LeafGuard and LeafFilter represent two of the most trusted and well-regarded brands in the gutter guard industry. The companies have decades of experience, boast excellent customer reviews and back up their products with solid warranties.
But while they carry similar reputations, their products couldn’t be more different. While one uses a reverse-curve design and functions as an all-in-one gutter and gutter guard solution, the other uses a micromesh screen and ties to your existing gutters.
Learn more about the two gutter guard products these companies offer to determine which is right for your home.
Key takeaways
LeafFilter uses a micromesh gutter guard that fits on your existing gutters, best for homeowners whose gutters are in good condition.
LeafGuard is a total gutter and gutter guard solution that uses a reverse-curve design to replace your existing gutters.
Both companies have excellent reputations and longevity in the industry.
Differences between LeafGuard and LeafFilter?
These two gutter guards vary in their product design, length of time they’ve been in business and availability.
LeafFilter uses a micromesh gutter guard that fits on your existing gutters. LeafGuard has a one-piece, inverted curve guard that replaces your existing gutters.
Both companies have excellent reputations and longevity in the industry. LeafGuard has been installing gutter guards since 1993, and LeafFilter debuted its product in 2005.
LeafFilter is more widely available, serving 48 contiguous states, while LeafGuard services 36 states. The companies have comparable limited-lifetime warranties that can be transferred from owner to owner.
Fast Facts
|
LeafFilter
|
LeafGuard
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Gutter guard type | Micromesh |
Reverse-curve |
| BBB Score | A+ |
A+ |
| Price range | $15 - $45 |
$10 - $70 per linear foot |
| State availability | 48 states |
36 states |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime (transferable) |
Limited Lifetime (transferable) |
| Years in business | 19 years |
31 years |
LeafFilter at a glance
LeafFilter has a micromesh design that keeps tiny particles of debris from getting inside your gutters, and it has a solid lifetime warranty.
LeafFilter product specs
LeafFilter uses a three-piece design that consists of a stainless steel micro-mesh barrier held in place by a PVC vinyl frame. Metal hangers support the guards, preventing them from sagging or warping. Because the mesh is 275 microns fine, these guards prevent even minuscule debris, such as pollen and tiny grains shed from shingles, from passing through them.
“We find [micromesh] is the best material for gutter guards to prevent debris from entering and clogging gutters,” LeafFilter President Chris Counahan said. The guards have a built-in pitch that allows leaves, twigs and other materials to roll off the guards, preventing foreign materials from building up on top of them.
LeafFilter installation process
LeafFilter’s professional installer first removes existing gutter guards and assesses the condition of your gutters. Before installing the guards, LeafFilter cleans the gutters and makes any necessary repairs, including installing new gutters.
Once your gutters are in good shape, LeafFilter will install the new gutter guards, which include hidden hangers and micromesh guards. The turnaround time from quote to completion is quick. Said Counahan: “In 2023, a significant portion of our home improvement jobs were installed within six days of the homeowner’s appointment for an in-home estimate.”
LeafFilter cost
Like most gutter guard companies, LeafFilter doesn’t advertise prices on its website or give quotes over the phone. Instead, it offers potential customers free at-home estimates. However, our research found that you can expect to pay between $15 and $45 a linear foot for LeafFilter’s gutter guards.
“Many factors contribute to the price, including the shape and size of the home, condition of current gutters and removal of any previous gutter guard solutions — essentially the size and complexity of the project,” Counahan said.
LeafFilter offers 10% discounts to military personnel and seniors. Financing is available for all customers.
Pros and cons of LeafFilter
Pros
- Excellent debris-blocking capability
- Comes with a transferable limited lifetime warranty
- Widely available throughout the country
Cons
- Debris must be periodically brushed off
- Micromesh comes with a steep price tag
- Warranty has some limitations
LeafGuard at a glance
LeafGuard is a total gutter and gutter guard solution that uses a reverse-curve design to defend against leaves, twigs and other debris that can wreak havoc on gutters.
LeafGuard product specs
Unlike other gutter guard products that attach to a home’s existing gutters, LeafGuard replaces the existing gutters and downspouts.
Like other reverse-curve or gutter-helmet-style guards, LeafGuard harnesses the power of liquid adhesion — liquid’s tendency to stick to objects — to protect your gutters. The rigid guard ushers rainwater around its curved shape and into the gutter while repelling leaves and other debris.
The hardy guards are built from heavy-gauge aluminum coated in a ScratchGuard paint finish, designed to retain its color while resisting peeling and chipping.
LeafGuard installation process
LeafGuard installers remove your home’s existing gutters, then use a roll-forming machine to custom-fit your new gutters to your home. Like conventional gutters, LeafGuard gutters attach to the structure with hangers installed at 2-foot intervals. LeafGuard says it completes most installations in one day or less.
LeafGuard cost
LeafGuard also does not advertise prices on its website, instead providing quotes via a free in-home estimate. The cost of installing LeafGuard is based on the linear length of your gutters and the number of stories of your home. Because LeafGuard includes gutters and guards, you can expect to pay more than you would for regular gutter guards that affix to existing gutters. Prices for LeafGuard range from $10 to $70 per linear foot.
LeafGuard pros and cons
Pros
- Seamless one-piece system
- Heavy gauge aluminum construction
- Transferable lifetime warranty
Cons
- Visible design detracts from home’s aesthetics
- Must replace entire gutter
- Doesn’t stop smaller debris
Bottom line
While both LeafGuard and LeafFilter offer some of the highest-quality gutter guards available, their products bear little resemblance to each other. With LeafGuard, you get a complete gutter system that replaces your gutters. While this single-piece design gives LeafGuard an edge in durability and performance over mesh products that attach to existing gutters, it might be a tough sell for homeowners with existing gutters in good shape.
LeafFilter installs over existing gutters, making it a sound choice for homes with gutters in good condition. Thanks to its micromesh design, LeafFilter excels in blocking debris. Because debris can collect atop micromesh guards, LeafFilter may require more frequent brushing off than other gutter guard types.
Aesthetics also differ between these two products. Some homeowners may not like that LeafGuard’s inverted-curve design makes them visible from the ground. LeafFilter’s micromesh screens are invisible from ground level.
Anthony Lovila, the owner of All Valley Exterior Cleaning, a gutter and house washing business based in Anacortes, Washington, stressed that the best gutter guard choice depends on the house. “The type of guard that works in one state may not be effective in another due to varying environmental conditions,” he told us. “It’s crucial to consult with a professional to determine the best type of guard for your specific situation.”
