You can now purchase our STEELCO Gutter Screen, not only from STEELCO, but now from Amazon. Here is a link to our 10-pack of Galvanized 6" Gutter Screen that will fit most residential gutters.
Installing STEELCO™ Gutter Screen on Metal Roofs With Ridges
STEELCO gutter screens can be easily installed on metal roofs with ridges, like the one pictured on this page. Simply use your tins snips to remove a row of mesh, as shown. Only a small gap is needed. This will allow STEELCO screens to lay flat against the metal roof. The rest of the installation depends of the type of gutters you're working with. For K-style gutters, see the typical install method. For half-round gutters, see the alternative install method.
If you have trees, NO product (regardless of their claims) will make your rain gutters 100% maintenance free. Such claims are without merit. The object of gutter protection is to prevent gutters from clogging and overflowing. STEELCO gutter screens are designed to keep out large leaves and debris that can block a downspout and cause the gutters to overflow. Tiny debris small enough to pass through the mesh will eventually get washed out of the gutter system in a heavy rain by the movement of water as it runs to the downspout. However, over time, some sediment can accumulate in the gutters. Gutters should be inspected each Spring and Fall, or at least on an annual basis. If the gutters need cleaning, water can be sprayed through the gutter screens with a hose, flushing the sediment to the downspout. Unlike solid gutter covers, there is no need to remove the screens to service the rain gutters this way... another advantage of premium STEELCO gutter protection.
STEELCO™ Screen vs. Competition Cover
In a heavy downpour, which of these two rain gutters do you think will catch more rain? Not too hard to figure that one out, is it? It's easy to see why solid gutter covers reduce rain gutter efficiency. Both products keep out leaves and debris, but STEELCO premium gutter screens allow the gutters to work at near maximum efficiency, no matter how hard it rains. And STEELCO™ screens are far less expensive. Please share this information with your rain gutter specialist.
STEELCO™ premium gutter screen
Typical solid gutter cover product
Gutter
Screens or Gutter Covers?
STEELCO premium gutter screens have significant advantages over competitive
products. The solid gutter cover products are over-priced, under-performing
alternatives to STEELCO screens, which have been proving their value in
reducing gutter maintenance for over 60 years.
The "No-Clog" Reality: No-Clog
Doesn't Mean No-Maintenance
The primary function of a gutter protection system is to prevent the downspouts from getting
clogged, and to reduce the need for gutter servicing. "No-clog"
doesn't mean "no-maintenance". Despite the marketing claims by some
companies, no product will make your gutters 100 percent maintenance free
forever. The only way to do that is to seal the gutters completely. But, then,
you may as well not even have gutters.
While leaf guards of all types can reduce the need for gutter servicing, some roof grit, small debris and fine bio-material will eventually accumulate in the bottom of your gutters. This is perfectly normal and unavoidable. Whether or not they need cleaning is an individual preference.
It's getting hard to keep up with all of the Johnny-Come-Lately's in the gutter protection biz. But, from what we've seen, we believe that STEELCO premium gutter screens offer the most practical, sensible and cost effective solution to preventing clogged gutters and reducing the need for gutter maintenance.
With that said, there may be circumstances where solid cover products may work just fine, such as homes with very low-pitch roofs, without basements, or homes not prone to puddling around the foundation. If these conditions apply to you, and you just feel like you need to pay more for your gutter protection, then you may want to consider expensive solid covers.
APCO Industries, a respected contractor in Columbus, Ohio, recommends sticking with traditional gutter screens. Good advice. And no gutter screen in the world compares to superior STEELCO gutter screen quality and performance.
How to Install STEELCO™ Gutter Screen on half-round gutters.
Installing STEELCO Gutter Screen
Copper half-round with copper STEELCO™ screen
For installing STEELCO screens on half-round gutters, the drop-in method is used. However, some half-rounds have an inside lip, allowing you to choose between the standard installation method (same as K-style gutters) or the drop-in method. For half-rounds with an outside lip, use the drop-in method, as described below.
Left is a brief animation showing installation on gutters with an OUTSIDE lip.
Right is a brief animation showing installation on gutters with an inside lip.
