ArmourGuard vs. Reverse Curve Gutter Guards
Reverse Curve Gutter Guards – How They Work And Compare
The Reverse Curve Gutter Guards are the oldest technology dating back to the early 1900’s. Many different brands have incorporated design changes to improve the performance and durability. Water tension, sometimes referred to as surface tension or water adhesion, guides the water into the gutter system. The design requires an opening of ¼” to 1” on the front nose of the gutter cover. This design works well to shed larger leaves and debris but smaller particulates such as seed pods, small leaves and pine needles are trapped in the flowing water and dragged into that opening causing the nose or even the gutter to clog. Additionally it creates an opening where, bees, birds, mice and other small animals build nests, again causing the gutter system to be clogged.
They are made from a variety of different materials such as plastic or aluminum sheet metal. The aluminum products are more durable than the plastics, but are still subject to damage due to falling limbs, hail, or heavy snow and ice.
An area of concern has to do with the installation of the product. Many installers are unfamiliar with proper installation procedures and will nail or screw the product to the roof decking. This often creates Roof and Gutter problems over time and should be avoided.
Reverse Curve products were generally rated fair with Consumers Reports and did not perform well under heavy rains.
Examples of Reverse Curve Gutter Guards: Gutter Helmet, LeafGuard™, Gutter Topper, LeaFree™, Leafproof®
In contrast the Reverse Curve Gutter Guards – How They Work And Compare
The ArmourGuard family of micro-mesh systems are able to filter out the smallest debris, including shingle grit, which make them the most desirable type of gutter protection systems. Consumer Reports Magazine in September 2010 favored this type of gutter guard system because of their ability to filter out debris and, in most cases, handled the most amount of water without over shooting the gutters.