The raised S-curve: Not all micro-mesh gutter covers are the same

Tgb Oct 2021 Edit Photo
The Gutter Boys revolutionary raised S-curve gutter guards (above) help prevent clogging by promoting the self-shedding of leaves and debris.

By Mimi Vanderhaven

Designing and manufacturing a high-performance gutter guard is a balancing act between two essential goals: the system must 1) keep out debris and 2) maintain water flow. Too much of one can be a detriment to the other.

With The Gutter Boys’ exclusive Valor Gutter Guard System, the unique raised S-curve feature is the secret to achieving a perfect balance.

“Stainless steel micro-mesh is absolutely the way to go,” insists company founder Anthony Alberino. “It’s far superior to plastic mesh or sheet metal with holes in it, but it can still experience reduced water flow due to leaves adhering to it. Our raised S-curve feature helps prevent that. It’s intuitive, really; there’s simply less surface area for a leaf to stick to.”

What’s In Our Dumpster?
In the past year alone, The Gutter Boys have installed their gutter guard system on more than 11,000 Northeast Ohio homes and, surprisingly, about half of those homes already had cover covers; they’d simply stopped working.

Wet fall leaves easily adhere to flat micro-mesh gutter covers.

“We’ve uninstalled more gutter covers than most companies have installed,” Anthony says, emphasizing the two words. “We see the good, the bad and the ugly. In fact, there are so many of our competitors’ gutter covers in our dumpster that we filmed a Facebook video called, ‘What’s In Our Dumpster?’ It’s a good way to see exactly how easily these other gutter covers can fail.”

Anthony is so confident in his system that he offers a fully transferable lifetime warranty. That means the system won’t fail you or the people who buy your home from you.

The Top-Rated Gutter Guard
Having the top-rated guard system in the nation is not just Anthony’s opinion. NCR Consumer Advocacy Group—the nation’s largest publisher of independent third-party testing, ratings and reviews for the gutter cover and home improvement industry—has ranked Valor Gutter Guards number one in all categories it measures: value, effectiveness, industry reputation, strength, water throughput, durability and “overall.” And not only is The Gutter Boys the exclusive dealer for Valor in Northeast Ohio, they were the number one Valor dealer in the U.S. in 2020, installing more than 60 miles of the top-ranked product—and they’ll likely surpass that record in 2021.

The difference between a flat micro-mesh gutter cover and The Gutter Boys’ raised S-curve gutter guard is comparable to the difference between a flat potato chip and a wavy one. The elevated ridges offer less surface area, encouraging wet leaves to slide right off.

Additional benefits of the Valor Gutter Guard system includes a vertical louvered frame that improves drainage by discouraging the growth of moss and algae; a light-weight, aluminum frame that won’t warp, yet doesn’t add a lot of weight; and rust-proof stainless steel screws that attached to the fascia, not the shingles, so it won’t void your roof warranty. This also adds structural integrity when covered in heavy ice.

In addition to cleaning and covering gutters, The Gutter Boys also repairs them, including dented, broken or damaged gutters as well as hanging, fallen or missing downspouts. “With our component replacement system, we can replace just the damaged section without replacing the entire system,” Anthony explains.

Perhaps most telling is the company’s low-pressure sales pitch. “We don’t have a two-hour arm wrestling match in your kitchen trying to close you,” Anthony smiles. “That’s just not us. We quickly give you the information you need to make an informed decision then we leave.”

The Gutter Boys is headquartered at 1090 West Bagley Road, in Berea. They have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and are bonded and insured. Call 440-671-7657 to schedule a free on-site consultation and estimate, or visit TheGutterBoys.com for more information. They also offer 12 months same-as-cash financing.