How to Install DEKGUARD® on a Flat-Pan Metal Roof: 2026 Fitting Guide

Installing gutter guard on a flat-pan metal roof requires a different fixing method from traditional corrugated roofing.

Profiles such as Trimdek®, Klip-Lok, Spandek, Speed Deck, Metlok and other supported flat-based metal roofs have broad flat pans separated by raised ribs. Corrugated saddles are generally not appropriate for these profiles.

Leaf Stopper DEKGUARD® solves this by using patented Gripit brackets to secure Mesh Shield to the supported flat pans of compatible metal roofing.

The gutter-side edge is secured using interlocking Trimets and screws.

This guide explains the general DEKGUARD® installation process, what you need to confirm before starting, how Gripits differ from DEKAFast saddles, and when professional installation may be the better option.

What Is a Flat-Pan Metal Roof?

A flat-pan roof profile has relatively broad flat sections separated by raised ribs.

The word flat-pan describes the shape of the roof sheet—not the overall pitch of the roof.

Compatible roof families may include selected profiles such as:

• Trimdek®
• Klip-Lok profiles
• Spandek
• Speed Deck profiles
• Metlok profiles
• Topdek
• Flatdek
• Longline
• Monoclad
• Other supported flat-based metal profiles

These profiles are not interchangeable.

Manufacturers may use different:

• Rib heights
• Rib shapes
• Pan widths
• Sheet cover widths
• Rib spacing
• Fixing methods

That is why identifying the exact manufacturer and roof profile is one of the most important steps before ordering DEKGUARD®.

If your roof is Trimdek®, read the Trimdek Gutter Guard Buying Guide before ordering.

DEKGUARD® vs DEK-762™: Don't Confuse the Two

This is one of the most common points of confusion.

DEKGUARD® and DEK-762™ are separate Leaf Stopper systems with different roof-side fastening methods.

DEKGUARD®

DEKGUARD® is designed for supported flat-based metal roof profiles.

It uses:

• 250mm Mesh Shield for standard compatible external-gutter configurations
• Trimets at the gutter edge
• Patented Gripits on the supported flat roof pans
• Colour-matched screws

DEK-762™

DEK-762™ is intended for compatible DEK-762-style geometry.

It uses:

• Mesh Shield
• Trimets
• Profile-specific DEKAFast saddles
• Screws

DEK-762™ does not use Gripits.

DEKGUARD® does not use DEKAFast saddles.

If you're uncertain which applies to your roof, read DEK-762™ vs DEKGUARD®: Which Gutter Guard Suits Your Metal Roof?.

Before Installing DEKGUARD®

Do not start cutting Mesh Shield until the roof profile and gutter configuration have been confirmed.

1. Identify the Roof Manufacturer

Where possible, determine who manufactured the roof sheet.

Examples include manufacturers such as Lysaght, Metroll and Stramit, but DEKGUARD® selection should always be based on a supported current profile rather than manufacturer name alone.

2. Identify the Exact Roof Profile

Do not order from descriptions such as:

• Metal roof
• COLORBOND® roof
• Deck roof
• Flat roof

COLORBOND® is a branded steel product, not a roof profile.

You need the actual profile wherever possible.

3. Measure the Gutter Runs

Measure each gutter run independently.

Also identify:

• External corners
• Internal corners
• Valleys
• Downpipes
• Roof transitions
• Unusual flashing details

For a detailed measuring process, read How to Measure for Gutter Guards.

4. Clean the Existing Gutter

Before covering the gutter:

• Remove leaves and larger debris
• Remove significant accumulated sediment
• Check downpipe entrances
• Inspect for corrosion
• Look for damaged gutter joins
• Identify obvious drainage problems

Gutter guard should not simply be installed over an unresolved gutter or drainage defect.

What Comes in a DEKGUARD® Kit?

Current DEKGUARD® external-gutter kits include the main components required for the selected profile configuration.

Mesh Shield

The standard DEKGUARD® external-gutter configuration uses 250mm Mesh Shield.

The selected kit length determines how much Mesh Shield is supplied.

Trimets

Trimets secure Mesh Shield along the compatible external gutter edge.

Gripits

Patented Gripit brackets secure the roof-side section of Mesh Shield to supported flat roof pans.

The required quantity depends on the roof profile.

Screws

Colour-matched screws are supplied for the applicable Trimets and Gripits.

Does DEKGUARD® Include Saddles?

No.

DEKGUARD® was specifically developed because conventional saddle clips do not suit many flat-based metal roof profiles.

The roof-side fastening component is the Gripit.

How to Install DEKGUARD® on a Flat-Pan Metal Roof

The following is the general installation sequence.

Exact cuts, Gripit quantity and positioning should follow the current instructions for the selected roof profile.

Step 1: Position the Mesh Shield

Roll out the Mesh Shield along the gutter run.

Position it so it can extend from the compatible external gutter edge back across the lower roof section.

Step 2: Secure Mesh Shield to the Gutter Edge

Secure the gutter-side edge using the supplied:

• Trimets
• Screws

The interlocking Trimets provide a supported fixing line along the gutter edge.

Step 3: Identify the Roof Ribs and Flat Pans

Before cutting, identify exactly where the ribs interrupt the Mesh Shield.

DEKGUARD® is designed around fixing to the flat pans, not placing saddles across the rib peaks.

Step 4: Cut the Mesh Shield Around the Roof Profile

Leaf Stopper's current installation method requires cuts in the Mesh Shield so that:

• Mesh can cover the supported flat pans
• Mesh flaps can cover the raised roof ribs

The resulting shape allows the Mesh Shield to follow the roof profile rather than bridging loosely over every rib.

