Sam Wasson is a content writer specializing in gutters, roofing and pest control. He has more than five years of experience in content production, writing and critical research. Sam creates accurate and informative content through thorough analysis, firsthand testing and industry experience. Sam’s content and data have been featured and referenced in various online publications.
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Pine needles are more difficult to clean and dislodge from your gutters than other types of debris. They’re dense and have less surface area, so they don’t brush or blow off as easily as deciduous tree leaves.
Pine needles accumulating in your gutters can lead to clogs and costly problems, such as water damage, foundation shifting and soil erosion. Gutter guards can protect your home’s drainage system from pine needles by adding a barrier to the top of your gutter system. However, some gutter guards, such as brush, reverse-curve and screen guards, don’t protect against pine needles effectively; their filters aren’t fine enough to block pine needles.
To ensure you find the most effective gutter guards for your home, we at Homefront have thoroughly tested each type of gutter guard against various debris, including both long-leaf and short-leaf pine needles. We determined that micro-mesh gutter guards performed the best — these filters are fine enough to prevent pine needles from slipping into your gutters.
Micro-mesh guards are the most effective gutter guard type for pine needles. When choosing a micro-mesh gutter guard for your home, we recommend also considering each company’s reputation, pricing and warranty options.
An installer’s reputation acts as an extension of its product and customer service quality. You can protect yourself from scams and bad actors by researching a provider’s business history through websites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and reading customer reviews on independent review sites such as Trustpilot.
Word of mouth is one of the best ways to assess a gutter guard’s reputation, especially for local contractors or branch locations. Ask friends, family and neighbors if they have recommendations.
Like many home improvement projects, installing gutter guards can quickly get expensive. Expect to pay between $3,000 and $4,500 for a professionally installed 200-foot gutter guard system. DIY guards are a cheaper alternative, costing between $200 and $700 for 200 linear feet of guards.
A warranty is more than just financial protection against installation and product faults; it’s also a subtle indicator of company performance. A company that offers an ironclad, long-lasting warranty with generous conditions is confident in its product compared to those that offer limited life spans and coverages.
We recommend reviewing a company’s warranty terms, limitations and coverage before choosing a gutter guard provider. Not all companies host warranty information on their websites. You may need to sign up for a free quote before you can access all the information.
To find the best gutter guard companies for pine needle prevention, we examined each brand’s products, customer reviews and service offerings. We surveyed 1,500 customers of popular gutter guard companies, tested gutter guards and spoke with industry experts. Our research determined that the following four providers are the best for pine needles.
What we like
LeafFilter gutter guards use a 275-micron surgical-grade stainless steel micro-mesh screen. During product testing, we discovered that it blocked both long- and short-leaf pine needles along with other small debris, such as seedpods and shingle grit. In addition to gutter guard installation, LeafFilter offers a host of other services, including gutter cleaning and repair.
What we don’t like
You’ll pay for the quality — LeafFilter is one of the most expensive gutter guard providers in the industry. We surveyed nearly 200 of its customers, and their responses showed that the average cost of a 200-foot LeafFilter system is just under $4,500. This is $500 to $1,000 more than other professionally installed brands, such as LeafGuard and HomeCraft.
Call a LeafFilter customer service representative or fill out an online form to start the process. They’ll schedule a free in-person estimate and inspection to be completed by a sales associate at your property. At your home, they’ll take the following steps:
The representative will give a sales pitch for the LeafFilter gutter guard system. They’ll explain how it works, offer a free quote and break down your installation costs. You can negotiate on the price, which both our survey respondents and online reviews implied was effective in reducing your final rate. The salesperson will set an installation date if you agree on a final amount.
On that day, a LeafFilter technician crew will install your new gutter guards. They’ll begin by cleaning out your existing system, repairing or replacing any damaged sections, and installing the product. They’ll clean up any remaining debris and answer any questions you may have before departing.
LeafFilter gutter guards are fitted with a stainless steel micro-mesh screen and a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) frame supported by reinforcing substructures. It’s a closed system with high-end materials, making it long-lasting and resistant to wear and tear.
LeafFilter supplied us with a floor model of its system, allowing us to inspect and test its products firsthand. We found the guard effective at keeping out debris, including deciduous tree leaves, seedpods, shingle grit and pine needles. It was durable, had secure connectors and withstood impacts. Most debris, including pine needles, came off with a light application of water thanks to its built-in pitch. What materials didn’t wash off were easily removed with a light brushing.
Customer reviews for LeafFilter are largely positive. Its BBB page has nearly 6,000 reviews, averaging a score of 3.94 out of 5 stars. Its Trustpilot page has more than 120,000 reviews, 83% of which are 4 to 5 stars.
