MasterShield Gutter Guard Review: Does It Work? (2024)
Here’s an overview of our MasterShield gutter guard review:
- EcoWatch Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- State Availability: Nationwide (no specific states listed online)
- BBB Rating: A
- Average Cost: $$$
If you’re thinking about installing gutter guards to protect your gutters from clogs, blockages, icicles and ice dams and to reduce how often you need gutter cleaning, you’ve probably come across MasterShield Gutter Protection. MasterShield is one of the largest gutter guard companies in the U.S., and with over a decade of experience and positive customer reviews, it probably seems like a great option.
In this MasterShield gutter guard review, we’ll be discussing all the company has to offer. We’ll look at the quality and variety of the products it carries, the overall customer experience, the price, the warranty and much more.
By the end, you should know for sure if MasterShield is the right gutter guard company for you and your home. Or, you can click below to get a gutter guard quote right away.
MasterShield Gutter Guards at a Glance
MasterShield Gutter Protection was founded in 2009 by Alex Higginbotham, who is credited with inventing micro mesh gutter technology and several other innovations related to gutters and gutter guards.
For over a decade, MasterShield has provided outstanding customer service and has stood behind its products with a lifetime warranty and a promise to pay insurance deductibles if its product fails and leads to property damage.
Most importantly for our purposes, MasterShield makes an effort to maintain sustainable business practices.
Around 95% of the aluminum for its gutter guard frames and 30% of the stainless steel for its micro mesh comes from recycled materials. The company is also a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, which is committed to improving the sustainability and eco-friendliness of building materials and practices.1
MasterShield needs to be installed by professionals to validate its warranty and prevent voiding your roof warranty, so it’s not suitable for DIY gutter guard installations. Even with paying for a professional installation, it’s relatively affordable, especially given the quality.
We strongly recommend MasterShield for gutter guards and installation, and it routinely ranks within our top five recommended gutter guard companies.
Facts About MasterShield
- EcoWatch rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Material: Recycled Aluminum and stainless steel
- Warranty length: Lifetime (plus a promise to pay insurance deductibles if issues arise)
- State availability: Nationwide (no specific states listed online)
- BBB rating: A
- Average cost: $1.20 to $10 per linear foot (up to $25 per linear foot for gutter and gutter guard replacement)
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MasterShield Pros and Cons
Pros:
+ Uses recycled materials
+ U.S. Green Building Council member
+ High-quality and durable metal frame and mesh
+ Lifetime warranty
+ Promise to pay insurance deductibles if issues arise
+ Founded by a well-known name in the gutter guard industry
+ Positive customer reviews and BBB rating
Cons:
– Only suitable to be installed by professionals (no DIY option)
MasterShield Gutter Guard Review
Our goal in writing this review is to bring you all of the information you need to decide if MasterShield is the right gutter guard company for you and your home. To that end, we’ve assessed the company on quite a few metrics, including the quality of the products, warranty and value provided, ease of installation, cost and more.
Below, we’ll discuss how each of these factors into our overall assessment of the company and the likelihood that it will be able to provide you with a positive experience and a long-lasting product.
Products
MasterShield Gutter Protection provides stainless steel micro mesh gutter guards, which use what’s considered to be the best technology for gutter protection. The gutter guards attach to the edge of your gutters and to the fascia, with the perforated top plate extending from the front of the gutter, over the top of the gutter and under your roof shingles.
When rain and debris slide down your roof and onto the gutter guards, the water flows down through the small holes in the plate, and the debris slides over the guard and onto the ground.
MasterShield uses an aluminum frame and a stainless steel mesh plate, so you get highly durable materials that are guaranteed to last a lifetime. The micro mesh has tiny holes that allow water through but stop virtually all debris from entering your gutters, including large debris like leaves and sticks and small debris like pollen and pine needles.
MasterShield gutter screens are the only product on the market that include copper strips in the mesh as well. This technology is another patent held by the company’s founder, so it’s exclusive to the MasterShield brand.
The copper is meant to collect oils and microorganisms that come down from your roof to reduce the risk of mold and algae growth in your gutters, further protecting them and your downspouts from blockages, discoloration and damage.
MasterShield offers gutter heaters as an add-on product, which is great for homeowners in colder climates.
Heated gutters are exceptional for avoiding ice dams, snow buildup and water damage in and around your downspouts. This type of gutter guard is naturally more costly but can be well worth the investment, depending on where you live.
