Screen, Micro-Mesh or Solid Cover: Which Gutter Guard Should You Buy?

Buy the gutter guard that matches the debris your roof sheds. E-Z Gutter Guard's maker, Midwest Enterprises, rates its regular-hole steel screen (5/8 inch by 5/16 inch holes) for a "Medium Debris Load," says its micro-mesh aluminum screen "blocks pine needles, shingle grit, and small debris," and rates its solid and perforated aluminum covers for a "Maximum Debris Load."

The other half of the decision is what happens at the shingles. The maker labels E-Z-Micro Mesh, E-Z-Lock, E-Z-Leaf Destroyer and E-Z-Smooth Flow as products that do not disturb shingles, while its E-Z-Solid cover "slides under the shingle" between the starter course and the first row. That difference affects how the guard installs, how it comes off for maintenance, and whether you need to work at the roof edge at all. This guide compares the three guard types, what each handles, and what to check before you order.

What Are the Three Main Types of Gutter Guards?

A gutter guard is a cover or screen that sits over a gutter to let water in while keeping leaves and debris out. The E-Z line from Midwest Enterprises shows the main types clearly:

• Screens. Expanded metal with open holes. E-Z's steel screens are made from ".028 expanded galvanized steel that is powder-coated" and come with "either medium or small holes."

• Micro-mesh and filters. A fine metal mesh. E-Z-Micro Mesh is "powder-coated micro-mesh aluminum," and E-Z-Leaf Destroyer is stainless steel mesh at "700 microns."

• Solid and perforated covers. Painted aluminum covers. For E-Z-Solid, the maker says water tracks around the front "by surface tension" and into the gutter "while forcing debris to fly off."

Among screens and meshes, the finer the opening, the smaller the debris it keeps out.

Which Gutter Guard Handles Pine Needles, Leaves and Shingle Grit?

Use the maker's own debris ratings as a starting point.

E-Z product	Material	Maker's debris rating	Touches shingles?
E-Z-Lock Regular Hole	.028 galvanized steel, 5/8 x 5/16 in holes	Medium debris load	Snap-in option does not
E-Z-Lock Small Hole	Galvanized steel, tighter mesh	Medium debris, small holes	Does not (E-Z-Under for under-shingle installs)
E-Z-Micro Mesh	Powder-coated aluminum micro-mesh	Heaviest debris, smallest holes	Does not
E-Z-Leaf Destroyer	Stainless steel mesh, 700 microns	Not stated	Does not
E-Z-Smooth Flow	Perforated painted .019 aluminum	Maximum debris load	Does not
E-Z-Solid	Solid painted .019 aluminum, 3/4 in profile	Maximum debris load	Slides under the first shingle row

Source: e-zgutter.com product pages and spec sheets.

For pine needles and the gritty granules that wash off asphalt shingles, the maker points to micro-mesh, which it rates for the "Heaviest Debris Loads with the Smallest Possible Holes." Its solid and perforated covers carry a "Maximum Debris Load" rating, and the solid cover forces debris to fly off the front edge. For medium debris loads, the maker rates its steel screens as a fit.

Do Micro-Mesh Gutter Guards Work Better Than Screens?

At filtering, yes. In Consumer Reports' 16-month outdoor test, published in 2010, "fine-mesh screens like the top-scoring LeafFilter and Gutterglove Pro outperformed screens with larger holes," and "none of the inserts were good at keeping out debris." That test is old, so treat it as a general finding about guard styles rather than a ranking of today's products.

The same test found limits. Even the best screen "was only middling at containing a severe downpour," and Consumer Reports concluded "a low-priced screen may be all it takes." No guard ends maintenance entirely. E-Z's own product pages say every guard "will require maintenance from time to time, by brushing off the top of the panels."

Can You Install Gutter Guards Without Lifting Shingles?

Yes, with the right product. E-Z-Micro Mesh "locks into hidden hangers and does not disturb shingles," and E-Z-Lock Regular Hole "can be snapped into the front of the gutter for quick and easy removal, without disturbing the shingles." E-Z-Leaf Destroyer "snaps into the gutter for a quick install."

E-Z-Solid works differently. Its spec sheet says it fits "between the starter and 1st row of shingles without re-hanging the gutter" and "fastens with special stainless steel clips and screws to the front of the gutter." If you want a guard that never touches the roof, choose one the maker labels as not disturbing shingles, such as E-Z-Micro Mesh, E-Z-Leaf Destroyer, E-Z-Smooth Flow or the snap-in E-Z-Lock.

