration is the kind of guards you install. Don’t try covering your gutters with wire mesh (which will corrode) or flimsy plastic mesh (which will end up dropping into the gutter). If you are going to install gutter guards, it’s better to use something made for that purpose. There are many types of gutter coverings, all promising to end clogged gutters forever. They are generally made of aluminum or plastic; neither material will rust, but aluminum can corrode. Corrugated types, usually made of metal, can hold leaves on top of the guard, while plastic models tend to shed better.

A second consideration is what the guards will really accomplish. Almost all gutter guards will keep leaves out of your gutters, but other types of debris can cause problems. For example, small granules from asphalt shingles are commonly washed into gutters when it rains, and certain styles of coverings can allow smaller bits of organic matter through the openings. Even with gutter guards, you’ll still need to check and clean your gutters – just not so frequently – and that can be difficult. Some styles of gutter coverings are screwed in place or otherwise permanently attached, making it nearly impossible to use a hose to wash out the gutter channel without removing the covers. On the other hand, guards that snap into place can be “unsnapped” when you need to do routine maintenance. With some companies, you will need to hire them to remove the guards to access the gutters, do the cleaning for you, and then reattach the guards once again.

A third consideration is price. Most gutter guards designed for that purpose are relatively expensive. In many cases, the cost of hiring someone to clean your gutters once or twice a year may be less than the price of adding gutter guards.

So, when you’re considering covering your gutter, don’t just consider the price – check out the style of gutter guard being proposed. Whether you are doing the work yourself or contracting the installation, ask what the covering will be made of, how it will be attached, and how you can get access to the gutter channel when necessary.