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Installing micro-mesh gutter guards can help you avoid the seasonal challenges of keeping your gutters clean, whether it’s falling leaves filling gutters, debris blocking gutters during spring showers, or wasps and other insects building summer homes in them. Prevent all these situations—and the need to climb ladders to check and clean gutters— with micro-mesh gutter guards. These gutter screens allow water to flow through gutters while keeping debris from settling into the gutters.
Gutter guards can make home maintenance easier while preventing some problems before they even start. To help you select the best micro-mesh gutter guards for your home, we researched and tested five products. We especially like the Superior Raised Stainless Steel Gutter Guard for its heavy-duty construction, effectiveness in preventing debris of all sizes, and its ease of cleaning. All of the products on the list were tested in our search for the best micro-mesh gutter guards.
- BEST OVERALL: Superior Raised Stainless Steel Gutter Guard
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Amerimax Snap-In Filter Gutter Guard
↓ Jump to Review - MOST DURABLE: Raptor Stainless Steel Micro-Mesh Gutter Guard
↓ Jump to Review - BEST EASY-TO-CLEAN: Air Jade White-Coated Stainless Steel Gutter Guard
↓ Jump to Review - MOST VERSATILE: Waterlock Micro-Mesh 5-Inch Aluminum Gutter Guard
↓ Jump to Review
Our Top Picks
For help choosing the best micro-mesh gutter guards for your house, check out the following products. These represent some of the best micro-mesh gutter guards on the market, and each one is organized by category.
Best Overall
Superior Raised Stainless Steel Gutter Guard
Our Ratings: Installation 4/5; Performance 4.9/5; Ease of Cleaning 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Installation: Self-tapping screws
- Material: Stainless steel, aluminum
- Cost per linear foot: $2.52
What We Like
- Mesh keeps out even the smallest debris
- Sturdy construction
- Predrilled holes on 1 side
- Company-made installation videos
What We Don’t Like
- Predrilled holes on both sides are better for fascia mounting
- Bending/cutting might be challenging for some
Superior micro-mesh gutter guards consist of a fine mesh and sturdy aluminum side rails. Although it’s lightweight for installation purposes, we found this gutter guard to be durable enough to withstand heavy rainstorms and snowfall. The mesh is formed so it has multilevel channels to capture rainwater and prevent runoff during heavy storms. These channels can also assist in keeping the gutter guards clear when breezes dislodge debris lying on the guards.
Installation was easy. Each piece has three predrilled holes for the included screws, and several company-made installation videos were helpful to keep this job from being more complicated than it needed to be. Additionally, there was no need to miter the corners. We tried installing in two ways: under the shingles and attaching to the fascia. The under-the-shingle method was made even simpler by the predrilled holes. The fascia method definitely took more time as it was necessary to bend the rear rail at the proper angle and use additional screws. We found that after determining the proper angle bend for the first piece, each subsequent piece was easier.
It’s important to have a sharp pair of straight aviation snips on hand to cut the mesh; we tried a variety of other possible snips and found them all frustratingly ineffective. Although it isn’t required, sheet metal sealer pliers make bending rails for the fascia-mounting style much quicker.
Get the Superior micro-mesh gutter guards at Amazon.
Best Bang For The Buck
Amerimax Snap-In Filter Gutter Guard
Our Ratings: Installation 5/5; Performance 4/5; Ease of Cleaning 4.5/5; Durability 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Installation: Snap-in
- Material: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- Cost per linear foot: $1.49
What We Like
- Easy installation and removal for cleaning
- Affordable
- Debris seems to slide off PVC
What We Don’t Like
- Better suited to areas with mild winters
- Some runoff during heavy rainstorms
- Visible from street view
We found these Amerimax snap-in gutter guards easy enough for even the newest DIYer to install. When planning your job, take into consideration that you will be overlapping the pieces. This means if your gutter is 75 feet long, you will need more than 75 feet of gutter covering. At a price of $1.49 per linear foot, though, this gutter protection is affordable. The 3-inch overlap of each piece is worth it, too, as it makes the entire gutter guard as a whole more stable. We found we could even easily brush away debris on top of the guards with a broom.