Overall, the quality of the products from MasterShield is outstanding, as evidenced by the company’s lifetime warranty. Most customer reviews rave about how long their MasterShield gutter guards have lasted and how infrequently the homeowners have to clean their rain gutters.
The company guarantees a total lack of clogs for the lifetime of the warranty, which is transferable to future homeowners.
How MasterShield Works
As mentioned above, the angled gutter guards extend from your roof to the edge of your gutters.
Channels and small holes in the micro mesh direct runoff down into your gutters, while debris is left to move over the gutter guards and onto the ground below. The tiny perforations in the metal mesh let water through but can catch even the smallest of debris, including pollen, pine needles and small pieces of your roof shingles.
Here’s a visualization of how these gutter guards work:
If you decide that MasterShield is the right company for you, it will send a technician out to your home or business to measure and assess your property and existing gutters. You’ll receive a free quote, and once you approve it, you’ll get a spot on MasterShield’s schedule for the installation.
Based on MasterShield gutter guard reviews from customers, the third-party technicians typically arrive on time and are usually able to complete the installation customized for your property within a day. After that, an annual cleaning should be all you need to maintain perfectly clean gutters all year.
Warranty Coverage
MasterShield uses high-quality, durable materials for the frame and mesh of its gutter guards, and the quality is backed by a lifetime warranty.
This warranty is one of the few in the industry that guarantees no clogs for the lifetime of the equipment. Most other companies will agree to clean your gutters if they get clogged; MasterShield guarantees no clogs at all, or they’ll replace the equipment for free or give you your money back.
This provides the ultimate peace of mind that your investment is protected.
MasterShield doesn’t stop there, though. The company also promises that, for the life of your system, if there is a clog that leads to property damage and a homeowners insurance claim, it will pay up to $1,500 to cover your related insurance deductible.
This is an outstanding deal that really showcases how confident the company is in its products. MasterShield also maintains that it’s rarely contacted about issues with its products.
Best of all, the incredible warranty offered by MasterShield is transferable, which means it not only lasts for your lifetime but is transferred to anyone who purchases your home. This can make your home more appealing to prospective buyers when it’s time to sell, and it tends to raise your property value.
Keep in mind that the warranty from MasterShield is only available if the gutter guards are installed by a professional. If you ever need to use your warranty coverage, MasterShield will first determine if the issue was caused by improper installation and therefore if the third-party installer is responsible.
Most third-party installers licensed by MasterShield offer their own warranties, which typically cover labor and workmanship. Through this warranty model, both the installation and the product itself are 100% covered and guaranteed to meet or exceed your expectations.
MasterShield Installation
MasterShield requires a professional installation for its products, so you’ll begin the process by reaching out to the company and requesting a quote.
Your sales rep will use satellite imaging, a property inspection or both to figure out if your existing gutters are suitable for its gutter guards and what the installation project will entail. When you receive and approve the quote, you’ll get an installation date.
On that day, your technician will arrive and begin any site preparation prior to the installation process. The technicians are from third-party installers, but they’re vetted, highly trained and always professional and courteous.
Once the installation is completed, you can rest assured that your gutters are fully protected. Gutter guard cleaning once a year should be more than enough to avoid clogs, blockages, ice dams, leaks and other issues.
MasterShield Cost
MasterShield Gutter Protection is about average in cost and is in line with other top companies that offer a similar quality product.
The average cost of the MasterShield gutter guards alone is between $1.20 and $10 per linear foot. For an average 1,000-square foot home, that’s a total of between $264 and $2,200.
If you need new gutters and gutter guards installed, you could be looking at up to $25 per linear foot or up to $5,500 for a 1,000-square foot home. These numbers are in line with the average cost of gutter guards.
Availability
MasterShield Gutter Protection is based in Bristow, Virginia, but it operates via third-party installers all over the country.
There is no specific list of states within the company’s service area available online, but it appears as though the product is available nationwide. You can contact the company directly for a quote to see if your area is covered.
MasterShield Reviews
Since 2009, MasterShield has accumulated countless customer reviews, the majority of which are positive. The few middling and negative reviews mostly have to do with the specific third-party installers and not the product itself.
Nearly all customers are pleased with how well the MasterShield gutter guards function and how infrequently they have to clean their gutters after installation.
Many reviews mention that the warranty is outstanding and better than anything they’ve seen from other companies. Reviewers frequently mention that they were skeptical about how well gutter guards in general worked but that the MasterShield warranty was enough to convince them to move forward.
