Gutter guards are worth it if your house sits under trees and your gutters overflow or fill up every fall. They are not worth it on gutters that are already sagging, leaking or near the end of their life. Fix or replace those first, then guard them.
This guide covers what guards cost, how the main types compare, and what we install on Northern Virginia houses.
What gutter guards cost
Price depends on the type, the length of your roofline, the height of the house and the shape of your gutters. Angi's national figures per linear foot, installed, give a fair sense of the spread:
| Type | Angi's range per linear foot |
|---|---|
| Screen | $1 to $2.50 |
| Foam insert | $1.50 to $3 |
| Mesh | $2 to $7 |
| Brush insert | $3 to $6 |
| Micro-mesh | $2 to $8.50 |
| Reverse curve (surface tension) | $3.50 to $7 |
Those are averages, not our quote. We give a written price for your house at the free inspection, after we measure the roofline and check the gutters the guards would sit on.
The five main types, and what they handle
- Screen. A wire or plastic screen over the gutter. Cheap, but large holes let small debris through, and the screen comes off for cleaning.
- Foam and brush inserts. They sit inside the gutter. Quick to fit, but foam breaks down after a few seasons, and Angi notes that pine needles slip through brush inserts and tangle.
- Mesh and micro-mesh. A fine metal mesh over the top. Micro-mesh keeps out the smallest debris, but still needs a rinse about once a year.
- Reverse curve. Water follows the curved lip into the gutter while leaves slide off the edge. Good water flow, but it changes how the roof edge looks and is harder to install.
- Perforated metal covers. A solid cover with small holes. This is the family Leaf Relief belongs to.
What we install: Leaf Relief
We install Leaf Relief, made by Ply Gem. It mounts straight onto the gutter with self-sealing screws, so we do not have to lift your shingles to fit it. It fits 5 and 6 inch gutters and adjusts to 4 inch, sits on continuous hangers that support the full length of the gutter, and carries the manufacturer's 25-year No-Clog, No-Overflow warranty.
Leaf Relief covers smaller particles with a screen mesh as well as the perforated top, which matters on the oak and pine lots common in Woodbridge, Lake Ridge and Fairfax Station.
Guards or new gutters?
Check the gutters before you buy guards. Aluminum gutters have an estimated life of 20 to 40 years (InterNACHI). If yours are pulling away from the fascia, leaking at the seams or undersized for the roof, a guard will only hide the problem.
One customer in March 2026 had replaced his steep roof with us two years earlier. When his 22-year-old gutters finally gave out, we put on a 6 inch seamless system with leaf guards. In his words: "Works great now in down pours and really improves the look of the roof as well." Kevin Jones, Google review, March 2026. The crew finished in under four hours, cleanup included.