Gutter Strainer vs MicroGuard: Which Offers the Best Gutter Protection?

If you're looking for ways to protect your gutters, property, and potentially reduce the number of cleanings, you've undoubtedly come across gutter strainers and MicroGuard gutter protection. While both gutter strainers and gutter protectors have similar goals, one product is proven to offer superior performance and protection. Let's take a closer look at gutter strainers vs gutter guards to see which product is up to the task.

What Are Gutter Strainers?

Gutter strainers — also known as downspout strainers — are uniquely engineered to prevent your downspout from getting clogged. And clogged downspouts are a huge concern because they can cause your gutters to overflow. The most common types of gutter strainers are basket strainers or birdcage gutter strainers manufactured from either copper, aluminum, or steel.

Downspout strainers are especially important if your gutters are connected to an underground drain — where if debris is allowed to accumulate can cause a very expensive and serious blockage. The unclogging of an underground system will require the system to be replaced or require expensive equipment which typically means expensive service calls.

Key Downspout Strainer Considerations

It's critical to note if you have copper gutters, you should always choose copper gutter strainers. Failure to do so can result in galvanic corrosion. Copper will chemically react with aluminum through a process called electrolysis. This will eventually cause holes to form in your gutters as well as damage to the gutter strainers. At the same time, you should never use copper strainers with aluminum gutters - whereby the same galvanic corrosion can and will occur.

What Is MicroGuard Gutter Protection?

The MicroGuard Gutter Protection System is tested, tried, and proven to protect your gutters from leaves, pine needles, and a range of other debris. Manufactured by Englert Inc., one of the longest lasting manufacturers in the industry, MicroGuard utilizes the most advanced micro-filtration technology to provide superior protection. MicroGuard features angled micro-perforations working to prevent larger debris from sticking to the screen while effectively channeling water into the gutter system and away from your home.

In addition, MicroGuard is designed with a raised, stepped groove system that prevents water from splashing back onto your home and making its way underneath your shingles. Every single component of MicroGuard has been formulated to integrate with your roof and gutter to create a smooth, streamlined appeal.

With MicroGuard, you confidently say goodbye to or significantly reduce cleanings of leaves, acorns, small twigs, pine needles, and other debris. At the same time, MicroGuard can offer you a host of other benefits, including:

Save time and money with reduced cleanings frequency
Prevent mice and infestations caused by moldy, rotten wood attracting vermin.
Act as a physical barrier to rodents, possum, and birds
Help to alleviate gutter freezing and ice dams.
Act as an extra physical barrier for fire protection
Help prevent corrosion and rust
Improve the flow of water through your gutters
And more

Gutter Strainer vs MicroGuard Gutter Protection

For superior gutter protection, the innovative MicroGuard system will meet your needs and exceed your expectations. While the small wire gutter strainer structure may be less expensive, it has proven to cause more problems than it solves.

In fact, they are notorious for accelerating the accumulation of debris around the strainer. Once this happens, the strainers will clog up with tiny amount of debris from trees that would typically have no problem passing through the downspout.

These dams of debris will eventually restrict water from flowing out of the downspout. As a result, you may have solved one problem, but you will completely close off the downspout and created an entirely new problem. This can cause your gutters to overflow, which leads to a host of property damage issues, such as:

Vinyl siding damage
Fascia wood rot
Cracked driveways and concrete
Flooded basements
Damage to your roof
Mold and rot in the eaves and soffits
Termite and insect infestations
Rodents
And the list goes on

Some people choose gutter strainers because they are inexpensive and easy to install. However, these same people often find themselves spending more on gutter cleanings and making substantial home repairs because of the resulting water damage.

Should I Use Gutter Strainers and Gutter Protection Together?

When you use the MicroGuard system, your gutter system will enjoy the highest level of protection. Leaves, acorns, pine needles, and other debris will never have the opportunity to enter your gutter system to be filtered by a gutter strainer. This is because MicroGuard offers protection for your entire gutter system, while gutter strainers only protect the downspout.

Contact the Pros at Ned Stevens for Gutter Solutions

If you're a homeowner, you know all too well the frustration associated with cleaning gutters. Simply put, it's a dirty job, but someone has to do it! For this very reason, countless homeowners throughout the Long Island area have consistently turned to the professionals at Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island for fast and affordable solutions for all things gutters.

Contact Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island today for comprehensive gutter care solutions.

Erika Cruz

Erika began her career at Ned Stevens in September 2009 after 4 years of managing investment portfolios for banks and credit unions. She graduated with her business degree in Management in May of 2016 while working Full-time at Ned Stevens. With 11 years of gutter expertise, as office manager she is in charge of the day to day operation and is fully dedicated to her staff and customers.