Gutters have but one job to do: usher away the rainwater that falls on your roof. They work together with the downspouts that when clear whoosh the water far enough from the house to prevent pools of water from forming at the foundation. It’s easy to see that if these gutter system components are not kept clear of leaves, pine needles, shingle grit, bird droppings, and other debris, they will become next to useless since water will not only accumulate but cascade over the gutter like a waterfall. Failure to maintain and gutters can cause myriad problems from mildewed moldy ceilings to foundation problems and leaky basements.

Autumn Leaves vs Roof Gutters

Even the most passionate lovers of fall with its vibrant pallet of radiant leaves have to admit that once these beauties let go of their grip on trees, clearing them out of the roof gutter is a dreaded annual chore waiting to be done. And the longer they sit there the more friends gather to join them. Some homeowners bite the bullet, drag the ladder out of the basement and climb up to clear them either by hand or with a leaf blower. But no matter how careful they may be, they’re inviting injury. The CDC reports that each year hospitals treat more than 500,000 injuries incurred in ladder falls and an unfortunate 300 people lose their lives.

Seeking a Safer Solution to Gutter Clearing 

Whether fearful of falls or of the mold, bacteria, and other disease-causing organisms that build up on rain-soaked leaves, more and more homeowners are seeking a hands-off solution. Years ago, their only choice was to install gutter screens to cover their gutters, but then another solution was developed: gutter filters. So now the question is gutter screens vs gutter filters — both get the job done, but which one does it better?

Gutter Screens

Both gutter screens and gutter filters are do-it-yourself (DIY) jobs. Gutter screens are commonly made of either metal or plastic, and they fit over the gutter. The problem with gutter screens is that their surface openings are often large enough to permit leaf bits, pine needles, and other debris to fall through.

Gutter Filters

Whether made of micro-mesh, foam, or brush, gutter filters fit inside the gutter and trap debris. The problem is if they are not cleared when filled, the accumulating leaf materials become saturated and become a breeding ground for mold and mildew. In addition, the added weight can cause the gutter to separate from the roof and fall to the ground. Homeowners who are less than impressed by either of these options look into yet another solution — a complete closed-top seamless gutter system that defies clogs.

Gutter Systems

Basic Gutter Systems

Gutter systems come in various iterations, materials, and colors:

• Gutters may be k-style with flat backs and bottoms, and decoratively shaped curved facades. Others are nothing more than half tubes. Either type may be made of aluminum, copper, steel, zinc, or vinyl.
• Downspouts which are just what their name says are rectangular in shape and most measure either 2 inches by 3 inches or 3 inches by four.

The size and number of downspouts needed to depend on the capacity of the system, basically one every 40 to 50 feet of gutter.

Premium Gutter Systems

And then there are premium gutter systems, like the K-Guard Gutter System. While most gutter systems require gutters to be mounted to either the fascias or the roof, which puts them in danger of sagging or completely separating from the house, this seamless gutter system is mounted higher up, above the point of water flow. Another distinction is the greater number of attachment points — at each downspout as well as points in between. This effectively increases the amount of water flowing through the oversized gutters allowing for a faster freer flow.

But the defining feature of this premium seamless gutter system is the curved hood that encourages leaves and debris to roll off it, unlike basic open-top gutter systems that invite them in to fill and clog the flat-bottom gutter and downspout. And isn’t that what you want in a gutter system.