We noted that many LeafFilter customers were pleased with the performance of its representatives and technicians. Customers stated the representatives were polite and knowledgeable and that service professionals were professional and prompt, often going out of their way to be helpful.
Critical reviews note poor scheduling. According to some customers, LeafFilter failed to meet appointment times and rescheduled with little or no notice.
According to the 200 LeafFilter customers we surveyed, you can expect to pay just under $4,500 for a 200-foot gutter guard system.
LeafFilter offers a lifetime transferable warranty. Under this warranty, LeafFilter promises to replace your system or refund the material price if it ever clogs. This warranty only extends to installed LeafFilter products and excludes “damage to gutters, fascia boards, or roof substrate or surface caused by the installation of LeafFilter products.”
After thoroughly reading the warranty, I noticed it becomes void in the following situations:
HomeCraft gutter guards sport a micro-mesh screen with 304 marine-grade stainless steel and diamond indentations. Alongside its high-quality gutter guard, HomeCraft offers a suite of services, such as gutter repair, cleaning and installation. Its positive reviews mention the professionalism of its technicians and customer service representatives. One BBB review indicated that HomeCraft protected well against pine trees.
Critical customer reviews indicate that HomeCraft has poor communication and sales practices. The most common complaint I saw when reading reviews regarded HomeCraft’s numerous sales calls.
The process begins by reaching out to HomeCraft’s customer support staff or filling out an online form. A representative will schedule an appointment for an inspection and a free quote.
On the inspection day, a HomeCraft sales representative will meet you at your home. They’ll inspect your property for factors that may impact the cost of your gutter guard installation, including broken gutters or downspouts, steep roof pitches and damaged fascia. Once the inspection is complete, they’ll generate a free quote and give a presentation on HomeCraft’s gutter guard. If you agree to the price, they’ll schedule an installation date.
When the technicians arrive, they’ll clean your gutters, make any necessary repairs, install the hidden hangers and place the gutter guard. They’ll clean up debris, answer questions and depart.
HomeCraft Gutter Protection uses a 304 marine-grade stainless steel micro-mesh guard with a raised diamond pattern. It has a powder-coated aluminum body with no substructure, allowing it to adhere better to your roofline.
HomeCraft’s raised diamond screen uses small pockets to increase its self-cleaning properties and push off debris. While we haven’t tested this system firsthand, customer reviews indicate that HomeCraft guards function as advertised. Our survey results support this; no respondent out of 150 claimed dissatisfaction with HomeCraft’s performance.
Online reviews of HomeCraft are mixed. On HomeCraft’s BBB page, negative reviews note the tactics used by its sales representatives. Another common complaint is the long callback wait times. Positive reviews praise HomeCraft’s customer service, with many noting HomeCraft’s individual attention to each client.
Its Trustpilot page has more than 240 reviews, with 88% at a 5-star rating. Favorable reviews note the professionalism and thoroughness of the installation teams. Customers mentioned the installers were on time, curious and helpful. They answered questions and reviewed what work had been done.
According to our survey results, you can expect to pay around $3,852, or roughly $19 per linear foot, for a 200-foot HomeCraft gutter guard system. Some respondents reported slightly higher prices, but most were in line with the industry standard.
According to its website, HomeCraft offers a lifetime warranty for its gutter guards. However, upon digging into online reviews, I found responses indicating multiple warranties of varying lengths, including a one-year labor warranty and a limited 40-year warranty. HomeCrafts’ website doesn’t elaborate on or mention these other options.
Gutter Guards America features a stainless steel micro-mesh screen and an aluminum frame. We like Gutter Guards America’s additional service offerings, such as gutter and downspout cleaning, installation and repair. Customer reviews are mostly positive, with a 4.5-star average rating on Trustpilot.
Customer reviews indicate that Gutter Guards America suffers when it comes to communication and scheduling practices. Online complaints mention failure to call back, multiple reschedulings and late arrivals. These issues are reflected in our survey results, as Gutter Guards America had a higher-than-average number of respondents reporting late arrivals.
Begin the Gutter Guards America installation process by filling out a form or calling its customer service line. A representative will ask for preliminary information before scheduling an inspection date.
A salesperson will arrive at your home and inspect your roof and gutter system. They’ll check for anything that could impact the cost of your installation, including gutter condition, length of guttering, damage to your roof or fascia, broken downspouts, roof pitch and landscaping. They’ll generate a free quote and schedule an installation date if you agree to the price.
When technicians arrive, they’ll complete any needed repairs before installing the guards on your existing gutters. Since Gutter Guards America offers full roofing services, they can handle any problems surrounding your gutter guards, such as repairing fascia, replacing flashing and installing new gutters. Once your gutters are installed and all repairs are complete, they’ll clean up any remaining debris and answer questions before departing.
