Perforated Gutter Guard: A Comprehensive Review

Perforated gutter guards are a popular choice among homeowners due to their effectiveness in keeping debris out of gutters. They are designed with small holes that allow water to flow through while keeping larger particles out.

The key benefit of perforated gutter guards is their ability to capture debris, including leaves and branches, without clogging the gutters. This reduces the need for frequent cleaning and maintenance.

Perforated gutter guards are generally more affordable than other types of gutter guards, making them a cost-effective option for homeowners.

We let Mother Nature do her thing, testing gutter guards for about a year in a rigorous environment. This allowed us to document their performance over an extended period.

Each leaf guard was tested side-by-side, and we saw that perforated leaf guards outperformed micro mesh during water tests. They absorbed water just as well as micro mesh gutter guards.

We also discovered that two styles of gutter guards produced similar results, even though the surfaces of the perforated guards eventually filled with leaves and debris.

Our testing environment is pretty rigorous, with each leaf guard being tested for about a year side-by-side.

We're not using artificial means to test the gutter guards, like spraying them with a water hose or blowing leaves off with a leaf blower. Instead, we're letting Mother Nature do her thing over an extended period of time.

This prolonged exposure to the elements is crucial in determining how well each leaf guard performs in real-world conditions.

When comparing micro mesh gutter guards and less expensive perforated aluminum gutter guards, you may not see much of a performance difference between the two styles of systems.

Three perforated aluminum gutter guards, Gutter Rx, Shur Flo, and Englert MicroGuard, outperformed LeafFilter during critical water tests.

The surfaces of the perforated guards eventually filled with leaves and debris, but all three did an admirable job absorbing water.

In fact, LeafFilter's ability to absorb water declined precipitously during its second year.

The tops of the gutter guards looked similar, covered with leaves, seed pods, and pine needles, making it hard to tell one from the next without a close-up view.

It's worth noting that even though the surfaces of the perforated guards filled with debris, they still performed similarly to micro mesh gutter guards.

If you're considering either style of gutter guard, it's essential to remember that both types are prone to collecting leaves and debris on top of the gutters.

However, the difference in performance between the two styles may not be significant enough to justify the higher cost of micro mesh gutter guards.

In fact, you can likely save hundreds or thousands of dollars by installing perforated panels instead of micro mesh gutter guards.

Perforated aluminum gutter guards are easily available at most gutter wholesalers, making them a convenient option for homeowners. They are considered the most cost-effective solution, ideal for homes with no overhanging trees above the rooftops.

These gutter guards are relatively easy to install, as they simply stick to the gutters by bending the edges around them. This requires fastening materials to move around the sharp edges of the gutter safely.

They do not oxidize easily and block debris effectively, typically lasting for 10 to 20 years.

The installation method of gutter guards has a significant impact on their performance. If a micro mesh gutter guard installs the same way as a perforated gutter guard panel, they're both susceptible to leaves and debris settling on top.

Leaves, debris, and twigs can easily accumulate on the surface of the gutter guard, especially if it's installed in a way that creates a shelf. This is because the shelf provides a perfect place for tree debris to accumulate.

In fact, if debris accumulates on the surface, you'll need to maintain the gutter guards by occasionally blowing or sweeping off the debris to keep them working properly.

If you have overhanging trees, perforated aluminum gutter guard panels might not be the best choice. Perforated aluminum gutter guard panels are ideally suited for homes that don't have trees overhanging the house.

For homes with an abundance of pine needles, oak tassels, or locust flowers nearby, these gutter guards may not be sufficient. They're designed for homes without an abundance of these small plant debris.

In fact, homes with overhanging trees or nearby small debris might be better off with a different type of gutter guard.

Gutter guards need to be cleaned twice annually based on the locality of the building and debris collection around the gutter.

Cleaning gutter guards frequently increases their lifespan and preserves their functionality, which is essential for maintaining a gutter system's overall performance.

Heavy pile-ups of debris, wind, rain, and leaf collection can block the top of gutter guards, preventing water from entering, and requiring the gutter guard to be cleaned.

Cleaning gutter guards is a necessary task to ensure they continue to work effectively and don't become clogged with debris.

Installing aluminum gutter guards is a relatively easy process, and they're considered the most cost-effective option.

Perforated aluminum gutter guards are widely available at most gutter wholesalers, making it easy to find them.

These guards are ideally suited for homes with no overhanging trees above the rooftops, which reduces the risk of clogs.

To install them, simply bend the edges around the gutters, requiring fastening materials to move around the sharp edges safely.

Aluminum gutter guards do not oxidize easily and block debris effectively, lasting for 10 to 20 years.

However, if the small holes become clogged with seeds and small debris, it can be difficult to remove them for cleaning.

By investing in aluminum perforated gutter guards, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your gutters are safeguarded year-round with minimal maintenance.

Senox Smart Flow is a perforated aluminum gutter guard that's made from flat sheets of aluminum formed into shape by a roll forming machine.

It has a wavy surface with a series of holes in the panel, allowing water to flow through the guard and into the gutter.

This design makes it ideal for blocking large flat leaves from deciduous trees, but it may not be the best choice for smaller debris like pine needles, berries, and asphalt shingle grit.

Smart Flow is available for 6″ or 7″ gutters and comes in white or black.

Here are some key features of Senox Smart Flow: