A. COMPARISON OF COMMON GUTTER PROTECTION MATERIALS
Plastic Mesh (known also as High Density Polyethylene or HDPE) vs Aluminium
The system of attaching mesh to the gutter lip and then over the tiles and steel roofs is commonly known as the Leafscreener system. Plastic mesh using virgin polymer with UV stabilizing ingredients was the original material used since the early 90s when this system began. The next generation of gutter protection using this method and the next major innovation utilizing this system is LEAF STOPPER™ - Aluminium Diamond Mesh.
Disadvantages
Extreme Australian weather conditions may cause the plastic mesh to warp and buckle under the sun.
May burn and spread a fire.
Life expectancy of plastic is less than LEAF STOPPER™ Aluminium.
To give plastic mesh rigidity and strength it must be thicker. This prevents plastic to be as transparent on roofs as LEAF STOPPER™. If the plastic mesh is slightly different to the colour of the roof it becomes a lot more obvious.
Advantages
It is a cheaper material. In areas where bushfires are not a hazard the plastic option is suitable
Plastic Mesh (Fire Retardant) vs Aluminium
A fire retardant mesh in most respects is the same as the plastic mesh mentioned above. The main difference is chemicals have been added to inhibit a flame from spreading.
Disadvantages
Extreme Australian weather conditions can cause the plastic mesh to warp and buckle under the sun.
Life expectancy of plastic is less than LEAF STOPPER™ Aluminium.
To give the mesh rigidity and strength it must be thicker. This prevents plastic to be as transparent on roofs as LEAF STOPPER™. If the plastic mesh is slightly different to the colour of the roof it becomes a lot more obvious.
Can discolour quicker than normal plastic mesh. To date, this has been a problem due to the chemicals that must be added to give the mesh better flammability qualities.
The cost of fire retardant brings it into the spectrum of metal gutter protection systems.
For a little or no extra cost, you can have a metal product.
Advantages
Have a flammability index better than 5, where 5 or better is required in bushfire zones and where councils have stipulated this rating.
Galvanised Steel vs Aluminium
Galvanised mesh is steel coated with Zinc. Generally it comes either welded or woven.
Disadvantages
Steel can rust a lot easier. Aluminium has excellent resistance to atmospheric corrosion due to the tightly adherent oxide film which forms, protecting the metal from further corrosion
Galvanised steel is very tensile while LEAF STOPPER™ Aluminium is flexible. This allows the LEAF STOPPER™ to fit very easily onto gutter and valleys and to be molded onto corrugated and trimdek style roofs. As a result, it is a lot easier to handle for installers. This makes it ideal for DIY and handyman situations.
Advantages
Has a flammability index of 0, equivalent to Aluminium.