The is simply putting the STEELCO screen in place with the anchor clip bent perpendicular to the screen, so the clip drops down inside the gutter, as shown below (picture below is K-style gutter, but same applies to half-round). With the opposite edge of the screen under the shingles, the front edge rests on top of the gutter lip. Optionally, you may drill a hole and insert a screw, securing the screen to the gutter lip. If screws are used, one screw per section is all that is needed.
Inside View
One advantage of STEELCO screens is the many ways it can be installed. The type of roof, the pitch, age and other factors may dictate the need for an alternative installation method. The installer must use his/her best judgment as to the appropriate method of installation for the type of gutter and roof they are dealing with. Whenever possible, STEELCO screens should be installed with the back edge of the screen under the roofing material. This will help ensure the best performance in all conditions.
IMPORTANT: Care should always be taken not to damage the roofing material, i.e., shingles, tile, shake, metal, etc. Don't hurry the job. For asphalt shingled roofs (especially old ones), it is best to wait for a warm day and allow the sun to warm the shingles. This way, the aged shingles may be a little easier to work with. If asphalt shingles have a downward bend at the overhang, just lift gently and slowly using a wide, flat tool, like a paint scraper. Once the STEELCO screens are in place, the shingles will eventually settle and flatten themselves out. Don't force it.
How to Install STEELCO™ Gutter Screen
Pre-attached anchor clips are an important feature of STEELCO™ gutter screens. They provide easy and secure installation. When using standard installation technique, the clips should be pre-bent before installing the screens.
Typically, aluminum gutters have a thin bead on the inside of the lip, 1/8" or less. Front edge of screen goes under the gutter lip as shown.
Installation- Typical Aluminum Gutters
By far, the most typical kind of rain gutter is aluminum. The preferred method of installation for aluminum gutters is to slip the back edge of the STEELCO screen underneath the shingles at the edge of the roof. Then, position the front edge of the screen under the lip of the gutter, as shown in the picture on the right. Once in place, the pre-attached anchor clip is used to secure the screen in place. No tools are needed. The anchor clips should be pre-bent before positioning the screen over the gutter. Proper installation will ensure years of effective rain gutter protection. Simple, safe, and secure!
Using The Anchor Clips To Secure The Screens
The Galvalume™ anchor clips secure STEELCO screens to the lip of the gutter preventing displacement by wind or critters (squirrels). The anchor clips may be used differently for different installation techniques, depending on the type of gutters you are working with. Installing on half-round gutters with an outside lip? Click here
The anchor clips are simple to use and can be manipulated easily by hand, without the use of tools. While the purpose and use of the anchor clip is pretty straight forward, it is important that the installer pre-bend the clips BEFORE putting them in place over the gutters. Don't bend it completely flat. Leave room for the clip to fit over the inside bead on the gutter lip.
Left, you can see how the clip is bent over the gutter lip to secure the screen in place. In this example, galvanized clips were used only for contrast. Choose the clip color that most closely matches your gutters. STEELCO™ currently offers white, brown, galvanized or copper clips. Painting the clips to match non-standard colors is very simple.
Some gutters (vinyl) may have a taller lip than standard aluminum gutters. If the gutter lip is more than 1/8" high, you may want to fit the screen above the lip, rather than under, to prevent small debris from "damming" behind the lip. This alternative method for installing STEELCO screens is often used on half-round gutters. To see this alternative installation method, click here.
One advantage of STEELCO screens is the many ways it can be installed. The type of roof, the pitch, age and other factors may dictate the need for an alternative installation method. The installer must use his/her best judgment as to the appropriate method of installation for the type of gutter and roof they are dealing with. Whenever possible, STEELCO screens should be installed with the back edge of the screen under the roofing material. This will help ensure the best performance in all conditions.
IMPORTANT: Care should always be taken not to damage the roofing material, i.e., shingles, tile, shake, metal, etc. Don't hurry the job. For asphalt shingled roofs (especially old ones), it is best to wait for a warm day and allow the sun to warm the shingles. This way, the aged shingles may be a little easier to work with. If asphalt shingles have a downward bend at the overhang, just lift gently and slowly using a wide, flat tool, like a paint scraper. Once the STEELCO screens are in place, the shingles will eventually settle and flatten themselves out. Don't force it.