Why Standard Leaf Guards Over Micro-Mesh Leaf Guards?

Chances are you have seen the TV ads for micro-mesh style gutter guards. Are they good as advertised? We have tested them – continue reading to find out.

Micro-mesh gutter guards have a very fine mesh covering compared to most other styles of leaf guards. We use the term leaf guards and gutter guards interchangeably. The wired mesh is made of stainless steel and the back side of the leaf guard (closest to home) is supported by the internal gutter hangers that are used to attach the gutter to your home. The only fasteners used are on the front lip of the gutter. These are designed to be installed with a slight pitch away from your home to limit the amount of debris that collects on top.

Here is why these are not ideal for your home or business:

-The fine mesh is too restrictive. In heavy rains, water will bypass the gutter, rendering the gutter nearly useless. 

-The stainless steel mesh can and will rust/corrode over time. That will eventually result in holes allowing debris to enter your gutters. 

-The cost of micro-mesh leaf guards is nearly 3 times that of the Shur Flo leaf guards we recommend to most of our customers. The value for the money is not there.

-Mirco-mesh gutter guard require special clip-on gutter hangers to support the backside. Many homes do not have fascia, chime board, or drip edge that can work with these hangers and still maintain the pitch of the gutter to ensure proper water flow.

-Another issue with the clip-on gutter hangers are that most homes do not have perfect roofing systems that allow the micro-mesh to be pitched correctly. The clip on style hangers cannot be installed higher or lower on the back of the gutter to accommodate proper pitching of micro-mesh leaf guard. 

Now let’s look at Shur Flo aluminum mesh leaf guards. These leaf guards are all aluminum and have a larger mesh to allow more water to flow into the gutter while still keeping debris out. They are also designed to be pitched away from your home to avoid collection of debris.  These leaf guards are fastened on the lip of the gutter and on the backside of the guard. They do not rest on top of the gutter hangers.

This is why this kind of leaf guard is better for your home or business:

-The cost is almost one third that of micro-mesh guards.

-The aluminum construction will not rust/corrode over time. 

-The hangers used during installation of the gutter can be adjusted up or down to accommodate proper installation of the gutter and works on any home – even those without perfect roofing systems.

-The Shur Flo leaf guards are fastened both on the front lip of the gutter and on the backside of the guard to ensure they don’t go anywhere. This also allows the guard to be pitched properly as the back side of the guard can be adjusted either up or down.

In conclusion, there are many factors to consider when choosing leaf guards for your home. Given the tests we have done on both types of guards, we do not recommend micro-mesh leaf guards. Shur Flo and similar leaf guards not have a better value to cost ratio, they simply work. We always emphasize to our customers one major point when it comes to any type of leaf guard – none are maintenance free. Leaves will collect on tops of any kind of leaf guard and will occasionally need to be blown off. Thanks for reading and we look forward to helping you decide all of your gutter needs.