Picking a leaf guard sounds simple until you see three options with similar names. Alu-Rex makes Double Pro, T-Rex, and Gutter Clean, and each one suits a different kind of home.
This guide covers how each system works, where it fits best, and what it costs in Edmonton. By the end, you’ll know which one makes sense for your eavestroughs. These recommendations come from a certified Alu-Rex installer.
Why Edmonton Homes Need Eavestrough Leaf Guards
Edmonton eavestroughs work hard. In fall, they fill up with leaves, seeds, and spruce or pine needles. In winter, a clogged trough holds water that freezes and turns into heavy ice.
That ice can pull eavestroughs away from the house. It can also back up under shingles and cause leaks. Add a few freeze-thaw swings and a small clog becomes a real repair bill.
Eavestrough guards cut down on that risk. They let water in and keep most debris out, so you spend less time on a ladder. If you’ve ever cleaned your gutters in the cold, you already know why that matters.
Not every eavestrough guard works the same way, though. Some are simple screens that clog with fine debris. Alu-Rex designs its guards differently, and that’s where the three systems split.
Alu-Rex Double Pro
Double Pro is Alu-Rex’s top-tier leaf guard. It’s built into a continuous hanger, so it guards your eavestroughs and holds them up in one system.
How the Second Aluminum Layer Works
Double Pro uses two layers of perforated aluminum. The holes in the top layer and the bottom layer are offset from each other, so they don’t line up.
Here’s why that matters. Water gets pulled through the layers and drops into the trough. Leaves, needles, and other debris stay on top, and the next breeze or rain often clears them off.
The bottom layer is a backup. If something small slips past the top, it can’t settle into the eavestrough and build a clog.
Best for Homes Near Spruce and Pine Trees
If your yard has spruce, pine, or lots of mature trees, Double Pro is the one to look at. Pine needles are slim enough to slide through many guards, and they’re the usual reason guards fail.
Double Pro is made to block them. The lifetime clog-free warranty covers pine areas too, which is rare in this category.
Double Pro Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Blocks leaves, pine needles, and large debris
- Continuous hanger strengthens the whole eavestrough
- Lifetime warranty on materials, durability, and clog-free performance
- Built to handle snow and ice
Cons:
- Costs more than T-Rex
- Goes in with new eavestroughs, not on existing ones
Alu-Rex T-Rex Gutter Guard
T-Rex is the tough, no-frills option. It’s a continuous fastening system with a leaf guard built in, and it’s all about strength.
A Continuous Fastening System for New Eavestroughs
Most older eavestroughs hang from spikes or hangers spaced a few feet apart. The stretches between them can sag under snow and ice.
T-Rex runs along the full length of the eavestrough instead. It supports up to 250 lb per linear foot, which helps it stand up to ice, snow, and even a ladder leaned against it.
It’s installed with new eavestroughs. Our crews install 5″ and 6″ continuous aluminum, and T-Rex goes on as part of that job.
Best for Homes With Less Fine Debris
T-Rex keeps leaves out and lets water flow freely. It’s a good fit if your property has few trees, or trees that drop mostly larger leaves.
If you’ve got heavy spruce or pine around the house, Double Pro is the safer pick. T-Rex is the smart value choice for yards that don’t throw much fine debris.
T-Rex Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Lowest price of the three systems
- Strong continuous support for the whole eavestrough
- Handles snow, ice, and ladder weight
- Good leaf protection
Cons:
- Not the best match for pine needles and fine debris
- Installed with new eavestroughs only
Alu-Rex Gutter Clean System
Gutter Clean is for homeowners who like their current eavestroughs and don’t want to replace them.
Retrofitting Your Existing Eavestroughs
Gutter Clean attaches to existing 5″ and 6″ eavestroughs. It’s made to keep out leaves, snow, and ice, and it seals along the back of the trough.
It’s built from materials that don’t rust or warp, and it holds up to sun and temperature swings. That’s a plus in a city that sees both.
One thing to check first is the condition of your eavestroughs. If they’re sagging, leaking, or pulling away from the fascia, a guard won’t fix that. In that case, new eavestroughs with T-Rex or Double Pro may be the better move.