Gutter Guards America uses a stainless steel micro-mesh filter set atop an aluminum base with a steel frame. The screen possesses “S”-shaped ridges (called “S-bend technology”) to aid in filtration and self-cleaning.
Customer reviews are largely positive on its performance. There are few reports of system failures, clogs or overflows. While we have yet to test Gutter Guards America’s products firsthand, we have tested professionally installed and DIY brands that are similar in design and materials. Our testing found that stainless steel micro-mesh guards perform the best, especially for pine needles, by blocking the most debris while filtering heavy water flow.
Gutter Guards America’s BBB page has an A+ rating but almost no reviews. There are more than 500 reviews on its Trustpilot page, 88% of which are 4 to 5 stars. Positive responses mention the strong performance of the guards and self-cleaning properties. One review noted it was holding pine needles at bay. Multiple customers also praised the politeness of its representatives.
Negative reviews mention poor communication and scheduling problems, such as late callbacks, failure to notify customers of installation dates and late arrivals.
According to our survey, Gutter Guards America offers lower-than-average prices for professional gutter guard installation. Just under 240 Gutter Guards America customers responded to our survey, reporting an average cost of $3,545 for a 200-foot gutter guard system.
Gutter Guards America provides a transferable lifetime warranty for its products. Its website does not provide many details, such as its conditions or limitations. However, it offers a general overview of coverage, stating, “Under this warranty, we guarantee that the quality and workmanship of our services will meet your highest standards. Should you encounter any issues within the warranty period, our dedicated team of professionals is just a call away, ready to address and resolve them promptly and efficiently.”
Unlike the other guards on this list, Raptor is a DIY gutter guard. Produced by GutterGlove, Raptor features a high-quality, stainless steel micro-mesh screen fit into an aluminum frame.
Raptor comes with efficient and easy-to-understand instructions that we used when installing this product during testing. Raptor’s website hosts additional manuals and walk-throughs for installing its products on uncommon or complex gutters (such as half-round systems) and roofs (such as metal or slate tiles).
Raptor’s filter lacks reinforcing substructures, making it susceptible to bending and denting. The screen easily bent when we installed it onto the gutter. We then conducted a stress test, which resulted in several dents from impacts. Additionally, the aluminum frame extends past the screen mesh by roughly an eighth of an inch. This minor design flaw led to gaps between each section. We used tin snips to clip the frames down and make them flush with the screens.
Raptor is exclusively sold on Amazon. Before ordering your guards, measure the total length of your gutter system to determine how much material to purchase. For a 200-foot gutter system, you’ll need to buy five of its 48-foot units.
When purchasing Raptor products for our gutter testing, we found the process to be quick, efficient and devoid of problems. The product arrived within a few business days and was undamaged.
Installing the guards was relatively simple and made easier by the helpful instruction booklet Raptor included. The one difficulty was modifying the back of the guard so it would fit on the gutter system, but Raptor’s website had additional instructions on how to accomplish this.
Raptor gutter guards use the same filter type as professionally installed products, making them a cut above other DIY guards. When testing Raptor, we used an assortment of debris to determine how well its micro-mesh filter functioned. The materials included in this test were deciduous tree leaves, long- and short-leaf pine needles, seedpods, pine cones, twigs and shingle grit. Raptor’s screen successfully prevented almost all debris from passing through, except for dirt and small shingle grit particles.
We poured water at different speeds and intensities to recreate varying levels of rainfall. Raptor scored well in this test, withstanding most simulated rainfall and only overflowing in heavy amounts. The guards completely prevented both long- and short-leaf pine needles from entering our test gutter. The water pushed most large debris off the surface of the guard, with only pine needles, seedpods and shingle grit remaining. However, we were able to remove this material easily by brushing the guard.
Raptor’s Amazon page has collected more than 5,000 reviews and is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars. Customers praise the quality of Raptor’s mesh screen and its easy installation and low price. Customers dealing with pine needles appear especially pleased with Raptor, noting the guard’s ability to block pine needles and prevent clogging.
Negative reviews point to Raptor’s tricky installations. Some customers complained about the need to modify or alter Raptor’s product to fit on their fascia board or gutter system. Raptor also has a tendency to collect snow and freeze over. Some customers report that Raptor’s mesh is too fine and won’t allow snow to pass through, resulting in ice dams.
Raptor offers different guard models designed to fit gutters of various sizes. The standard pack contains a stainless steel micro-mesh guard, which costs $124.99 for 48 feet. The cost to purchase enough of these guards for a 200-linear-foot gutter system is $624.95. You’ll need the “super 6-inch” pack for wider gutters (6- or 7-inch gutters). This pack costs $149.99 and will total $749.95 to cover a 200-foot gutter system.