Several follow-up reviews to these comments have noted that the performance of the MasterShield leaf guards exceeded expectations. Below, we’ll share some of the most telling reviews we found online for this company:
“They replaced my gutters and downspouts almost 6 months ago… [The crew] got the job done in a couple hours. My house had special circumstances due to the fascia boards tilting at a 45-degree angle. The team was able to adjust the mounting position, and the color we chose gave the home new life. I would definitely recommend them if you need a professional gutter team.”
— Eric M. via BBB
“I had new gutters, downspouts and MasterShield Gutter Protection installed on my home on May 7 of this year. We had several storms come through yesterday, and MasterShield performed beautifully! I’m very pleased.”
— Debbie L. via BBB
“It went well. However, there were some communication problems between the office in Portland and the main office in Seattle. That resulted in my having to call the Seattle office to tell them that what they wanted, such as payment for work, had been handled by the Portland office. Other than that, it was a good experience.”
— Glenn M. via Angi
Final Thoughts & Our Recommendation
MasterShield Gutter Protection is one of the leading providers of gutter guards in the country. It uses high-quality, durable materials — including aluminum and stainless steel mesh — to ensure that your gutters stay clean and clear for many years to come.
The company backs its products with a lifetime warranty and a guarantee that it will give your money back or replace your gutter guard system if your gutters ever clog. Plus, it agrees to pay your insurance deductible if gutter failure ever causes property damage.
MasterShield uses third-party installers for the installation process, so it has a nationwide presence and can accommodate most homeowners in America. It’s worth noting that your experience can vary based on which installer is assigned to your gutter guard project, but you’ll always receive the MasterShield warranty and quality.
Overall, MasterShield Gutter Protection is an outstanding choice if you’re looking for high-quality gutter guards and total peace of mind that your investment will be protected. Most importantly, MasterShield is a U.S. Green Building Council member and uses mostly recycled materials in manufacturing — so it’s a great option for getting gutter guards while supporting an eco-friendly company.
Company Information
- Company name: MasterShield Gutter Protection
- Company type: Gutter and gutter guard manufacturing and installation
- CEO: Tom Kahn
- Year founded: 2009
- Headquarters: Bristow, VA
- State availability: Nationwide via third-party installers
- BBB rating: A
FAQ: MasterShield Gutter Guards
Since MasterShield is one of the leading gutter and gutter guard installation companies in the country, we get lots of questions from homeowners like you about this company and its products. Below, we’ll answer some of the most commonly asked questions we see.
The cost of gutter guards can vary quite a bit based on several factors. These include your location, the size of your home, the complexity of your rooflines, whether you need just gutter guards or new gutters as well and more.
With that being said, the average cost of gutter guards from MasterShield alone is between $1.20 and $10 per linear foot. That means for a 1,000-square foot home, you’re looking at a total cost of between $264 and $2,200, or an average of around $1,232.
If you need gutters and gutter guards installed, you could pay up to around $25 per linear foot or $5,500 for an equivalent-sized home.
MasterShield is about average in price and is on par with other gutter guard companies providing a similar value and quality.
Unfortunately, MasterShield products must be installed by professionals. The company only sells its products through licensed dealers and local installers, so you won’t be able to get your hands on the materials without paying for a professional installation as well.
Additionally, MasterShield only provides its industry-leading warranty if the gutter protection system is installed by one of its licensed installers; even if you could buy the materials alone, a DIY installation wouldn’t be recommended.
Another reason you’ll want to take advantage of MasterShield’s professional installation services is that a DIY installation can void your roof warranty if you have one. The system gets installed partially under your first row of shingles, and pulling them up yourself for the installation can put that warranty at risk. All in all, paying a little more for the professionals to complete the installation is well worth the investment.
All gutter guards should be cleaned at least once a year to remove any debris like pollen, dirt and roof shingle grit. An annual cleaning will help ensure your gutter guards are doing their job and aren’t getting clogged.
That being said, MasterShield says that its gutter guards may need only occasional cleaning if excessive amounts of moss, lichen, tree sap or pine resin tend to build up on your roof,
MasterShield offers a lifetime warranty with its products and guarantees that your gutters will be free from clogs forever. If you do experience a clog, you can contact the company about the issue, and it promises to replace your system or offer you your money back.
While there is no specific return policy if you’re just generally unsatisfied with the gutter guards, you can get your money back if you experience any issues. Plus, MasterShield offers to pay your homeowners insurance deductible if clogs lead to property damage.