Welcome to the our Special Features section. Here you will find links to articles, current events, new products, reports, research projects, and other special features related to residential construction and custom home building.

Our current project is a review of various types of gutter leaf guards and screens. Over the next several months, we will be installing, testing, and watching others install, various gutter protection products. The review period will run through fall, winter, and into spring so we can monitor how effective the various products are at dealing with different types of tree liter and weather conditions.

The first phase of this project will be to install various products on test homes in wooded areas. We will be commenting on pricing, availability, ease of installation, contractor versus homeowner installation, and product warranties. Preliminary tests of each system will be done using a garden hose and artificially placed leaves, pine needles, and other types of tree debris. While we acknowledge that this first test may not represent nature, it will provide a means to create somewhat consistent conditions on which to base an initial evaluation.

Over the course of the testing period, we will be providing updates documenting how each product performs under the actual effects of autumn leaves, winter snow and ice, spring flower drop, and heavy rainfall. Our goal is to provide a thorough review of every product we test and accurately report the results, so that our visitors will be able to make an informed decision as to what product might work best for them.

The following links will take you to the Web sites of the products which are currently in the process of being reviewed or have been scheduled for review:

• PermFlow Gutter Guard System
• The WaterFall Gutter Guard System
• Gutter Helmet
• Cinch Gutter Guard
• Hallett Gutter Cover
• RainhandleR
• FLO-FREE Gutter Inserts
• The Wedge Downspout Screen
• Amerimax Hinged Gutter Guard

PS - if you have previously visited this page and you are checking back for more information, please note that we are running behind our planned schedules on some of our special feature articles. If you would like to be notified when our gutter guard reviews are updated, you may subscribe to our newsletter.

Thank you for your patience!

Gutter Guard Reviews
  Introduction
  Product Information

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