With the fine mesh underlay, this is the ideal product for someone battling pine needles in their gutters. Although we found that debris was promptly dislodged from these guards, homeowners could take advantage of the ease of installation/removal to periodically take down a few pieces and clear out any tiny debris that may have reached the gutters. Although the gutter guards handled a light rain, we found there was some runoff during a heavy rainstorm. For this reason, we think this product would be best suited to areas with mild winters. Also, the color options (white or brown) make these guards more visible than some homeowners might prefer.
Get the Amerimax micro-mesh gutter guards at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Most Durable
Raptor Stainless Steel Micro-Mesh Gutter Guard
Our Ratings: Installation 4/5; Performance 5/5; Ease of Cleaning 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Installation: Self-tapping screws
- Material: Stainless steel, aluminum
- Cost per linear foot: $2.60
What We Like
- Mesh keeps out even the smallest debris
- Several mounting styles to suit multiple gutter sizes
- Easy to remove for maintenance
What We Don’t Like
- Tough to cut
This Raptor stainless steel gutter guard is a fine mesh that will deter even the smallest piece of debris, not to mention pesky critters from taking up residence in your gutters. It may be fine mesh, but it isn’t flimsy. A special V-Bend technology makes it rigid so it stands up to debris and weather without sagging.
Although the individual pieces are light and manageable 5-foot lengths, we still recommend this as a two-person job, simply to have another person on hand to help with the measuring and cutting that’s needed. We found that straight aviation snips were the best tool for the job, but even then the mesh was sometimes difficult to cut. Depending on your type of gutter and roof, there are several different methods for installation.
Self-tapping hex screws and the #2 Phillips screwdriver required are included, but the job will be easier with a power screw gun and aviation snips.
Get the Raptor micro-mesh gutter guards at Amazon.
Best Easy to Clean
Air Jade White-Coated Stainless Steel Gutter Guard
Our Ratings: Installation 5/5; Performance 4.9/5; Ease of Cleaning 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Installation: Self-drilling screws
- Material: Stainless steel
- Cost per linear foot: $2.74
What We Like
- Sturdy construction
- Debris seems to slide off
- Mesh keeps out even the smallest debris
- Not very visible from street
What We Don’t Like
- Small amount of rain runoff during heavy storms
We found installation of the Air Jade gutter guards easy and fast, and the minor clipping necessary to overlap the pieces was not difficult to do with aviation snips. For this product, it is not necessary to overlap pieces. As a test, we skipped the clipping and installed some so they were abutting each other, and we did not have any issues with sagging or movement. There are two options when installing: under the shingles and attaching to the fascia. We installed ours with the under-the-shingles method and found the guard was barely noticeable from the street view.
Designed to prevent all except the tiniest pieces of debris from reaching your gutters, the Air Jade is ideal for homes where gutters are often clogged by pesky pine needles. Although the gutter guards handled a light rain, we found there was minor runoff during a heavy rainstorm. With an epoxy-coating cover over the stainless steel mesh, these are designed to withstand all seasons without danger of rusting.
Get the Air Jade micro-mesh gutter guards at Amazon.
Most Versatile
Waterlock Micro-Mesh 5-Inch Aluminum Gutter Guard
Our Ratings: Installation: 3/5; Performance 4/5; Ease of Cleaning 5/5; Durability 4/5; Value 3.5/5
Product Specs
- Installation: Zip screws
- Material: Stainless steel, aluminum
- Cost per linear foot: $6.65
What We Like
- Blocks all types of debris, include asphalt shingle granules
- Tuck-in design requires very few screws
- Deep channels prevent water from splashing out
- 16 color options, 3 widths
What We Don’t Like
- Significantly more expensive than other options
Options, options, options! Not only does the Waterlock gutter guard come in 5-inch and 6-inch widths, but it also comes in 16 different color options (including copper) so you don’t have to be concerned about whether your gutter guard is visible. Matching the exposed rails of the gutter guard to your gutters or siding turns a maintenance product into a designer choice.
These gutter guards aren’t just about looks, though. They are an easy-to-install choice that manages to keep out just about all types of debris. After tucking one side under the shingles and snapping the other side to the front of the gutter, we only needed four or five screws per section to ensure it was firmly in place.
Waterlock guards have an interesting channel system under the mesh to capture rainwater and prevent any runoff during heavy storms. Not only does this feature make staining, mold, and mildew less likely, but it also gives the mesh an added layer of strength. We think that added strength will come in handy for homeowners facing the challenges of heavy snow, ice, and sleet during the winter season.
