Finally got tired of climbing up the ladder every other weekend to clear out soggy leaves and gunk from my gutters, so I decided to give mesh guards a shot. Figured I'd share how I did it, maybe it'll help someone else or maybe someone has a better way.
First off, measured the gutters and bought some aluminum mesh rolls from the hardware store. Cut them into manageable sections with tin snips (wear gloves, trust me). Then I bent the edges slightly so they'd fit snugly inside the gutter lip. Secured them with gutter screws every couple feet or so. Took me a good afternoon, but honestly wasn't too bad once I got into a rhythm.
Only thing I'm not totally sure about is if they'll hold up long-term or if there's a better way to secure them without drilling holes. Also, wondering if anyone's tried plastic mesh instead of aluminum—does it hold up okay in harsh weather?
"Only thing I'm not totally sure about is if they'll hold up long-term or if there's a better way to secure them without drilling holes."
I did something similar last fall, and so far the aluminum mesh has been solid through some pretty nasty storms. One tip I'd add is to slightly overlap each section to avoid gaps where debris sneaks in. Haven't tried plastic mesh myself, but I'd worry about UV damage making it brittle over time. Curious if anyone's had luck with snap-in gutter guards instead of screws...seems easier but maybe less secure?
I put snap-in guards on my gutters about two years ago—figured I'd dodge the whole drilling hassle. Honestly, they're holding up better than expected, even through some gnarly windstorms. But...there's always a "but"... every now and then, squirrels decide it's party time and manage to pop a section loose. Not a huge deal, just gotta snap them back in place every couple of months or so.
Your aluminum mesh method sounds solid, especially with the overlap tip. I've seen plastic mesh crumble after a few summers—UV rays are no joke, man. Aluminum definitely seems like the sturdier bet there.
Bottom line: if you don't mind occasionally climbing up to re-snap a guard or two (or dealing with squirrel shenanigans), snap-ins are pretty decent. But if you're aiming for "set it and forget it," your screwed-in aluminum approach might be smarter in the long haul. Either way, props for dodging gutter-cleaning duty—it's gotta be one of life's worst chores, right?
I've managed properties for years and seen just about every gutter guard method out there. Your snap-in experience sounds pretty typical—good enough to avoid major headaches, but not exactly maintenance-free. Squirrels are surprisingly persistent little critters; I've had tenants call me about them chewing through plastic mesh guards more than once. Aluminum mesh definitely holds up better, especially if you're overlapping sections like you mentioned.
One thing I'd add: make sure your aluminum mesh isn't too fine. I've seen some folks go super fine to keep out pine needles, only to have the mesh clog up with dirt and debris over time. Then you're back up there cleaning again, defeating the whole purpose.
But overall, your approach seems solid and practical. DIY solutions like yours often outperform pricier commercial products, especially when installed thoughtfully. And yeah, gutter cleaning is right up there with unclogging drains—necessary but never enjoyable. Good on you for finding a workable solution.
Good points about mesh fineness—seen plenty of homeowners frustrated by that exact issue. Aluminum mesh is usually my go-to recommendation too, but if drilling holes bothers you, gutter clips can work pretty well without compromising durability.
