Use the footage on a quote if you have one. Most houses have 150 to 200 feet.
Leaking seams, sagging runs or rusted gutters usually mean replacing.
With gutters that still work, LeafFilter usually comes in a little lower.
LeafFilter is figured at $15 to $45 a foot and LeafGuard at $20 to $45. New gutters are $6 to $16 a foot. The local option uses the micro-mesh figures from our gutter guard cost calculator, with more for taller houses.
The one difference that decides the price
LeafFilter is a guard. A stainless steel micro-mesh sits in a frame that fixes onto your existing gutters. LeafGuard is a gutter. It is a one-piece seamless aluminum gutter with a curved hood built into the top, so your old gutters come down and the whole system is replaced.
That is why a straight price-per-foot comparison can mislead you. LeafGuard's number includes new gutters and LeafFilter's doesn't. The useful question is whether your gutters need replacing.
Side by side
| LeafFilter | LeafGuard | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price installed | About $15 to $45 a foot | About $20 to $45 a foot, higher on complex houses |
| 200 feet of gutter | Roughly $3,000 to $9,000 | Roughly $4,000 to $9,000 |
| What goes on the house | Micro-mesh guard on your existing gutters | New one-piece gutter with a built-in hood |
| Pine needles and small debris | Fine mesh keeps most of it out | Some can slip under the hood with the water |
| Big leaves | Sit on top until they dry and blow off | Slide off the hood |
| Heavy rain | A film of pollen or grit can slow water; brush it off | Very fast water can overshoot the curve |
| Warranty | Lifetime, transfers to a new owner | Lifetime no-clog guarantee |
Which one fits your house
LeafFilter, or local micro-mesh, if:
- Your gutters are sound and properly pitched.
- You have pine trees, seed pods or a lot of roof grit.
- You want the lowest price for the protection itself.
LeafGuard, or new gutters plus a guard, if:
- Your gutters are old, leaking or sagging and need replacing anyway.
- You want one company responsible for gutters and protection together.
- Most of your debris is big leaves.
Maybe neither, if you live in a one-story house and don't mind a ladder. A store-bought micro-mesh kit does much of the same job for a few dollars a foot. See whether guards pay off for you.
How to compare two real quotes
- Turn both into a price per foot using the footage on each quote. If the footage differs by more than 10 percent, ask why.
- Add new gutters to the LeafFilter quote if its installer says yours need replacing, so you compare the same job.
- Check what's bundled: cleaning, repairs, downspouts and hauling away old gutters.
- Read both warranties, not the summaries. Note what counts as a clog and who pays for a service visit.
- Get a third bid from a local installer for a guard alone, or for seamless gutters plus a guard.
Check your quotes
- LeafFilter quote checkMicro-mesh on your existing gutters, about $15 to $45 a foot
- LeafGuard quote checkNew one-piece gutters with a hood, about $20 to $45 a foot
- Gutter Helmet quote checkAluminum hood on your existing gutters, about $17 to $45 a foot
Common questions
Is LeafFilter the same company as LeafGuard?
No. They are separate companies that sell competing products. The names are often mixed up, and "leaf guard" is also used loosely to mean any gutter guard.
Which is cheaper, LeafFilter or LeafGuard?
If your gutters are in good shape, LeafFilter usually is, because you only pay for the guard. If you need new gutters anyway, LeafGuard often is, because LeafFilter plus a separate set of new gutters adds roughly $6 to $16 a foot.
How much does LeafFilter cost compared with LeafGuard per foot?
LeafFilter usually runs about $15 to $45 a foot installed. LeafGuard usually runs about $20 to $45 a foot, with new gutters included, and HomeGuide reports quotes up to $70 on complicated houses.
Which works better with pine needles?
Fine mesh. LeafFilter is designed to keep out small debris that can slip under a hood. Expect to brush the top of the mesh now and then, because pollen and grit can form a film on it.
Can LeafFilter go on brand-new gutters?
Yes. It fits standard gutters, so new seamless gutters from a local installer can take it. If LeafFilter offers to replace the gutters as well, ask for that as a separate price you can compare.
Will either one mean no more gutter maintenance?
No. Both cut the work a lot, but mesh can need an occasional brush and a hood can let small debris in. Plan on a quick check each year, especially after the fall leaf drop.
Is this site connected to LeafFilter or LeafGuard?
No. Gutter Guard Calculator is independent. LeafFilter and LeafGuard are trademarks of their owners and are named here only to help you compare quotes.
Price ranges compiled from HomeGuide's LeafGuard and LeafFilter cost guides, and This Old House. Prices last checked November 5, 2026. LeafFilter and LeafGuard are trademarks of their owners; this site is not affiliated with either.