By Daniel Weadley
© DanielsRoof.com

Gutter mesh is one of the simplest products designed to keep leaves, twigs and other debris out of the gutter system. This guard is suspended above the gutter by easy to install clips. Debris sits on top of the mesh until it dries out and then blows away with the wind. Well, that is what most manufacturers claim.

This guard has been on sale for decades from various well known outlets such as B&Q and Wickes. It is still available to buy online, both Amazon and Ebay sell several different variants. It is usually packaged in a roll with either plastic or metal clips that can be used on the most popular types of guttering.

The product is best used on either semi-round or Squareline gutters, it is not suitable to high capacity rainwater systems such as the Niagra or Ogee profiles.

Where to Buy

The Gutter Mesh can be purchased from Amazon hereor via Ebay. You will most likely see this product in hardware stores and in garden centres. Specialist roofing companies may also keep a good level of stock.

Installation

One of the advantages of this guard is how simple it is to install, you do not need to adjust the gutter in anyway. The mesh simply lays on top of the gutter system and is held in place with the supplied clips that should be spaced around 500mm apart.

The mesh can be trimmed to the desired length with scissors or a Stanley knife.

Because the mesh is quite flimsy, it is advisable to rest any ladders onto the wall and not directly onto the guttering. A stand-off ladder attachment would come in handy of you have one.

Not The Most Effective Product

One of the issues home owners may encounter with this product is that heavy wet roof moss and pine needles tend to collect on top of the guard and cause it to collapse into the gutter, thus rendering this somewhat flimsy product useless.

If you do choose this product then try to get some additional support clips to prop up the mesh, it really doesn’t take much for this product to sag and twist. The manufacturers state that the leaves etc will blow away with the wind, however in my opinion that just doesn’t happen. Instead the debris collects on top of the mesh until it gets so heavy that it collapses into the gutter and causes a blockage

This product is also so thin that it curls up at the edges and becomes very brittle after exposure to the sunlight.

Pros

• It’s very cheap
• Keeps out large leaves
• Easy to install for homeowners/DIYers
• Cannot be seen from street level

Cons

• Flimsy and becomes brittle after UV exposure
• Collapses into gutter under weight of wet moss/leaves
• Wind can blow it off the guttering quite easily
• Pine needle get stuck in the mesh

Alternative Products

Here is a list of other products you may wish to consider instead, they are in my opinion much more likely to keep leaves and other debris out of your gutters:

Gutter Hedgehog – This is a brush like product that is laid into the gutter, it is manufactured in 4 metre lengths and can removed and re-installed very easily. It doesn’t keep everything out of the gutter but does allow water to run through effectively.

Gutter Foam – This product doesn’t work as well as  I initially expected. Here is my experience of this product and why I will never use it again.

Gutter Grid – This is similar to the Gutter Mesh but is far more rigid, it won’t collapse into the gutter but does have large holes that catch pine needles.

Downpipe Filter – This filter only costs a few £s buy will prevent costly blockages in the underground pipework. Use with or without gutter guards.