How can leaf guard reviews vary? We’ve noted several of the places where MasterShield or the patented technology in our micro mesh gutter guards was named the preferred technology in independent tests. Some review sites receive compensation for their tests and because all reviews are not created equal, we’ve noted that below.
Note: MasterShield’s newest feature, multi-patent pending Copper Interlaced Technology (or CIT for short) has not yet been tested by any third party organization. MasterShield’s CIT is the first and only micromesh cover that addresses oils and organisms, two external issues that can clog any gutter filter right in the filter itself. Copper ions naturally kill spores from organisms like moss, lichen and algae. Copper is also a natural oil thinner and asphalt shingles naturally release oils over time.
Nationally syndicated newspaper columnist and writer of the top home improvement website, AskTheBuilder.com, Tim Carter has years of reviews under his belt. In 2008, he allowed manufacturers to come to his home. They were able to install gutter guards on different sections of his garage. Tim has been writing reviews for more than a decade. He’s always said he didn’t like guards because they let debris in, particularly in the Spring. Tim chose his garage because it was under a very messy tree that dropped lots of small husks and helicopters. One system got the driveway side of the garage and MasterShield got the reverse side where his home had a courtyard with a patio. While we thought the courtyard might not get as much wind to blow debris off the system, we just made sure to pitch it with the roof and let the debris fall.
After more than 9 months, MasterShield Gutter Guards took top honors. Carter was so confident in its performance, he had MasterShield installed on his home, just in time for Autumn. We went out after the test was officially complete and saw the conditions. MasterShield looked like it had just been installed and had no debris on it. The other type sat flat and had trapped a lot of the Spring blooms as well as lots of sticks and twigs. It was only after this test that our competitor started to say they could pitch with the roof, too.
“MasterShield Gutter Protection does what it says, keeping all leaves, oak tassels, helicopters and even pine needles out of gutters,” said Carter. “I have tested numerous types of gutter guards all claiming they keep debris out and homeowners won’t have to clean their gutters again. As readers of my website know, my research has shown a very large percentage of these products fail in the springtime, and would not be a prudent investment. MasterShield makes me happy since I won’t have to clean out the gutters again and, my wife’s happy since I’ll stay off the roof.”
“Other gutter guards have jumped on the micromesh bandwagon. Although they might look similar to MasterShield, my gutter guard test results proved to me there are significant performance differences between these products. The filter alone is not what makes MasterShield work,” adds Carter. “If you’re going to spend your money on a gutter guard system, don’t settle; buy the one that works.”
Note: Tim Carter received no compensation for his test.
Bestcovery.com’s reviews led to MasterShield being named their top choice. Here’s a quote from their review: “Master Shield is probably the leading gutter guard manufacturer in the business. Their patented micro-mesh screens will filter out everything from debris to sand coming off the shingles. These mesh screens are placed on top of strong support ridges that are designed to duplicate the pitch of the roof, allowing wind and water to wash away anything that ends up sitting on top of the cover.
Since this guard is installed with the back of it under the first row of shingles, and the front of it sitting over the top of the gutter, there is nowhere for debris to get caught and start trapping other debris, as is often the case with other types of guards.
The support ridges under the mesh will also aerate the draining water, making it some of the cleanest water around. The result is that you will end up with rain water that is actually available for other uses. This design will also facilitate the siphoning away of water so that it can handle large volumes of water falling quickly.
This gutter system is also enclosed, so there will be no mosquitoes, birds, or anything else that will be able to contaminate this water once it enters the gutters.”
While MasterShield wasn’t tested by Consumer Reports, the patented microfiltration technology of Alex Higginbotham, MasterShield’s inventor, was tested and chosen as their top performing technology. This patented technology is demonstrated by a microfilter touched on the underside by a series of extensions that come up and touch the filter. While others have implied Consumer Reports has done reviews for two of their issues, they’ve actually only done one test and republished it at a later date.
Their gutter guard reviews tested earlier embodiments of microfiltration. We feel they missed an opportunity to include Alex’s latest advancements like our HydroVortex Technology and MicroVortex microfilter. HydroVortex Technology allows MasterShield to be pitched with the roof, from flat to vertical, and still direct water through the MicroVortex filter, the 316 stainless steel filter that is woven just for us. Directing water though the earlier designs isn’t as effective, too much water can overflow the filter. Installing microfilters flat has its own own issues. It winds up creating a shelf over the gutter that needs to be brushed off.
In the Ask the Builder test, MasterShield outperformed the highest rated product chosen by Consumer Reports, a good benchmark on how it would have done had they opened their testing to more products.
This is one of the most comprehensive reviews we’ve seen. Bob Jackson, author of the website, HandyManHowTo.com, really did his homework here. You’ll find out about the damage that cheap covers did to his home, and all the time he took to research products before choosing MasterShield. He’s got lots of before and after pictures and he points out a lot of the problem areas that many homeowners might deal with.
HandymanHowTo.com Gutter Guard Review, Part One
HandymanHowTo.com Gutter Guard Review, Part Two
Best Pick Reports conducts independent reviews of service companies in different industries, including gutter and gutter guard installations. All of their listings are qualified by EBSCO Research. They invite only the best to Best Pick Reports through their research. In the Chicago market, they independently contacted more than 100 of our local dealer’s customers and asked them to provide feedback on the product and company. Read what homeowners had to say here.
MasterShield has been a proud participant in ABC TV’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. MasterShield donated MasterShield Gutter Guards, the entire gutter system (gutters, downspouts) and labor for two of their projects. While they are not technically gutter guard reviews, their interest in having us work with them on more than one occasion speaks to the value we created for the homeowner and the effort we put in to their projects
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Reality Program, plus the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Reality Show/Makeover and the Family Television Award for Best Alternative/Reality Program.