Do not invent a universal cut pattern.

Different profiles have different rib geometry and fixing layouts.

Step 5: Secure the Mesh Using Gripits

Once the Mesh Shield has been formed to the roof profile, secure the roof-side sections using the supplied Gripit brackets.

Gripits are designed to secure Mesh Shield to compatible supported flat pans.

Do not:

• Treat Gripits as saddle clips
• Place them according to a generic "every second rib" rule
• Assume every profile requires the same number per metre
• Guess their spacing from another roof profile

Use the configuration supplied or specified for your exact roof profile.

How Do Gripits Work?

The Gripit system is what distinguishes DEKGUARD® from conventional corrugated gutter-guard installations.

Traditional corrugated systems can use saddle components positioned over compatible curved roof profiles.

That approach is unsuitable for many flat-pan roofs.

Gripit brackets instead provide fixing points on the supported flat sections of compatible profiles.

This allows Mesh Shield to be held between the roof and gutter without attempting to force a generic saddle onto an incompatible rib.

Why Different Roofs Need Different Gripit Quantities

Flat-pan profiles vary in pan width and rib spacing.

A profile with more suitable fixing locations across each metre may require a different number of Gripits from another profile.

Current DEKGUARD® products are therefore configured using different Gripit quantities per metre.

Do not assume a Gripit count from one profile applies to another.

No Universal 20mm Mesh Overlap Rule

The AutoSEO-style advice that every flat-pan roof requires a 20mm or 20–30mm Mesh Shield overlap should not be treated as a Leaf Stopper installation specification.

Any overlap or joining detail should follow the current instructions relevant to the installation.

Likewise, do not invent universal:

• Screw spacing
• Gripit spacing
• Mesh tension
• Corner mitres
• Thermal-expansion gaps

Where exact dimensions matter, use the current Leaf Stopper instructions rather than generic roofing advice.

Corners, Ends and Roof Transitions

The straightforward centre section of a gutter run is usually only part of the job.

Also consider:

• External corners
• Internal corners
• Roof valleys
• End conditions
• Changes in roof profile
• Parapets
• Flashings

These details may require additional cutting and fitting.

Do not invent a universal mitre or corner pattern.

Complex transitions are one of the situations where professional installation may be preferable.

What About Roof Valleys?

DEKGUARD® can also be used in compatible flat-based roof valley applications, but valley installation should not simply copy the external gutter-edge arrangement.

Valleys concentrate water and debris from multiple roof sections.

Before covering a valley, inspect it for:

• Existing debris
• Damage
• Corrosion
• Previous leakage
• Unusual flashing arrangements

Use the current DEKGUARD® valley instructions for the specific application.

Choosing Standard, Premium or Fine Mesh

Standard Mesh

• Aperture: 3.5mm × 3.5mm
• Thickness: 0.55mm aluminium
• Material: Non-combustible

Premium Mesh

• Aperture: 3.5mm × 3.5mm
• Thickness: 0.80mm aluminium
• Difference: Approximately 46% thicker than Standard Mesh

Premium Mesh is thicker—not finer.

Fine Mesh

• Aperture: 1.8mm × 1.8mm woven mesh
• Thickness: 0.40mm aluminium
• Useful for: Finer debris such as pine needles and fine seeds
• Bushfire: Leaf Stopper's BAL-rated Mesh Shield option where applicable

Do You Need Fine Mesh in a Bushfire-Prone Area?

Not automatically.

Standard and Premium Mesh Shield are non-combustible aluminium but are not Leaf Stopper's BAL-rated Mesh Shield options.

Fine Mesh is the BAL-rated option where appropriate.

The correct specification depends on:

• The assessed BAL
• The building element being protected
• Applicable construction requirements
• The role the mesh is performing
• Jurisdiction

Do not use a blanket rule that every property at BAL-12.5 or above must use Fine Mesh in every gutter application.

For detailed information, visit the Leaf Stopper Bushfire Protection page.

Will DEKGUARD® Stop Water Overtopping the Gutter?

No gutter guard can guarantee that water will never overtop a gutter.

DEKGUARD® allows rainwater to pass through Mesh Shield while helping reduce larger debris entering the gutter.

Overall drainage performance also depends on:

• Rainfall intensity
• Roof catchment
• Roof pitch
• Gutter dimensions
• Gutter fall
• Downpipe capacity
• Overflow provisions
• Downstream stormwater
• Surface debris on Mesh Shield

Gutter guard should not be presented as correcting an undersized or defective drainage system.

Can You Install DEKGUARD® Yourself?

DIY installation may be suitable for a competent person where:

• The roof is safely accessible
• The exact roof profile has been identified
• The correct DEKGUARD® variant has been ordered
• The gutter and roof edge are straightforward
• The installer is equipped for the work

Professional installation is generally preferable where the roof is:

• High
• Steep
• Multi-storey
• Large
• Commercial or industrial
• Difficult to access
• Complex around valleys and transitions

If you're deciding between the two options, read the DIY vs Professional Installation Guide.

Will DEKGUARD® Affect My Roof Warranty?

Do not assume gutter guard automatically preserves an existing roof warranty.

Before mechanically fastening accessories to a warranted metal roof, review the current requirements of the roof-sheet manufacturer.

Warranty conditions may relate to:

• Penetrations
• Fasteners
• Accessory materials
• Installation methods
• Maintenance

If the roof remains under warranty and the conditions are unclear, confirm them before installation.

Maintenance After DEKGUARD® Is Installed

DEKGUARD® helps reduce leaves and larger debris entering the gutter, but it is not maintenance-free.

Periodic inspection may still be required for:

• Surface leaves and branches
• