I have Leaf Guard Gutters (here in Minnesota) for almost 20 years. They have worked well, and no clogs.

Instead of leaf guards to keep debris, friends have gutters that they can 'trip' to empty. They've had them for over 20 years with many trees and no problems.

Thanks for the replies....

I'm trying to use only products that can be retrofitted to standard, K-style gutters. The LeafGuards have to be installed as part of the gutter itself and cost $30/linear foot. The 'tippy' gutters are intriguing, but again, they would have to be from new.

Quite by chance, I have used two of the most highly-rated products by Consumer Reports in 2010, both made by Amerimax: the plastic, roll-type (only $.30/LF) and the flip-over metal shields. The plastic ones don't last and the other style seems to gather more than it sheds. But then I have the trifecta of biological challenges: loblolly pine (copious needles), willow oak (narrow leaves) and sweet gum (buckets of tiny seeds plus those damnable, spiked gum balls). Plus the nation's largest coal export facility less than a mile upwind.... Any/all of these are likely to defeat the curved design of capillary action products similar to the LeafGuard. "Regular" leaves aren't an issue....

Cheers

As you already know, those roll out type collapse. The metal flip over ones will flip over in high wind if there are leaves on them. Besides that, the metal ones can cut you up pretty bad.

You may want to look into the Waterfall. Years ago, I installed thousands of feet of it when I was in roofing. Never had a complaint about them.

Sometimes the clip on guards will blow off in high winds.

Anyone know of a system that works well on half-round gutters on a metal roof? I checked the Waterfall, but it only works on K style gutters.

Checked out the Waterfall system as well. It appears that it should be installed matching the slope of the roof. On my roof, there's very little difference in 'altitude' between the drip edge of the shingles and the outer edge of the gutter, though all gutters slope properly to the downspouts. An area of about 6-7 squares in the back drains into rain barrels. Gum seeds will surely pass through the Waterfall.

The volume of gum seeds from the neighbors' trees is remarkable. I set out a rimmed baking sheet once at the height of the 'season'. It was almost completely covered in one 24 hour period.

I installed the 30 yr/300# shingles myself 32 years ago, taking off two layers beforehand, but I'm too old for roofing anymore. I was too old for it 32 years ago.... ;-) (These days, shingles get delivered right to the roof, rather than a pallet at the curb line.) Since a new roof will be needed soon, I'll probably end up going with the GutterGlove Pro when the time comes. That seems the only system that can defeat the rain of bloody gum seeds.

Cheers

For a 9 x 12 shed, I'm trying lengths of open cell foam that are stuffed into the gutters and let only water pass through. No complaints for two years, but I've no idea how long they'll last until they start to crumble.

Check out Gutter Brush. We have been installing this product for two years now and not an issue what so ever. You can buy direct from Gutter Brush or look on their website for an installer in your area. They are more expensive than gutter screens but screens have to be inserted between the shingles and the deck, this is not good as it will allow capillary movement of water under the shingles and onto the deck thus causing water damage over time. Gutter Brush just sits in the gutter allowing the rain water to go into the gutter and the debris out. The are substantialy less expensive than Leaf Guard or Gutter Helmet.

I am looking for gutter guards and had a bid from Leaffilter north. Uses a 50 micron stainless screen over ribbed vinyl supports. No disruption of shingles required at installation. Any reviews or comments on this company? Other recommendations?

gutter brush

but you need to evaluate the type of material that is getting in your gutters, Bald Cyprus or pine needles will cause more issues with that type of gutter guard.

Curious, a negative comment I made about the Gutterbrush was deleted after several days. With pine needles, gum seeds by the ton and coal dust, I can't imagine a worst choice for gutters. Let's see if this too gets deleted.

Have no clue what you are talking about, why don't you give Randy Schrieber a call at 888-397-9433, and discuss it with him, he is the owner of the company.

I have never heard of any issues with the product

If a prior post hadn't been deleted, it would have been self-explanatory. Hereabouts, we have a trifecta of gutter challenges: loblolly pine needles (pinus taeda) in an abundance that hasn't been seen before, tonnage of sweet gum seeds (liquidambar styraciflua) and quantities of coal dust. Pine needles fall like little arrows, pointy end down. They stick in the tiniest of cracks and crevices in siding or shingles. The Gutterbrush would be the best medium imaginable to capture each and every one. Sticking up.... And this would catch all the narrow willow oak (quercus phalloides) leaves. The brushes would also slow down impede the exit of gum seeds and coal dust. Nearing seven decades on this planet, I want to work less, not more....

this is interesting. We do Christmas Lights from mid October until the end of January and have no time to look at Houzz or any other website, wonder who deleted your negative comment

Honestly I don't believe gutter guards are your answer as they almost always eventually fail and when they do you can't get to your gutter to clean them out. I replaced my 3 inch gutters with 5 inch seamless gutters and 6 x 4 downspouts. That took care of a huge portion of my issue as my gutters can flow freely and clean themselves out. I have a 80% + reduction of junk in my gutters and haven't cleaned them in two years since I replaced them. I know you want a cheaper fix but I don't believe one exists. If your gutters are installed with the screw/nail high enough you could look into this http://store.irobot.com/irobot-looj-330/product.jsp?productId=13081876&cp=2878870&parentPage=family I used it when I was working for a handyman and in the gutters it fit it was the best thing. You set it in the gutter and let it go. Move your ladder to the other end and by the time you get up there your gutters are clean and you just need to move it around the next corner. In a house with nice long gutter runs it is a beauty.

Otherwise I would call up some local handyman or talk to the kids in the neighborhood, if your rural then the neighbors with the kid old enough to drive, and see if you can work out a good deal.

Did not know they even made 3" gutters. Where I live (MO) 5" is standard because of the amount of rainfall we get. My 5" gutters clog up every fall from leaves, and ever spring from the silver maple helicopters. Maybe larger downspouts would help, 2x3 is standard, but if the stuff is piling up all along the gutter long before it rains, it's hard to imagine a larger downspout would make much difference.

My house was built in the late 80's and the contractor I am pretty sure just ran down to the local home store and picked up the cheapest gutters. Small and they always leaked so I upgraded finally to the 5" I don't think they make gutters that small anymore. We get at least one or two hard rains a year (1+) which flushes the gutters out real well and the oversized downspouts allow all the trash to flow out without clogging. Then you grab a rake after the heavy rain and clean up the several inch deep pile of leaves, seed pods, and pine needles. If you don't get the hard rains or high winds they probably won't work as well but in my climate it is amazing difference.

everybody needs to evaluate their own individual environment. If your larger gutters and downspouts are doing the trick then no need to spend more money.

We approach all our projects this way, gutter guards, landscape lighting, mosquito misting, and water features. But at the same time we will only recommend the best equipment that will get the job done right.

We are glad to see that your are pleased with what you have had installed.

JP