The 5 Best Gutter Guards for Pine Needles (2024 Guide)
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Pine needles are some of the most difficult debris to keep out of your gutters. They are small and acidic and tend to get lodged in the small gaps between gutter sections. The best way to block pine needles is with a quality gutter guard. The best gutter guards for pine needles are micro-mesh systems. These guards’ tightly-knit screens can keep materials such as pine needles and shingle grit out of your gutter system.
We’ve researched major gutter guard brands and installed and tested gutter guards on their ability to prevent pine needles from entering a gutter. Our research revealed that micro-mesh and foam gutter guards perform the best. LeafFilter’s stainless steel micro-mesh screen is our top recommended gutter guard for pine needle prevention. We surveyed 129 LeafFilter customers and found that more than a quarter of them had issues with pine needles before installing gutter guards. Of those who used LeafFilter to block pine needles, 85% were very satisfied with the guard’s performance. Below, we’ll share our test results and explain why LeafFilter is our top recommended guard.
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Key Takeaways
Top 5 Best Gutter Guards for Pine Needles
Compare the Best Gutter Guards for Pine Needles
| Product Image | Star Rating | Link | ||
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| LeafFilter | |  | Visit Site | |
| HomeCraft |  |  | Visit Site | |
| All American Gutter Protection |  |  | Visit Site | |
| Raptor |  |  | Visit Site | |
| Waterlock Pro |  | Visit Site |
| LeafFilter | |
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| HomeCraft | |
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| Raptor | |
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| Waterlock Pro | |
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How Much Do Gutter Guards for Pine Needles Cost?
Gutter guards that block pine needles include micro-mesh, foam, and high-end reverse-curve systems, which are among the most expensive to install.
Determining the cost of a professional gutter guard installation is difficult because companies typically require an at-home inspection to offer pricing. However, you can get a rough estimate based on national averages for each type of gutter guard system. We surveyed customers of the top gutter guard brands to find out how much they paid for their systems. According to our respondents, micro-mesh guards typically cost between $4,000 to $5,500. A high-quality reverse-curve system can cost up to $7,300.
It’s easier to estimate the cost of a DIY system because DIY product pages and Amazon pages provide pricing. You can calculate pricing based on how much material you need to buy to cover the length of your gutter system. Depending on the type of guard you choose, you can expect to pay between $170 to $850 for a DIY gutter guard system. The following table shows a breakdown of costs based on the type of gutter guard you choose. DIY costs are based on pricing we found on Amazon at the time of writing.
| Gutter guard type | Total gutter guard installation cost | Gutter guard material cost for 200 linear feet | Gutter guard material cost per linear foot | Professional installation cost per linear foot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic screen | $170–$200 | $170–$200 | $0.85–$1 | DIY |
| Foam | $200–$400 | $200–$400 | $1–$2 | DIY |
| Brush | $600–$850 | $600–$850 | $3–$4.25 | DIY |
| Perforated aluminum | $265–$300 | $265–$300 | $1.32–$1.50 | DIY |
| Steel screen | $300–$700 | $300–$700 | $1.50–$3.50 | DIY |
| Micro-mesh | $4,000–$5,500 | $550–$1,000+ | $2.75–$5 | $20–$27.50 |
| Reverse-curve | $3,600–$7,300 | $600–$1,900 | $3–$6.50 | $18–$36.50 |
What Our Gutter Guard Testing Told Us
To determine the best type of gutter guards for pine needles, we conducted firsthand testing of the most popular gutter guard types. Once installed on our gutter model, we subjected the guard to a series of tests to determine its filtration efficiency, durability, and overall quality. Our testing included the following steps:
- Water passage test: We poured water on the shingles above the guard to simulate rainfall at varying intensities. This tested the guard’s ability to promote water flow.
- Filtration test: We placed pine needles, shingle grit, deciduous tree leaves, seedpods, and twigs directly on the guard and the shingles above it. We then applied water to see which materials passed through the guard or were knocked to the ground.
- Durability and quality inspection: We assessed the quality of the materials, the design of the guard, and the guard’s flexibility and rigidity. If the guard seemed easily damaged, we applied a stress test and noted any damage, such as dents, chips, cracks, or detachments.
Gutter Guard Testing Takeaways
What Should You Know About Pine Needles and Gutters?
Homeowners dealing with pine needles may be surprised at how much hassle these little leaves can cause. Due to their small size and unique shape, pine needles can slip into gutter systems and collect until they create clogs. Here’s a rundown of what you need to know about pine needles before purchasing a gutter guard designed to manage them.
How Do Pine Needles Damage Gutters?
Pine needles can lead to damaged gutters because they clog up your gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters cause overflows, leading to potential water damage on your walls, fascia, and roof. Other expensive issues that can be caused by clogged gutters include foundation shifting, gutter collapses, and soil erosion.
