The material of the gutter covers you choose to have installed is just as important as the style of gutter guard you choose. Because your gutter guards will be exposed to the elements for the entirety of their lifespan, they should be able to hold up through varying weather conditions.
There are several different styles of gutter covers from screen to micro-mesh as well as many different materials. Today we’re going to explain the different gutter cover materials that are available on the market as well as some pros and cons so you can make an informed decision as to which one would be best for your home.
Aluminum
Aluminum is one of the most popular choices for gutter cover materials among homeowners. Much like the actual gutter material, aluminum gutter covers resist rust and corrosion if they’re finished with quality paint, unlike other metals. Aluminum gutter covers are also relatively low cost, often less expensive than other materials.
Although they’re low cost, they can rust and corrode if the paint isn’t high quality. Weather conditions like heavy rain, freezing rain, snow, and hail can wreak havoc on many gutter cover materials, especially aluminum gutter covers if they’re not covered in quality paint. Thunderstorms that produce hail—small penny-sized or large golfball-sized hail—and weather patterns that bring a lot of precipitation can cause severe damage to your entire gutter system, especially the gutter cover. If the gutter cover has a low-grade paint then that paint will most likely chip over time, exposing the aluminum underneath, ultimately causing dents and even sagging.
Steel
Some homeowners choose to install stainless steel mesh gutter covers due to the durability that stainless steel offers. If the steel does not have a protective coating then it will inevitably rust over time. As long as the gutter cover material you purchase is stainless steel then it will resist corrosion and will last decades.
Steel is very durable and can resist high wind speeds and damage caused by hail, however, if you choose to install galvanized steel gutter covers then the protective layer will eventually wear off, exposing the metal to all sorts of weather conditions which can rust. Stainless steel will hold up to the elements much better than galvanized steel.
Steel gutter covers are on the pricey side, often costing more than other gutter cover materials. Be sure to purchase and install steel gutter covers that are stainless or expect to replace them quickly if you choose to install galvanized steel gutter covers due to the rusting of the metal.
Plastic
Plastic gutter covers are the most affordable, however, in this case, you do get what you pay for. While plastic gutter covers offer advantages like affordability and ease of installation, they do have some disadvantages. While they will offer some protection from debris and pests, the plastic material will not age well, especially if installed in an area that has extreme weather conditions.
Living in Aurora, Denver, or the surrounding cities, means we experience those typical Colorado winters. Our extremely cold winters that produce many inches and even feet of snow can wreak havoc on many gutter systems, especially plastic gutter covers. Over time the plastic will crack, allowing debris to enter the gutters and causing clogs. Colorado and plastic gutter covers aren’t a good combination due to our frigid winter temperatures and higher-than-average precipitation.
Which Gutter Cover Material is Best for My Home?
All of the gutter cover materials listed above offer advantages and disadvantages regardless of which one you choose. Aluminum, steel, and plastic gutter covers are all easily available and can be installed by many different gutter installation companies in Colorado. The best option for your home, however, is to install the complete K-Guard System.
Most gutter covers are placed directly over an existing gutter system and have small openings that block larger debris like leaves and twigs from entering the gutter system. The problem with this, however, is that these tiny openings don’t block all debris from entering the gutter system so the chance for clogs is not eliminated.
The K-Guard system is different. Our gutter product is a full system, meaning it contains many parts that work together to protect your home from drainage issues. Our curved hood completely covers the gutter, leaving nothing exposed and eliminating the possibility for debris to enter the system. Other gutter covers don’t offer this, often trapping and allowing small debris like seeds to still enter the gutter system creating clogs and impeding water flow over time.
The K-Guard System protects your home unlike any other gutter cover system and is maintenance-free, meaning you will never have to clean your gutters or remove debris that collects on the top of the gutter guard. K-Guard is also manufactured from heavy-duty aluminum that resists all weather conditions. Our high-quality paint will never chip and our gutter guards will never corrode or rust, guaranteed.
To install the K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System, contact our team of professionals today. K-Guard Rocky Mountains is the premiere gutter company in Colorado, providing a leaf-free gutter solution for homeowners for many years. We proudly install the K-Guard Gutter System across the state of Colorado including, but not limited to, the following locations:
- Denver
- Colorado Springs
- Littleton
- Centennial
- Aurora
- Boulder
- Castle Rock
- Broomfield
- Fort Collins
- & so much more!
Schedule your free estimate today!
