Best Gutter Guards:
How Much Does Lowe's Know?
Consumers often call up home improvement stores to get information about purchasing gutter guards for their houses. But are they getting accurate responses from these retailers?
Not long ago, we checked out some Home Depot stores to see how much they knew about the best gutter guards. We recently tried the same test with the other heavyweight in the American home improvement store market: Lowe's. We called up four Lowe's stores and asked about the gutter guards they had in stock, as well as how much they cost and how were they supposed to be installed. We chose Lowe's stores in Miami, Oklahoma City, Houston, and San Diego.
It immediately became apparent that our information would be subpar at best. When we went to the Lowe's website, we found four different types of gutter guards (a PVC gutter cover, a snap-in mesh filter, a steel hinged mesh cover, and a roll of vinyl webbing) that the company sold. But when we called each retail location, we were told that they only had a single type of gutter guard available for purchase. So any comparisons we hoped to make between the best gutter guard types were rendered moot.
Here is the store-by-store breakdown:
San Diego: The associate flat out admitted that he didn't know a thing about gutters. But he gladly informed us that we could by a 5-pack of 3-foot hinged mesh gutter guards for $10.
Rating: 3 out of 5 hammers
Oklahoma City: The associate told us that he had the snap-on metal mesh filters, available in white or brown. He let us know that each section cost $1.98, but inaccurately told us they came in two-foot sections—when in reality they are each three feet in length.
Rating: 2 out of 5 hammers
Houston: We called three different Lowe's stores in Houston. Although we were transferred to the building materials department (which sells gutter guards), no one at any location ever picked up the phone to talk to us. Thanks for nothing!
Rating: 0 out of 5 hammers
Miami: This store only had the snap-on filters as well, though the associate described them to us in greater detail than the person in Oklahoma City. He also correctly told us that they came in three-foot sections at a price of $1.98 apiece.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 hammers
In conclusion, every Lowe's employee that actually picked up the phone spoke with us about gutter guards was friendly, helpful, and informative. However, because each store only offered a single choice for gutter guards, we would be remiss if we were to recommend Lowe's as a viable "gutter guard specialist." So you're probably better off calling up your local contractor to get detailed information about the best gutter guards that are right for your home.
