Gutter Screens Vs. Gutter Covers

Gutter Covers

• Gutter covers have solid surfaces that run the length of the rain gutters. They often resemble an extension of the roof itself, blending in and leading down to the outer edge of the gutters. The opening between the cover and gutter edges is normally curved and wide enough to only allow rainwater to flow into the gutters, adhering to the cover's surface as it runs down the sloped roof. Leaves, twigs, pine needles and other foreign objects that flow down along with the water either stop on top of the cover or are deflected by the cover's curve and slip down to the ground below.

Gutter Screens

• Unlike the solid surface of covers, which allow nothing, even water, to enter through the surface, gutter screens are just that - mesh screens. The openings within the screen are small enough to allow water to flow through while simultaneously blocking solid objects that would otherwise enter the gutters. Instead, these objects, such as leaves, are filtered out of the water and either stick to the top of the screen or wash over onto the ground. Screens either attach to the outer lip of the gutters, with the other end resting against the roof, or underneath the roof shingles.

Limitation Differences

• Both gutter screens and gutter covers sometimes allow debris, such as granules from the roof shingles, into the gutters. With screens, the granules fall through the holes. Micro-mesh screens, with even smaller passage holes for the water, remedy this problem. Gutter covers, however, allow the granules to flow down and around the curve, accumulating in the gutters. Also, with heavy rainfall running down the roof, water is more susceptible to run over the edge of gutters with covers and be caught by gutters protected by screens.

Price Difference

• Price differences also exist between gutter screens and gutter covers. With either type, installation may be easy for homeowners to accomplish themselves or may require professional installation, depending on the particular installation process needed. Generally, solid covers are considerably more expensive than screens. However, the prices of some micro-mesh screens, which prevent shingle granules from entering gutters, are comparable to the prices of some gutter covers.