Measure before you buy. E-Z-Micro Mesh and E-Z-Solid come in 4 foot lengths for 5 inch or 6 inch gutters, E-Z-Lock Regular Hole comes in 5, 6 and 7 inch widths, and E-Z-Smooth Flow comes in 4, 6 and 10 foot lengths. Working at the gutter line means ladder work, so review how to choose the right extension ladder height first. OSHA's ladder QuickCard says to set the base "a quarter of the working length of the ladder from the wall," and an OSHA extension ladder fact sheet says to keep ladders "at least 10 feet away from any power lines."

Do Gutter Guards Cause or Prevent Ice Dams?

Gutters themselves do not cause ice dams, and guards mainly help gutters drain. UMass Amherst's building science program says "contrary to popular belief, gutters do not cause ice dams," though gutters "do help concentrate ice and water at a very vulnerable roof-eaves area." The Department of Energy's Building America guide agrees, adding that in high snow-load areas gutters "can fill with snow, which may freeze and become part of an already forming roof ice dam."

The cause sits in the attic. The University of Minnesota Extension says "nonuniform roof surface temperatures lead to ice dams" and that they "can be prevented by controlling the heat loss from the home," starting with making the ceiling "air tight." Guards help water drain before the freeze, which is why DOE advises keeping gutters clean "as winter approaches" or installing "screen leaf guards so that gutters can drain effectively."

For the roof edge itself, see CGR's guide to ice and water shield and where it goes on a roof.

What Should You Check Before Buying Gutter Guards?

A guard only works on a gutter that drains. DOE's Building America guide calls for gutters that "slope at least 1/16 inch per foot of run," downspouts "at least 20 feet apart but no more than 50 feet apart," and discharge "at least 5 feet away from foundations." It also sizes downspouts at "1 square inch of downspout cross-section for every 100 square feet of roof area." Fix sags and undersized downspouts before adding guards.

Read the warranty terms too. E-Z Gutter Guards carry "a Limited Lifetime, Transferrable Warranty covering manufacturing defects and workmanship." The warranty asks for registration "within 30 days of the installation date," charges $50 to transfer, and does not cover the cost "to clean any blockage or obstruction" or "color changes."

If your gutters themselves are due for replacement, compare aluminum, vinyl, steel and copper gutters first. For the cleaning side, CGR's posts on whether gutter cleaning is really necessary and on Shur Flo gutter guards for fall cover the basics.

FAQ

What is the best gutter guard for pine needles?

A fine mesh. E-Z Gutter's maker says its micro-mesh aluminum screen "blocks pine needles, shingle grit, and small debris."

Do micro-mesh gutter guards clog?

They can collect debris on top. The maker says all its guards "will require maintenance from time to time, by brushing off the top of the panels."

Do gutter guards cause ice dams?

UMass Amherst and the Department of Energy say gutters do not cause ice dams, and the University of Minnesota Extension ties ice dams to heat loss from the home. Snow-filled gutters can freeze and add to an ice dam that is already forming.

Can I install gutter guards myself?

You can if you can set up and use a ladder safely. E-Z-Micro Mesh locks into hidden hangers and E-Z-Lock can snap in, both without touching the shingles, while E-Z-Solid slides under the first shingle row.

Will gutter guards fit my gutters?

E-Z-Micro Mesh and E-Z-Solid fit 5 inch or 6 inch gutters. E-Z-Lock Regular Hole also comes in 7 inch, with 8 and 9 inch by special order.

Are foam or brush gutter inserts worth it?

Consumer Reports' 2010 test found "none of the inserts were good at keeping out debris."

Buy E-Z Gutter Guards at CGR Wholesale

CGR Wholesale Roofing & Siding Supply Center carries E-Z Gutter Guard from Midwest Enterprises, including powder-coated steel screens, premium aluminum screens, painted aluminum covers, stainless steel filters and solid painted aluminum covers like the E-Z Solid, built to fit existing 5 inch and 6 inch gutters. CGR is also a stocking dealer for Werner ladders. Bring your gutter width and run lengths to the Rostraver showroom, open Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Saturday 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM, or call in an order for pickup or delivery.

Visit CGR Wholesale Roofing & Siding Supply Center or call 724-268-3671 today. Contact us for more information.