LeafFilter is one of the premier professionally installed gutter guard brands on the market, so it’s not surprising that its price is substantially higher than most products available for DIY installation.
Coming in at $15 to $45 per linear foot, the total price for a professionally installed LeafFilter gutter guard system will depend on several variables. Here’s a look at how your home’s specifics will influence the price and what you can do to help control costs.
Key takeaways
LeafFilter gutter guards cost between $15 and $45 per linear foot.
LeafFilter has a limited lifetime warranty that will replace or refund your entire system if it clogs and overflows.
LeafFilter gutter guards can last 20 years or more.
What is LeafFilter, and how does it work?
LeafFilter is a brand name for a patented gutter guard system that incorporates micro-mesh screening into a three-piece design. The system keeps debris from entering your home’s gutters while maximizing water flow into and through them.
Its three-piece design also features structural hangers that fasten directly to your home’s fascia and support the gutters and the guard system. The other piece of the system is an uPVC material that adds slope to the guards and acts as a framework to support the micro-mesh portion.
After installation, the company offers a limited lifetime warranty, transferable to the next homeowner. The warranty protects against gutter clogging to the point of overflow and promises a 100% refund or replacement. LeafFilter gutter guards are available only through a LeafFilter representative — and professional installation is the only option for getting the system.
How much does LeafFilter cost?
Tyler Hull, a professional roofer and home exterior contractor at Modern Exterior in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, confirmed our findings that LeafFilter pricing is generally more expensive than other gutter guard options, calling the system more sophisticated.
“Prices can range from around $2 to as much as $35 per linear foot for most general gutter guard protection systems; LeafFilter is one of the most sophisticated products on the market today, requiring special tools for installation, and the average cost of the material and installation is between $15 to $45 per linear foot,” he said.
|
Cost range per linear foot (installed)
|
|
|---|---|
| LeafFilter | $15 - $45 |
| Foam or brush | $3 - $8.50 |
| Mesh or screen | $2.50 - $12 |
| Reverse curve | $20 - $43 |
What factors affect LeafFilter cost?
Just as with the installation cost of any gutter guard system, LeafFilter costs vary based on multiple conditions or details — generally those that affect the amount of time and effort necessary for the installation to be performed. Here are the most significant considerations.
Gutter length and material
The primary cost factor related to LeafFilter installation is the material needed based on the length of gutters requiring protection. A typical home’s gutter length is approximately equal to 10% of its square footage. For example, a 1,500-square-foot house will likely contain roughly 150 linear feet of gutters. Larger homes require more material to install the system, which equals a higher project price.
Gutter accessibility
Gutter accessibility refers to how easy or difficult it is for the installation crew to reach the gutters that need protection. An easy accessibility situation may include the home being a single-story dwelling with a flat yard and few obstructions for ladder placements.
On the other hand, a particularly challenging situation could be a structure with gutters on the second or third story of a home with severely sloping landscaping or heavy tree cover near the house. The more difficult and time-consuming it is to reach the roof and gutters, the higher your pricing estimate will be.
Existing gutter condition
Your existing gutters must be in decent working condition for a LeafFilter gutter guard system to be installed. LeafFilter offers gutter repairs and replacements if necessary. However, any added gutter installation or repair prices will increase the cost of the completed project.
Installation type (full vs. partial)
Your home may not require gutter guard installation on the entire gutter system. In many cases, a home’s build-up of gutter debris may occur only on one side of the home or in only one gutter section. This scenario can happen in homes with trees on just one side of the house. In such a situation, and depending on how the gutter system is laid out, you can get by with installing LeafFilter guards on just part of the system.
Roof shape and pitch
The steepness, or pitch, of your roof can affect the cost of LeafFilter gutter guard installation. Steeper roofs are more challenging to work from and can slow down the project, increasing costs.
Additionally, your roof’s shape can also impact pricing. More specifically, the issue is the frequent stopping and starting of the gutter system. Complex roof shapes often contain more and shorter gutter sections. Because this situation can generate a lot of extra cutting and fitting, it can drive up the cost of LeafFilter installation.
