When it comes to gutter guards, Gutter Helmet is one of the top brands in the industry. It has a wide dealer network ready to support homeowners in selecting aluminum gutter guard solutions using surface tension.
What Is Gutter Helmet?
Gutter Helmet manufactures lightweight gutter protection systems that can be installed without a complete roof renovation.
The helmet can be used to repair or reinforce existing rain gutters and restore optimal water flow. You can use this system as a permanent solution to keep the gutters free of debris and prevent water damage to the base of the house.
These gutters feature strong aluminum construction and reliable adhesion to ensure proper functionality in any season.
Insect infestation, water damage, and clogging are the top three problems Gutter Helmet can solve for homeowners. In addition to the quality of its product, the company also offers installation services and a lifetime transferable warranty.
Before You Buy – Types of Gutter Protection Systems
Gutter protection systems and gutter guards can come in various forms and technologies. But they can all be broken down into the following categories.
Mesh Guards
These are fine metal sheets with small holes that allow water to pass through while keeping debris on top to prevent clogging the gutters.
Mesh guards can also be made of plastic, but most homeowners prefer metal. Despite its low cost, plastic is not as durable in extreme weather conditions.
Screen Guards
Screen guards are among the cheapest gutter protection systems available on the market. They rarely require professional installation or specialized equipment.
However, a screen guard is most effective with larger debris, which means clogging issues won’t be totally eliminated.
Surface Tension Guards
A surface tension (or reverse curve) guard is often made of metal, although some plastic variants exist on the market.
These guards have a unique design that alters the water flow forcefully. Once installed on your roof, the water will flow over the gutter and follow a downward curve due to the phenomenon known as surface tension.
This causes water to drop into the bottom drain without carrying leaves or other debris.
Most, if not all, reverse curve guards will require professional installation.
Micro-Mesh Guards
A micro-mesh guard allows water to flow into the gutter while also preventing debris from dropping into the gutter.
Compared to standard mesh guards, micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes. Thus, they’re more adept at handling tiny debris and insects.
While they require professional installation, they may also need more consistent maintenance than regular screen guards, reverse curve guards, and standard mesh protection systems.
Foam Guards
A foam guard is one of the easiest protection systems you can install. It involves sticking foam wedges in the gutter to prevent large debris from flowing freely with the water.
However, debris build-ups aren’t uncommon and complete removal is necessary for maintenance purposes.
Brush Guards
A brush guard acts more or less like a pipe cleaner that traps debris on top and allows water to trickle down.
These guards rarely perform well against small debris, and consistent maintenance is required to ensure optimum functionality.
Did you know? Foundation cracks and wall discoloration are two of the tell-tale signs of a water-damaged house foundation.
In some cases, the damage may be intensified by a poor gutter system that constantly overflows instead of redirecting the flow away from the foundation.
How Much Does Gutter Helmet Cost?
Whether Gutter Helmet is the right company with the best solution for your budget will depend on several factors. For one, the size of your roof and gutter dimensions will either increase or decrease your total installation costs.
Another price-determining factor is the condition of your gutter system. Remember that the Gutter Helmet solution is meant to be installed on top of an existing rain gutter.
Therefore, replacing severely damaged or poorly installed gutters first can increase the installation cost.
Other requirements need to be considered, including special equipment, accessibility, roof steepness, etc.
Fortunately, Gutter Helmet does offer free estimates, so you can get a good idea of what to expect pricewise if you contact a local dealer.
In general, if you want to install a Gutter Helmet system, you can expect prices ranging from $14 to $16 per linear foot.
Usually, this will include material and installation fees.
For instance, if you need up to 200 linear feet of Gutter Guard, you can expect a cost of up to $3,000 to $3,500. Remember that complications during the installation or irreparable damage to the existing system can bump up the service fee.