Keep in mind that these guards, which perform well and are easy to install, come with a comparable price tag. They are at the high range of those we tested at more than $6 per linear foot.
Get the Waterlock micro-mesh gutter guards at Amazon or Walmart.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose and Tested the Best Micro-Mesh Gutter Guards
When selecting the best micro-mesh gutter guards, we considered five different products. We took into account price per linear foot as well as ease of installation, considering any extra tools, equipment or skills that would be required. We also viewed manufacturer-produced installation videos to determine if they would be helpful to the average homeowner.
We observed the installed product before, during, and after rainstorms and recorded how long it took for fallen leaves to be dislodged from the leaf guards for gutters. We judged the product’s durability and how well we felt each product would withstand snowy winter conditions. When possible, guards were installed using various methods recommended by the manufacturer to learn if one method took more skill or was more effective. We also took into account customer reviews and manufacturer specs when choosing the best gutter guards.
What to Consider When Choosing Micro-Mesh Gutter Guards
Regular home maintenance can make a big difference in the condition and lifespan of your house. One of the most dreaded tasks is keeping your gutters clear of debris. Choosing the right gutter guard can make this maintenance much easier. Below are some factors to keep in mind when selecting a micro-mesh gutter guard.
Material
Because of their constant exposure to the elements, gutter guards must be able to withstand the weather. We found two types of micro-mesh gutter guards:
- Plastic: These gutter guards are made of heavy-duty plastic or PVC.
- Metal: These are made of some combination of aluminum and stainless steel. Some also include an epoxy coating to improve weather resistance.
These materials differ widely in price range and lifespan. It’s important to consider this as well as the extremes of weather in your area when selecting a gutter guard.
Installation
Some gutter guards are snap-in, which means they are quickly placed in gutters without any screws or other tools required. Although we found this version stayed in place, some customers have added screws for extra security. Other types of gutter guards are screwed in place. Depending on your roof and gutter type, these can be slid under the final row of roof shingles and screwed to the outer gutter edge or screwed to both the fascia and the outer gutter edge. Most versions will require some cutting with snips to fit to the length of your gutters and to meet effectively at corners and downspouts.
Although the individual pieces are light enough to be managed by one person, we recommend this as a two-person job as there will be ladder climbing involved.
Appearance
Most versions have minimal color choices. Plastic versions are often white, black, or brown, while metal versions are often white, black, or silver. Weatherlock is a notable exception, offering 16 different color options. Most gutter guards are tilted to the same angle as your roofline, making them somewhat visible from the street view, particularly for single-story houses. We found that the white versions seem to be more noticeable, whereas black and silver versions blend better into the shadows of the gutter.
FAQs
Adding gutter guards can be a big investment, so you may have some additional questions. The following section includes some of the most frequently asked questions about these products.
Plastic guards have a lifespan of 5 years, and aluminum and stainless steel gutter guards can last 15 or 20 years. Harsh winters or hurricanes may shorten the lifespan as opposed to those installed in more temperate climates.
Gutter guards can greatly reduce the amount of debris that ends up in your gutters. However, you’ll still want to monitor your gutters for any debris that gets through the guards. Once a year, in the late fall, check your gutters by removing a few gutter guards to see if any debris has collected. Often, it will only be tiny pieces of roof dirt that need brushing out.
You can clean your gutters and gutter guards at the same time, and usually only once or twice a year depending on your house’s situation. Debris can be removed from the gutter guards using a leaf blower or broom. You can also use a hose to spray them down, removing any grime that has collected and ensuring that your gutters are draining well. This is also a good time to look over your gutter guards and determine if any need to be replaced or reinstalled.
No, you can avoid the cost of installing new gutters and add your gutter guards to old gutters, provided they’re in the best possible shape first. Before installation, clean gutters, check that downspouts are clear, ensure gutters are firmly attached, and address any leaks in the gutters.
Meet the Testers
Tony Carrick is a freelance writer specializing in home improvement, landscaping, technology, home security, and design. Carrick has conducted rigorous product testing on everything from power tools to home security systems to backyard grills. With each review, his goal is to help readers determine whether a product meets their needs and if it is or isn’t worth its price tag.
Jodi Webb is a DIYer who tests products with her contractor husband so readers get the advantages of an expert’s and a DIYer’s viewpoint. Despite her dislike of 12-foot ladders, Jodi agreed to install gutter guards and was amazed by how easy installation actually was.