When it comes to gutter guards, it is essential that you choose the right solution for your property. An ill-fitting or incorrect choice will result in your guard unable to do the job required, leaving your building exposed to the risk of water damage, pest infestation, or, if you live in a bush fire prone area, unprotected against burning embers.
The main differences between standard and commercial gutter guards is in the strength of the material used commercial gutter guards will be stronger. commercial gutter guards will also hold additional test certification for an example they may be drinking water rated.
With so many different options available to choose from, finding the right gutter guard can be challenging. There are many variations of protection, sizes, and grades to choose from, but what is the difference between standard and commercial-grade gutter guards?
What Are Gutter Guards?
Before looking at the difference between standard and commercial-grade gutter guards, it is important to understand exactly what they are and how they are utilized. In their very basic form, gutter guards are designed to prevent debris from entering your guttering system, ensuring water is always able to flow freely through the system.
This prevents rainwater from building up on your roof, which can lead to significant structural damage and leaks within your property. Gutter guards are also able to protect your home from pest infestations by blocking their access route into your roofing. If you live in areas of high-risk for bush fires, then gutter guards, or ember guards, can prevent flaming embers from entering your gutter and igniting any flammable debris.
There are many different types of gutter guards on the market, with each option designed to carry out a specific job and suit any budget. Some of the most common guards available in Australia today include:
Brush Gutter Guards
These are often the most affordable solution and simply sit inside your gutter pipe. Featuring outward-facing bristles, this type of guard is designed to brush any debris away from the gutter whilst still allowing water to run freely through the system.
Foam inserts
This style of guard works in a very similar style to brush guards, and is a long foam tube that sits within the guttering system and prevents any debris from entering. The foam material is porous, allowing water to still soak through and exit the gutter as required.Mesh Panels
These are one of the most popular styles of gutter guard for both commercial and residential property owners alike. This form of guard attaches directly to your gutter and allows water to flow directly through the guard and into the system whilst blocking all debris from entering it.
Integrated Mesh
Working in a similar fashion to the Mesh Panels, Integrated Mesh is installed directly inside the guttering system, creating a downward slope that forces debris towards the ground. The mesh has small perforated holes throughout that are designed to ensure that rainwater can still flow freely.
Vinyl Guards
Vinyl Guards are another option that fits directly into the guttering system. Made from high-quality plastic, the guard works in a similar fashion to the mesh options, by blocking debris from entering whilst allowing water to flow unobstructed.
The differences between Standard and Commercial guards
If you are looking to install new gutter guard protection to your property or replace your existing system with something more robust and durable, then there are lots of factors that you need to consider. When it comes to choosing between standard or commercial guards, both guards are able to offer strong protection but to ensure that your property has the maximum protection at the most affordable price, opting for the right solution is crucial.Gutter Guard Installation
The first thing to consider between the two is the installation process. Standard gutter guards are designed to be installed quickly and efficiently to residential properties, with many solutions capable of being installed by homeowners and DIY enthusiasts. These types of guards are often uniquely designed for more residential shaped guttering systems and can work with various pitches of a roof.
On the other hand, as commercial buildings tend to have flat roofs, commercial guards are typically designed to work more efficiently for them. As they are designed to fit larger properties, commercial-grade gutter guards also often require specialist fitment techniques and can usually only be installed by professional gutter guard installers. There are also a number of specialised bracing options available to ensure that these guards are able to fit the various parapets and large box gutters that accompany commercial buildings.
Styles
Another big difference between commercial and residential gutter guards is their overall style. Most standard guards are typically in either a K-style or U-shape format, which means standard guards are typically designed to suit these styles of gutters. As many commercial properties tend to use box gutters more frequently, this means that commercial gutter guards need to be able to fit these – which often means they are unable to fit some residential properties.
Regulations
There are various different regulations for gutter guards depending on whether they are being installed on residential or commercial properties. This means that Standard and Commercial gutter guards are built to meet various regulations, so it is important that whichever option you choose that it matches the required regulations for the property.
Other factors
Of course, these are not the only differences between Standard and Commercial grade gutter guards. Commercial guards tend to have a thicker mesh, which makes them increasingly more resistant to pests. The stronger resistance to damage makes them great for use in areas where birds and possums are common, preventing these pests from gaining access to your property.
The materials used to construct the different grades differ as well, which means that many Commercial grade gutter guards also feature a longer warranty than the standard grade equivalents. Many commercial-grade gutter guards also come AS4020 rated, which ensures that they are safe to be used in water tanks.
Commercial Grade Guards are also specifically designed to reduce maintenance which can have a major impact on the maintenance costs of a building as depending on access needs gutter cleanings for large building can run into the thousands if specialized height safety and access equipment is required.
How to choose the right solution for you
Trying to find the right gutter guard solution for your property can be tough. With so many styles and options available, the first thing you should consider is the property that you are looking to attach the guards too. With this information, you will be able to ensure that you get a solution that has been designed specifically for your needs.
From there, you should consider the kind of debris that you want to protect from. With this information, you will be able to choose between the various styles, such as mesh panels and vinyl guards, and ensure that your property is protected from flooding and damage. If your property is in an area of high bush fire risk, then you should consider installing ember guards to help protect your office or home from burning embers.
If you are unsure of what might be the best solution for your property then you should seek the advice of the professionals. Not only will they be able to help you to find the perfect option for you, but they can also help you to install it correctly.
Utilizing the services of a professional installer will not only help you to minimize the risk of having to climb a ladder yourself, but it will also ensure that the guard will be correctly installed and able to work as efficiently as it was designed to.
As one of the leading providers of gutter guards, we strive to provide our customers with the most high-quality standard and commercial grade guards on the market. Our highly experienced team will work with you to find the right solution for your property, taking the time to understand your requirements and ensuring that it is correctly installed and working as efficiently as possible to protect you all year round.
Want to find out more? Get in touch with our team today!