Cost of Gutter Helmet vs Top Gutter Guards Brands
The table below compares the cost of installing Gutter Helmet vs LeafGuard vs MasterShield.
| Gutter Guards | Installation Cost per Linear Foot | Installation Cost per 200 Linear Feet |
|---|---|---|
| Gutter Helmet | $15 to $17.5 | $3,000 to $3,500 |
| LeafGuard | $27.5 to $30 | $5,500 to $6,000 |
| MasterShield | $18 to $28 | $3,300 to $3,500 |
Gutter Helmet Key Features
Aside from its patented design and convenient installation system, Gutter Helmet comes with additional standout features:
The textured surface and PermaLife finish help prevent cracking, scratching, peeling, and fading.
You have multiple color options to mix and match with your roof design and home exterior.
For additional protection, the Helmet Heat add-on can be used to minimize snow build-up in the winter.
The gutter protection system has a unique nose-forward design precisely engineered to deal with snow and heavy rain.
Rainwater gets redirected away from the property thanks to a combination of surface tension and liquid adhesion.
Before the installation begins, the Gutter Helmet installers handle any maintenance and cleaning your existing gutter system may require, making the homeowner’s job that much easier.
Did you know? Gutter maintenance should be performed twice a year at a minimum. Improper maintenance habits could lead to severe water damage to the outside and inside of the household, with the most significant damage being concentrated on the roof.
Gutter Helmet – The Pros
Here are some of the pros of installing a Gutter Helmet system.
Pro No. 1 – Robust Construction
Gutter Helmet gutter guards have durable aluminum construction and are engineered to handle up to 22 inches of water. The design is lightweight, has strong mounting brackets, and will perform well against heavy rain and snow.
Pro No. 2 – Free Quotes
Gutter Helmet authorized installers can offer free cost estimates after inspecting the roof, siding, and existing gutter system. This will help you make a more informed decision about what gutter type fits your budget.
Pro No. 3 – Triple Lifetime Warranty
Under this warranty, homeowners never have to worry about installing a new gutter protection system, especially since the contract includes a transferable materials policy.
Pro No. 4 – Professional Installation
Reinforcing existing gutters with Gutter Helmet is easy when the installation is handled by trained technicians. As a bonus, not having to replace old gutters or repair them can cut down on installation costs.
Pro No. 5 – Seamless Post-Installation Maintenance
Due to their unique design, Gutter Helmet protection systems don’t need additional cleaning by the homeowner.
Pro No. 6 – Great Color Selection
Gutter Helmet pays great attention to detail and cares about aesthetics, more so than some of its competitors. The company refers to its protection system as essentially invisible because it easily blends into the roof.
Here are some of the colors available:
Brown; Bronze; Black; Charcoal; Dove Gray; Green; Musket Brown; Timber
Gutter Helmet – The Cons
Now let’s look at some of the possible downsides of using Gutter Helmet.
Con. 1 – Fees Can Vary Wildly
Too many factors can influence the installation cost, such as the state of the existing gutter system. The more damaged the rain gutters are, the higher the installation price.
Con No. 2 – Service Calls Not Covered
The triple lifetime warranty doesn’t include additional service calls made after the installation. Gutter Helmet has some of the highest fees among its competitors for any additional work commissioned by the client.
Gutter Helmet Homeowner Reviews
Most Gutter Helmet reviews are positive, with the company getting huge props for the protection system’s resilience in extreme weather conditions.
The technicians are also commended for the timely installations and good advice given to homeowners.
Other homeowners appreciate the low-maintenance product and the transferrable limited lifetime warranty, which can add value to a home when flipped or sold.
However, the pricing structure has Gutter Helmet clients split. While some like the initial lower upfront cost (compared to that of other companies), the additional fees can pile up in certain circumstances.
What Size Debris Can Gutter Helmet Keep Out?
The Gutter Helmet protection system comes with 3/8-inch slits that are great at handling leaves, twigs, and other large debris. However, it can also prevent insect infestation and needles from clogging the rain gutters. Therefore, it can handle smaller rubbish as well.
