LeafFilter Gutter Guard Review

There are few things more frustrating — and potentially dangerous — for a homeowner than cleaning out the gutters. Anything that might make it easier is always welcome. That’s where gutter guards come in. One of the best options is LeafFilter, a gutter protection brand that promises to keep your gutters free of leaves and other debris. This allows for free-flowing water through the gutter, which in turn can help protect your home.

This review looks at the pros and cons of LeafFilter, what you should expect from installation and the product itself, and the bottom line cost for the gutter guards. Here’s what homeowners need to know.

Overview of LeafFilter

LeafFilter Gutter Protection was launched in 2005 as a small business and quickly grew to one of the largest gutter guard companies in the nation. Today, it has served over 1.5 million customers. The company has also created other home improvement areas, including Leaf Home Water Solutions and Leaf Home Safety Solutions.

LeafFilter’s flagship product is the micro-mesh gutter guards with a patented, three-piece design. These three parts consist of:

• The stainless steel micro-mesh. This is a surgical-grade micro-mesh screen. It filters out pieces as small as 275 microns, which works well to keep even fine shingle particles from landing inside the gutter. This layer doesn’t rust or corrode, thus contributing to longevity.
• The uPVC frame. This is a plastic frame, but it’s designed to never warp or fall victim to the elements. This frame supports the micro-mesh layer and prevents it from bending or breaking under the pressure of even torrential downpours.
• The structural hangers. These are metal struts that fasten onto your gutter system and provide strength to handle any debris that might build up on top of the gutter guards. These hangers help guarantee the structural integrity of the entire system.

How It Works

As water passes over the gutter guard, the surface tension draws the water through the micro-mesh screen but doesn’t let the debris inside. As a result, the water pours through the gutters and down the spout just as the original construction intended; the debris, leaves, and pests that might normally be right at home in the gutters fall away from the house, thanks to the 11-degree pitch of the gutter assembly.

This means your gutters stay clean. No more getting up on a ladder to clean them out!

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Pros and Cons of LeafFilter

As with any other gutter guard company, there are some advantages and disadvantages to know about. Here’s what to expect from LeafFilter.

Pros of LeafFiler

• The mesh screens filter out all debris, vegetation, and pests so water can run through the gutters unimpeded.
• Saves you the time, hassle, and potential danger of cleaning out the gutters yourself.
• Your quoted price is locked in for one year, giving you plenty of time to make a decision.
• Prevents clogs, which can help you avoid water damage to your home.

Cons of LeafFilter

• Currently available in 47 states.
• Pricing is available only through a home evaluation.
• The price can be higher than that of the competitors.

How Much Does LeafFilter Cost?

LeafFIlter doesn’t offer pricing online or over the phone. You must instead have an on-site inspection to determine the exact quote. A professional contractor does this inspection on behalf of the company, and the quote you receive is good for one year after the date of inspection.

LeafFilter cost can be more expensive than competing brands. Expect to pay between $3,000 and $8,000 for the materials and installation — your true cost of gutter guards depends upon the size of your home, how many linear feet of gutters you have, and if you need new gutters to make LeafFilter work well for you. That breaks down to an average of $4,300, or about $25–$42 per linear foot.

To put that in perspective, the cost of gutter maintenance runs about $150 annually for a one-story home with typical gutters and no surprises. This includes hiring someone to climb onto a ladder and clean out the gutters using hand tools. If you do it yourself, you will have a one-time cost for the ladder and smaller costs for a good pair of outdoor, water-resistant gloves or cleaning supplies.

Though LeafFilter is the more expensive option, consider that going to the emergency room after falling from a slippery ladder can cost much more!

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How Does LeafFilter Compare to Competitors?

There are some key players in the gutter protection market, including Raptor and A-M Gutter Guard. Let’s look at LeafFilter and how they compare to the competition.

Among the gutter guard brands, only the Raptor provides a stainless steel micro-mesh guard that is comparable to that of LeafFilter. The biggest difference is that Raptor provides homeowners with the opportunity for DIY installation, while LeafFilter must be installed by a professional approved by the company. Raptor also provides only a 25-year warranty, while LeafFilter provides service and protection for much longer than that.

What Is LeafFilter’s Warranty?

LeafFilter offers a lifetime warranty. If your LeafFilter guards fail and as a result, your gutters clog or your home is damaged by water from a gutter clog, the company will either repair the problem or refund your full purchase price.

The warranty is valid for the life of the home and can be transferred to the next homeowner as well; be sure to talk with your LeafFilter representative about any warranty limitations that might apply to your home.

Homeowner Considerations

There are some factors to consider when choosing LeafFilter. Keep in mind that when the company representative comes to your home for an inspection and quote, they will look for a few key things:

• The condition of your gutters: If they are in good shape, you’re in business! But if not, there could be an extra cost for the company to clean, realign, or even replace your gutters and downspouts. This might be necessary to keep the warranty in place.
• Shape and pitch of the roof: Higher gutters are more dangerous to work with, and so are numerous corners and turns in your gutter system. The pitch of the roof can also mean you need a larger gutter, which can take more materials and, thus, cost more for installation.
• Obstacles to installation: Installing the LeafFilter materials can be more difficult if there are overhanging trees, several stories to the home, or other obstacles that add time and complexity to the work.

While some other companies will only do installations during the warmer months, you don’t have to worry about that with LeafFilter. They will install the materials year-round, even when snow is on the ground — but it might take a bit more time and effort to install when the conditions aren’t ideal, which can mean a slightly higher price for labor.

Is LeafFilter Right for Me?

If you’re tired of cleaning out your gutters or hiring a professional to do it for you, choosing LeafFilter might make your life much easier. Customer reviews report many satisfied homeowners and that the company lives up to its warranty if things go wrong. Though the cost is higher than that of the competitors, the stability and durability of the three-part design provide significant peace of mind.  When you’re ready to figure out how to avoid cleaning out the gutters ever again, LeafFilter might be the right option for you.

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