Gutter Guard Materials and Their Differences

Gutter guards are manufactured in a wide range of styles and materials. While the design of the gutter guard is usually the most important factor influencing their performance, different materials also play an important role, especially in terms of durability.

Steel

Steel is one of the most common material choices available for gutter guards. Although it isn’t the cheapest material, it is still affordable and economical to use.

The main problem with steel, however, is that it is prone to rusting. Despite this, a steel gutter guard can be expected to last for quite some time, especially if care is taken during the installation to ensure that any coating it may have is not stripped off to expose the steel.

Vinyl

Vinyl is the most economical of materials available on the market and doesn’t have problems with rust. However, vinyl gutter guards suffer from not being as strong as the other materials. In extreme cold, or with age, vinyl tends to become brittle and crack.

Copper

In terms of gutter guard materials, copper is considered an exotic metal. It is expensive, but can last much longer than any other material. Due to the price, copper gutter guards aren’t seen on many homes.

Aluminum

Aluminum gutter guards achieve a fine balance of economy and practicality. Aluminum will not rust and withstands cold with relative ease. Being only slightly more expensive than steel, they are a great investment for any home.