How Much Rain Can Cause Gutter Helmet to Overflow?
The Gutter Helmet system is advertised as capable of handling an hourly rate of 22 inches of rain. But, according to some reviews, heavy rain such as that might still cause overflow either due to poor installation or unfavorable geographic locations.
How Long Does the Gutter Helmet System Last?
According to the company, the Gutter Helmet system should last a lifetime. It’s designed and advertised as a permanent solution that won’t need replacing.
Where to Buy Gutter Helmet?
Like many other professional gutter protection systems, Gutter Helmet doesn’t sell its product at your regular hardware store, nor does it advise a DIY installation.
Therefore, the helmet system is available only from exclusive dealers. Fortunately, this is a nationwide network.
Gutter Helmet vs. LeafGuard
Both Gutter Helmet and LeafGuard have sturdy gutter protection systems made of aluminum that use liquid adhesives to redirect rainwater away from the property.
The companies also provide clients with technical assistance, extended warranties, and professional installations.
However, the two products are different when it comes to the actual installation. Gutter Helmet doesn’t require replacing the old gutters as it’s intended to protect and reinforce existing systems.
On the other hand, LeafGuard always involves a complete replacement process. Despite Gutter Helmet’s varying pricing structure, this aspect still makes it more affordable than LeafGuard.
With Gutter Helmet, you can protect up to 200 linear feet for around $3,000 to $3,500. The same amount of coverage can cost between $5,500 and $6,000 if you’re considering LeafGuard.
That said, if a complete replacement is required, LeafGuard may be the better choice as severely damaged gutters can incur substantial replacement fees from Gutter Helmet.
Check out our extensive comparative:
Did you know? Gutter protection systems can do more than prevent clogging from leaves and other debris. They’re also necessary to eliminate bird, insect, and animal debris that often causes overflow.
Gutter Helmet vs. MasterShield
While Gutter Helmet and LeafGuard protection systems are quite similar, MasterShield has a different approach.
Its patented micromesh technology makes MasterShield one of the top companies in the industry. The gutter system is compatible with multiple roof pitches, is eco-friendly, and has superior strength and endurance in cold weather.
The installation flexibility is impressive as well as each gutter mesh from MasterShield can be optimized for different roof sizes, shapes, and angles to maximize rigidity. However, modifications to the existing gutter system might be necessary in some cases.
In terms of pricing, MasterShield is almost on par with Gutter Helmet. After factoring in materials and labor costs, the upfront or base installation cost can vary between $18 and $20 per linear foot.
But if installation complications exist, the cost per linear foot can reach $28 or higher, especially for homes with multiple stories.
This can put the total cost of covering 200 linear feet between $3,300 and $3,500. This company might charge slightly more than Gutter Helmet, but the very fine mesh could keep more debris out of the gutter, improving water flow.
Did you know? The highest recorded rainfall per hour was 12 inches, and it happened in Hawaii in January of 1956. The Gutter Helmet’s maximum rating is nearly twice the highest rainfall rate recorded in the U.S.
Is Gutter Helmet Right For You?
No company in the gutter guard space has only positive reviews. Some protection systems will function better than others in specific locations. In addition, not all installers have the same technical background or people skills, etc.
Personal preferences and aesthetics can cause a gutter guard company to get some bad publicity due to fewer color options or unappealing designs.
That said, Gutter Helmet has a good reputation when it comes to performance, continuous functionality, toughness, and longevity.
Thus, the cost may not be the determining factor as cheaper DIY alternatives, similarly priced professional systems, and more expensive options exist.
But the versatility of the Gutter Helmet reverse curve guard can’t be understated either.
The company did a good job when engineering its product, and it could be one of the most convenient, affordable options for many homeowners.
For over 20 years Leo has run a successful roofing business in New England, specializing in metal roofing, as well as cool flat roofing technologies. Having replaced and installed hundreds of roofs in New England, Leo has first hand experience with pretty much every residential roofing material and roofing manufacturer available in the US.