Raptor gutter guards come with a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty. The warranty can be found in its instruction manual, including terms and coverage exclusions. It only protects you from faults in the construction of the guard and its parts and does not cover labor.
Not all guards are effective against pine needles; some fail to block them from entering your gutters. Below, we’ll review general guidelines for finding reliable gutter guards that can keep pine needles at bay.
The best material for gutter guards is stainless steel. Stainless steel is the strongest material commonly used to construct gutter guards. It’s stronger than aluminum, longer-lasting than PVC and less expensive than luxury materials, such as copper.
Stainless steel is an ideal material for a micro-mesh guard, which our research shows is the best guard type for blocking pine needles. We tested several micro-mesh guards and noted that those made from plastic or PVC failed to function. The stamped plastic had small ridges along the edge of the mesh perforations. It appeared that these ridges made the gaps too small and prevented water from flowing properly. By contrast, the smooth wires of the stainless steel guards blocked all materials while letting water pass through.
During testing, we found that two designs stood up to pine needles: micro-mesh and foam gutter guards. These guards blocked all pine needles from entering our test gutters. We recommend micro-mesh guards over foam because the latter degrades when exposed to UV rays, making it a short-term solution. If you experience a constant buildup of pine needles, micro-mesh gutter guards are typically the best long-term solution.
Pine needles cause two major problems for gutter systems. Most importantly, they can build up and create clogs. Over time, clogs inside your gutter system result in overflows and blockages, causing water damage and other expensive issues. Second, many pine needles are acidic, so much so that they can even acidify soil. As pine needles accumulate inside your gutter system and exude this acidity, they can wear down the seals between connectors.
According to our survey of 1,500 customers of the top gutter guard companies, the average cost of a gutter guard system is between $3,000 and $4,500. This price is an average, and some brands charge much higher rates. Factors such as home height, total length of guttering, roof pitch and gutter condition can all affect the cost of your gutter guard installation.
Docia Boylen, owner of Handyman Connection in Golden, Colorado, highlights the importance of receiving detailed pricing up front. “Does [the price] include installation? Does it include the clips? What size? Is it going to fit my gutters?” she said.
Be mindful of your home’s particular setup, too. If you’re not careful, your gutter configuration could impact your price on installation day. “You don’t want to buy the 4-inch ones, and then they come out and say ‘Oh, you have 6-inch gutters. It’s going to be more [expensive],’” she said.
The best way to clean gutters is by manually removing leaves twice per year, at the end of spring and fall. Removing all debris at the end of each season prevents the need for repeat cleanings.
You can make this job quicker, easier and less frequent with a good set of gutter guards. Gutter guards direct debris to the ground and self-clean when exposed to rain. This process results in less clutter collecting on top of your gutter system.
Since the majority of gutter guards act as a flat shelf, the remaining debris is easier to access and remove. Without gutter guards, you’ll need to use a gloved hand or scoop to clean out the gunk from inside each section. Gutter guards allow you to get most debris off by spraying it with a hose or brushing it.
Even with reliable gutter guards, pine needles are among the most persistent types of debris. Most large debris is swept off efficient gutter guards when it rains, but small materials such as pine needles may remain and accumulate on top of the guard. A good spraying from a hose is typically enough to remove them. However, the small gaps between the frame and screen on some guards can trap pine needles and require a brush or gloved hand to remove stuck debris.
A gutter guard’s life span depends on its materials, maintenance and your home’s location. The better you care for your gutter guards, the longer they’ll last. If you live in a region with a mild climate, the materials of your gutters and guards will last longer. On average, plastic guards last between five and 10 years, while metal guards (such as stainless steel or aluminum) last between 10 and 20 years.
We’ve found that micro-mesh gutter guards are the best solution for blocking pine needles from entering your home’s drainage system. LeafFilter would be our top pick, but HomeCraft and Gutter Guards America offer professional installation services and impressive micro-mesh products.
If you’re a DIY-minded homeowner, consider installing Raptor to block pesky pine needles. We recommend requesting quotes and scheduling free inspections before choosing a gutter guard provider.
To connect consumers with the right gutter protection solutions, we research and rate both professional gutter guard providers and do-it-yourself (DIY) products. Our aim is to provide thorough yet digestible information you need before investing in gutter guards.
We synthesize this information into review standards that focus on key aspects of the gutter guard buying experience and score each company out of 100. This score translates to the 5-star rating you see in our reviews. Professional providers and DIY products require slightly different analysis, which you can read more about in our full methodology.
BBB ratings are accurate as of January 2024.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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