Labor
Labor charges are unavoidable when installing LeafFilter gutter guards because DIY installation is unavailable. A LeafFilter installer must install the system and may also provide gutter repairs or replacements. The labor cost is included in your custom estimate and will depend heavily on other pricing factors in this list.
How do I save on LeafFilter installation?
Not only are several pricing factors involved when LeafFilter estimates the cost of your project, but there are also multiple ways to manage or reduce the overall price.
Clean your gutters first
This strategy won’t save you any money on the system itself, but it may help you avoid unexpected costs on installation day. Cleaning your gutters before your LeafFilter representative stops by to inspect them and provide a quote can allow the rep to easily see where repairs or extra work may be necessary to facilitate the gutter guard installation. Having this information during the inspection can help provide accurate pricing with no surprises.
Install during offseason
Scheduling your LeafFilter installation for a time of year when the installers aren’t typically overwhelmed with work can lead to a lower overall project price. In some cases, you may be able to receive or negotiate a discounted price if you can wait until deep winter or summer — depending on the climate in your region — when business is slower.
Negotiate your price
Sources report that some LeafFilter sales representatives may be open to price negotiations. If you’re looking to fit a budget or the quoted price seems too high, it might be worth mentioning your concerns to the representative and asking for a better deal.
Check for discounts
LeafFilter offers 10% discounts for military personnel, veterans and older adults. Take advantage of those discounts if you fit one of the categories. Additionally, an internet search for LeafFilter deals often returns sponsored links advertising seasonal discounts or limited-time offers.
Do a partial installation
If you’re trying to fit your LeafFilter installation into a tight budget, consider protecting only part of your gutter system. Often, a house only needs guards for some gutter sections. Additionally, you could install some now and some later or skip protecting parts that need infrequent cleaning. You can maintain them as you otherwise would while enjoying the extra protection on the rest of the system.
Consider financing
LeafFilter offers qualified applicants 0% financing for 12 months. While that offer doesn’t reduce the invoice total, it can save you more money than other financing options with higher interest rates.
Are LeafFilter gutter guards worth it?
There’s no escaping the fact that LeafFilter gutter guards are more expensive than many other options for similar products. The question then becomes whether or not the added expense is worth it. Here’s what I’ve learned about LeafFilter to help you decide.
Pros
- LeafFilter scores well with customers. It has a 4.4-star average rating on Trustpilot and just under 4 stars at the Better Business Bureau.* It seems most of the company’s customers are happy with their LeafFilter purchase.
- LeafFilter offers a substantial warranty, backing up claims suggesting a gutter-maintenance-free future.
Cons
- LeafFilter gutter guard systems aren’t the most expensive on the market but aren’t the least costly.
- The company offers financing. However, it limits the payment term to 12 months, which may be too short to lower payments enough for some budgets.
Overall, LeafFilter provides a good product with fair, but not bargain, pricing. For avid DIYers, there are several off-the-shelf systems that you can install for less. The challenges are skillfully installing a high-quality system yourself and identifying an alternative micro-mesh product that’s on par with LeafFilter’s performance. If you’re confident you can accomplish those two tasks, trying to justify LeafFilter’s price for your home could fall flat.
On the other hand, if you’re not into the DIY scene or wish to avoid the dangers involved with climbing a ladder — or if you never want to clean your gutters or pay to have them cleaned — spending a bit more for LeafFilter’s product and accompanying warranty is likely worth the investment.
*BBB and Trustpilot ratings are accurate as of October 2024.
Bottom line
LeafFilter offers a uniquely designed gutter guard system that, according to the data, performs well and leaves most customers happy with their purchase. However, LeafFilter, while not the most costly system, does feature premium pricing. With the high price comes a lifetime warranty against clogged gutters and the promise that your gutter-cleaning days will be over.
Pricing for the company’s product varies based on numerous factors. That said, there are plenty of opportunities to save cash on the project. DIY enthusiasts may look for a less expensive alternative to protect their gutter systems. However, for those not inclined to get onto their roofs, there is a solid argument for this product being worth the price.