What makes pine needles more damaging than other types of debris, such as deciduous tree leaves and seedpods, is that they’re more difficult to clean out and block from entering your gutters. Pine needles are small and find their way into gaps, cracks, and openings. Other debris can wash over small openings, such as the seams between gutter sections, but pine needles often lodge there and snag other debris. Pine needles are so tiny that they can slip through many gutter guards or screens.
Which Gutter Guards Are Best for Preventing Pine Needles?
After testing every type of gutter guard, we determined that micro-mesh and foam guards are the best for preventing pine needles. These guard types consistently blocked pine needles from entering our gutter system and allowed water to pass through the gutters. Some products, such as reverse-curve gutter guards, blocked most pine needles but overflowed when exposed to heavy rainfall.
Note that material quality is paramount when choosing a gutter guard, especially when it comes to micro-mesh. Micro-mesh guards need to be made of high-quality metal, preferably stainless steel, to function correctly. When we tested gutter guards with a plastic mesh screen, they caused overflows, came loose, and underperformed overall.
Should You Go With DIY or Professional Installation?
You can install some gutter guards on your own, but you’ll need to choose the right DIY guard and be comfortable working on a ladder. Review the installation instructions of your chosen DIY guards carefully and take precautions when installing them. Accidental damage to your roof or gutter system can lead to expensive repairs or even void your roof warranty.
Some gutter guard brands can only be installed professionally. If you want your home to be equipped with the best gutter guards for pine needles, consider professional installation. While it costs more, using a professional gutter guard company comes with benefits, including warranty protection, high-quality installations, and access to additional services such as gutter cleaning.
Are Gutter Guards for Pine Needles Worth It?
Gutter guards for pine needles can be worth it if you want to reduce the time and energy needed to maintain your gutters. Micro-mesh and foam guards can keep pine needles out of your gutters, preventing clogs and extending the lifespan of your gutter system.
Gutter guards also simplify the gutter cleaning process. Because the pine needles accumulate on a flat surface instead of within a trough-like gutter, a light brushing is often all that’s required to wash them off. Unprotected gutters should be cleaned at least twice yearly, while systems with gutter guards only need cleaning once every year—depending on tree density in your area.
How Do Regions and Climate Impact the Performance of Gutter Guards?
Consider your region and climate before purchasing a gutter guard for pine needles. Your climate significantly impacts the performance of your gutter guard. Areas with heavier rainfall require a guard with better water passage performance. If you live in colder regions, installing micro-mesh guards can contribute to the creation of ice dams. Features such as heat type can counteract this problem.
Your location also impacts the amount of pine needles around your home. While pines are one of the most common trees in the United States, Northeastern states and states with higher altitudes have large numbers of pine trees and, therefore, more intense needle drops.
Our Top Picks for Gutter Guards That Protect From Pine Needles
LeafFilter
Best Filtration
HomeCraft
Best Additional Services
Raptor
Most Customizable DIY Guard
Waterlock Pro
Best Warranty for DIY Brand
Should You Invest in Gutter Guards for Pine Needles?
If your yard is consumed by pine trees and you find yourself having to get your gutters cleaned regularly, then we recommend that you have a professional install micro-mesh gutter guards. It is a worthwhile investment that prevents clogs and reduces the effort and cost of cleaning your gutters. We recommend LeafFilter and HomeCraft for professional installation as well as Raptor as a high-performing DIY product.
FAQ About the Best Gutter Guards for Pine Needles
When is the best time to clean gutter guards for pine needles?
The best time to clean gutter guards for pine needles is at the end of fall. Pine trees drop their needles once every few years, typically during the late summer to mid-fall for most species.
Gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year, once at the end of fall and again at the end of spring, if you don’t have gutter guards installed. A quality gutter guard reduces the frequency of cleaning to once yearly, either at the end of spring or fall.
What is the easiest way to remove pine needles from your gutters?
The easiest way to remove pine needles from your gutters is with a hose and soft bristle brush or scoop. Spraying your gutters with a hose removes most debris, while clogs can be removed with a scoop. Gutter guards make cleaning easier because debris can be washed off the top of the guards with a hose. You can dislodge any pine needles that are caught in small gaps or cracks with a brush.
Do pine needles damage your gutters and roof?
Pine needles can damage your gutters and roof by causing clogs in your gutter system. When combined with moisture, pollen, and other debris weight, pine needles can contribute to the slow erosion of your gutter system. Over time, clogged gutters can lead to overflows and water damage to your roof.
Are pine needles acidic?
Pine needles, pollen, and other plant matter are acidic. Pine needles have a pH of 3.8 (7 is neutral). Some sources claim that pine needles can acidify the soil, but this is a myth. Pine trees grow better in acidic soils and often choke out grass with heavy needle drops and dense root systems.
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our gutter guard recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each gutter guard product and provider. We conduct research by reviewing product specifications and provider website information, speaking with customer representatives, and analyzing customer reviews. We then score each provider against our review standards for gutter guard design, customer support, the quote process, services, and reviews to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
