Chicago Roofers Chicago, IL

Weighing the pros and cons of gutter guards and hoods

Gutter guards and hoods are essentially designed to act as a filter over your gutters in an attempt to block debris from entering without inhibiting the gutter's ability to draw water away from the roof.

Although gutter guards and hoods are often advertised as a cure-all solution to cleaning your gutters, many models may only be effective in blocking out larger debris, whereas smaller debris may be able to enter the gutters despite the shield.

Although your gutters tend to require more frequent cleanings during the fall, the spring can also call for cleanings, since this time of year brings on debris such as seed pods, flower petals, buds, and small leaves. When shopping for a gutter guard, you should choose one with small holes in it that will still allow water to pass through while blocking the entrance of small debris. Look specifically for products made from vinyl with small diamond-shaped holes for the best results.

The cost of gutter guards and hoods will depend on the length and the amount of guards you need to purchase. Gutter guards and hoods cost between $6 and $7.50 per lineal foot installed. Considering that the average home has about 200 feet of gutter, homeowners should expect to pay about $1,500 for professional gutter guard installation.

This may seem like a big investment initially, but it can save you money by removing the necessity for professional cleaning. If you are used to cleaning the gutters on your own, it can save you extra time and effort that you would normally spend. For homeowners in the Windy City, contacting a highly rated roofer can help get your gutters clean.

Although having gutter guards and hoods dramatically reduces the number of times you will have to clean out your gutters, it doesn't necessarily mean that you are home free. Experts recommend cleaning your gutters at least once every two years, even with gutter guards and hoods installed.

Since a thorough cleaning will require removing the guards, you will want to choose hoods that are both easy to remove and easy to replace for the utmost efficacy.

Overall, the process of finding the perfect gutter guards and hoods will require a bit of searching and a pretty substantial investment; however, the right choice of gutter guards will result in effective prevention of gutter build-up and less frequent cleanings. Before deciding to buy, consult a highly rated roofer.

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