One of the more popular types of gutter protection, gutter covers help keep the falling leaves and debris out of your gutters so they can keep the water flowing. There are several different styles of gutter covers available, many of which offer additional benefits, such as high-function or style.

Types of Gutter Covers

There are nearly as many types of gutter covers on the market as there are types of gutters and houses to install them on. Some gutter covers are fairly unobtrusive; they sit just below the upper rim of the gutters so they aren’t visible from below. Others can be more decorative in style and can even enhance the look of your current gutter system.

Perforated Metal Gutter Covers

Also known as gutter guards, perforated metal covers are among the more popular options on the market today. They’re usually made of long-lasting aluminum, and the snap right onto the tops of your existing gutters. You can’t see them from below, and their many holes let water through while blocking leaves and debris.

They do have some drawbacks, however. Wet leaves can get stuck to the surface, blocking the rainwater from entering. They also may not function well in areas with high rain volume, simply because the water can’t run through them fast enough. For houses with more moderate rainfall, however, they are a good choice.

Hooded Gutter Covers

Hooded covers are a cross between a cover and a screen. They’re more decorative in appearance than either normal covers or screens, and make a sort of roof over your gutter. They can capture a lot more water than a normal gutter cover can, and are less likely to become plastered with wet leaves because the sloped surface tends to let them slide right off.

They are highly visible, however, so if you don’t care for the black metal “roof” on your gutters, they may not be the best option for you.

High-Flow Gutter Covers

For homeowners that live in areas with very heavy rain fall, you need a high-flow gutter cover. High-flow covers are intended to keep out debris, while capturing as much water as possible. They are high visible because they extend up from the back of the gutter to help capture more rainwater and funnel it down into the gutter. Their tops are made of the same perforated surface that most gutter covers are, while they also have additional slits at an angle across the front. These slits help capture additional water, pulling it into the gutter.

These gutter covers sit high up above your gutters, effectively extending them upward by a few inches. They aren’t the most attractive things on the market, but if you live in an area with high rainfall, and struggle with frequently clogged gutters, they can be the answer you’ve been looking for.

Protect Your Gutters

Gutter covers are fairly inexpensive, running between $3 and $7 a length. Compared to the cost of constantly having to clean and repair your gutters, however, they can be invaluable.

Protect your gutters by looking into gutter covers and help ensure you never deal with a clogged gutter again.