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to learn more about our leaf protection systems:
LeafBeater 
Black Magic
GutterStuff
Leaf Relief
Traditional screening products have an open mesh that easily allows water to flow into the gutters. These open-mesh screens also often work well in the Fall with dry leaves. However, in the Spring season, these open-mesh screens become a magnet for the various systems designed by Mother Nature to deliver seed-pods. Maple 'helicopter' seeds and Oak 'spaghetti' pollen stick to open-mesh screens. We recommend an occasional sweeping of the screen to maintain performance.
Lower-quality screening products can be packed down into the gutter by a heavy layer of wet leaves or snow, and many of the less expensive products simply won't stay in the gutter at all and are prone to blow away. Our LeafBeater screens are manufactured from heavy gauge aluminum with a stiffner bar on the front edge. Stainless steel screws secure the guard to the gutter. Many of the traditional screening products and "closed" products are also unsightly from the street. Our Black Magic leaf guard simply disappears.
To counter the weaknesses of the open-mesh screening systems, many companies offer some type of "closed" gutter protector. Using a helmet, louver or staircase system as a cap - the bulk of the gutter itself is blocked off, preventing leaves and seed-pods from getting into the gutter. The downside of these systems is that by blocking off up to 90% of the gutter opening, you also reduce the amount of water the gutter is able to collect. This problem is more prevalent on homes that have steep-pitched roofs or roofs with valley areas that collect water on the roof level and channel it to one small gutter area. Many of these systems continue to let small debris enter the gutter and this debris may clog the downspouts over time. These systems depend on surface adhesion, that is water ‘sticking’ to the surface. In driving rain situations the rain drops break the adhesion causing the water to shed off. During the winter snow melt off water does not obtain enough speed to follow the curve of the hood and enter into the gutter. The water drips off the hood and forms icicles.
While we continue to believe there is no perfect gutter screening system, we have found one product we feel provides the best protection on the market. GutterStuff® Foam Filter Insert is a patent-pending material that completely fills the gutter. The full gutter surface remains open to allow for proper water collection. Leaves and seed-pods simply lay on top where they are blown away or wash away in the rain. As the product is placed inside the gutter under the hidden-hanger, it cannot blow out or become dislodged. When cleaning becomes necessary, a stiff-bristled broom is all that is needed to clean the surface.
As always—there is a compromise. Because the water must drain through the Foam Filter Insert the collection rate of water is somewhat reduced. Our experience has shown this product works well in moderate to heavy rains - but like other systems it too can become overwhelmed during extreme rainfall conditions. To compensate for extreme rainfalls we suggest the use of larger downspouts.
GutterStuff Foam Filter Insert is not intended to be a totally maintenance-free system, we recommend occasional sweeping of the surface debris as water flow is reduced to maintain performance. We feel GutterStuff offers the best protection for an open gutter system while providing a reduced maintenance schedule for homeowners.
Click the links above to learn more about the leaf protection
systems offered by LaPorte Seamless Gutter.