Gutter Guards vs Ember Guards: What’s the difference?
Australia has a lot of bushfires, thus areas that are at risk must be safeguarded.
Ember attacks, which typically start in unprotected gutters and into homes and structures through small openings, are responsible for the destruction of many dwellings. Bushfire embers carried by the wind can catch fire and burn down buildings.
According to studies, 85% of home fires start via wind-borne embers rather than by direct contact with wildfire. Therefore, homeowners are shielded from the devastation caused by bushfires by gutter and ember guards.
It’s important to comprehend the long-term advantages of goods like gutter and ember guards as this knowledge can significantly lower the likelihood that bushfires will damage your property.
What are Gutter Guards and Ember Guards?
Gutter guards or leaf guards
A gutter guard is a device that keeps your gutters clear of dirt and other debris. It is installed over your gutters and works to keep leaves, twigs, and other debris out of your gutters so they don’t get clogged.
Know more about gutter guards here.
Ember guards
An ember guard is essentially a type of gutter guard that is made expressly to keep embers out of your property.
Furthermore, an ember guard is a tool that aids in keeping embers out of your house. It typically has an aperture (hole size) of 2mm or less and is formed of non-combustible material, like mesh or perforated sheet.
Any gaps larger than 3mm must be filled with an ember guard mesh or sheet to prevent ember assaults on homes in bushfire-prone areas. The type of ember guard that may be used depends on the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) of the location. Areas with a BAL of 12.5 or 29 may use steel, bronze, or aluminium ember guards; areas with a BAL of 40 or higher may only use steel or bronze, ember guards.
Australian Standards do not impose a legal requirement for gutter guards (AS3959–2009). On the other hand, homes in bushfire-prone locations must have an ember guard. As a result, you must install ember guards if your home has any gaps larger than 3 mm.
What are the Differences Between the Two?
The size of the hole or the distance between each intersecting wire mesh is the primary difference. While there is no set size for a gutter guard, an ember guard, as stated above, must have a hole that is 2 mm in diameter or smaller.
In general, ember attacks frequently occur in gutters. Dry leaves that accumulate in exposed gutters are easily ignited by flying embers. Some gutters have shoddy gutter mesh, which makes it possible for leaves to accumulate. For the majority of debris kinds, gutter guards provide a more general form of protection. It works in practically every home and does the job fairly well.
As to Australian Standards, ember guards, on the other hand, have a more compact structure and completely shield the entrance from burning embers. The fascia, valleys, ridges, and hips of a roof can all be covered with the 2mm steel ember protection mesh. They can be installed in roof openings. Additionally, if you reside in an area where crime is prevalent, you are also required by law to have them. Suppose you live in one of the many scattered spots in Tasmania that would be quite vulnerable in the case of a nearby bushfire. In that case, you should think about having an ember guard system professionally installed.
Selecting the appropriate Ember guards
The specifications of the ember guards that you must on your gutters often depend on the Bushfire Attack Level Flame Zone in your area.
All new homes in 12.5 to Bushfire Attack Level Flame Zone rated areas could choose ember guards to meet standards. As a wildfire prevention measure, new dwellings must meet certain BAL standards. However, it can also be applied to older houses and residences that are situated in areas with low bushfire risk.
The Australian Standard AS3959-2009 mandate varies depending on the BAL of your customer’s property. Because ember guards have various BAL ratings, you must select the one that best fits the needs of your customer’s property. For instance, the ember guards must close gaps larger than 3 mm when the area has a BAL of 12.5 or higher.
Additionally, you must make sure the ember guards are constructed of steel or bronze and are corrosion-resistant if the customer’s home is located in an area with a BAL rating of 40 or FZ. A perfect fit for all BAL classifications of 12.5, 19, 29, 40, and FZ, the 2mm steel mesh complies with all laws. Small leaves and insects are kept out of the roof gutter by the fine perforations in steel ember guards.
Do you need new gutters installed?
If you’re in the Sydney area and are planning on getting new gutters installed – whether it’s for an existing property or a new build, here at Gutterline we can help you.
In addition to installing gutters, we also offer a wide range of other guttering services including maintenance and cleaning – so make sure you choose Sydney’s guttering experts for your home.