Gutter Clean Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Fits onto existing eavestroughs
- No need to replace a system that’s still in good shape
- Resists rust, warping, and weather
- Helps keep out leaves, snow, and ice
Cons:
- Highest price per foot of the three
- Needs eavestroughs that are solid enough to carry it
Double Pro vs. T-Rex vs. Gutter Clean: Side-by-Side Comparison
The best choice depends on whether you need advanced filtration, stronger gutter fastening, or protection for an existing system.
| Feature | Double Pro | T-Rex | Gutter Clean |
| Primary purpose | Filtration and reinforcement | Reinforcement and debris protection | Retrofit debris protection |
| Installation | New eavestroughs | New eavestroughs | Existing compatible eavestroughs |
| Fine-debris filtration | Dual-layer design | Standard protection | Standard protection |
| Continuous fastening | Yes | Yes | Designed to fit over existing gutters |
| Listed support capacity | 425 lb per linear foot | 250 lb per linear foot | Not listed in the comparison chart |
| Manufacturing warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime | 25 years |
| Sturdiness warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime | Not listed |
| Best for | Homes near spruce and pine | Homes with fewer trees | Homes with good existing eavestroughs |
| Design | Two offset aluminum layers | Continuous fastening with built-in guard | Guard that fits over existing trough |
| Pine needle protection | Yes, covered by warranty | Limited | Limited |
| Strength boost | Yes, continuous hanger | Yes, up to 250 lb per linear foot | No, guard only |
| Price (per linear foot) | $6 | $4 | $8.50 |
Which Alu-Rex Leaf Guard Is Right for Your Home?
Start with your eavestroughs. If they’re old, damaged, or ready for replacement, you’ve got two good options: Double Pro or T-Rex. If they’re in great shape, Gutter Clean lets you keep them.
Then look at your trees. Spruce, pine, or heavy tree cover points to Double Pro. Few trees or mostly larger leaves means T-Rex can do the job for less.
Here’s a quick way to think about it:
- Lots of trees, new eavestroughs: Double Pro
- Fewer trees, new eavestroughs: T-Rex
- Good eavestroughs you want to keep: Gutter Clean
Still not sure? That’s normal. We’ll look at your roof and trees and tell you what we’d put on our own home.
Gutter Guard Cost and Installation in Edmonton
Let’s talk numbers. Gutter guard cost per foot depends on the system you pick, and the guard price is added to the eavestrough price.
Alu-Rex leaf guard pricing (per linear foot):
- Double Pro: $6
- T-Rex: $4
- Gutter Clean: $8.50
Continuous aluminum eavestrough pricing (per linear foot):
- 5″ eavestrough: $7
- 6″ eavestrough: $9.50
- Eavestrough replacement (includes removing your old system): $8
Here’s a quick example. Say your home needs 150 linear feet of new 5″ eavestrough. That’s about $1,050. Adding Double Pro brings the total to roughly $1,950, and adding T-Rex brings it to about $1,650.
If you already have good eavestroughs, Gutter Clean on 150 feet would run about $1,275.
Your final gutter guard installation cost depends on total footage, corners, and downspouts. Most homes take a day or less, and you don’t need to be home while we work.
So, are gutter guards worth it? If you hate climbing ladders or have trees dropping debris on your roof, most homeowners would say yes. You also avoid clogs that can lead to ice damage and repairs. Think of it as paying once to skip a messy chore every year.
Why Choose Let It Flow Exteriors for Your Gutter Guard Installation?
We’re a certified Alu-Rex installer, and we’ve completed over 500 exterior projects in the Edmonton area since 2017.
Our own crews do the work. We don’t hand your job to a subcontractor, so the quality stays consistent from one house to the next.
Our installers hold valid First Aid, Elevated Work Platform, and Working at Heights certificates. We’re licensed, insured, and carry active WCB. We also stand behind our work with a workmanship guarantee.
Ready to protect your eavestroughs? Contact Let It Flow Exteriors for a free estimate. Discuss your home’s drainage needs, compare the available Alu-Rex systems, and find a solution suited to Edmonton’s changing weather.
FAQs
Can Alu-Rex Guards Be Installed on Existing Eavestroughs?
Yes, with Gutter Clean. It fits onto existing 5″ and 6″ eavestroughs. Double Pro and T-Rex are continuous hangers, so they go in with new eavestroughs.
What Is the Difference Between Alu-Rex Double Pro and T-Rex?
Both are continuous hangers with a built-in guard. Double Pro adds a second offset aluminum layer, which helps block pine needles and fine debris. T-Rex costs less and works well on homes with fewer trees.
Do Alu-Rex Gutter Guards Need Cleaning?
Much less than open eavestroughs, but no guard is totally maintenance-free. A quick check in fall and spring is smart. Debris often blows or rinses off the top, and a leaf blower or hose can handle the rest.
How Long Do Alu-Rex Gutter Guards Last?
Most Alu-Rex gutter guards last 17 years or more, based on reports from installers and homeowners. How long yours lasts depends on your trees, your roof, and how well it’s installed.