"Honestly, I think even cheaper guards could've done the job if they'd just been installed right from the start."
Pretty much nailed it here. I've tried both premium and budget guards over the years, and honestly, proper installation and occasional cleaning matter way more than brand or price. Premium ones might last a bit longer, but not enough to justify the huge markup.
Totally agree on installation being key. Just installed some mid-range guards myself—watched way too many YouTube vids first, haha. Took my time aligning them properly, and so far they're holding up great. Fingers crossed they survive the fall leaf apocalypse...
Good call on taking your time with alignment—I rushed mine a bit last year and ended up having to redo half of them after the first big storm. Lesson learned, haha. Curious though, did you go with metal or plastic guards? I've heard mixed things about plastic ones warping or cracking over time, but metal ones seem pricier. Wondering if the extra cost is actually worth it long-term...
Yeah, totally agree about alignment—seen plenty of gutter disasters from rushed installs. As for metal vs plastic, honestly, I'd steer clear of plastic guards. Sure, they're cheaper upfront, but I've inspected enough homes to see how quickly they warp or crack under harsh weather. Metal guards might pinch your wallet initially, but they're sturdier and hold up way better long-term. If you're planning to stay put awhile, metal's probably worth the extra cash...just my two cents.
"Metal guards might pinch your wallet initially, but they're sturdier and hold up way better long-term."
Yeah, metal's definitely the safer bet. I've seen plastic guards get brittle surprisingly fast, especially in colder climates. Plus, metal ones handle heavy debris better—less clogging overall. Worth it in my book.
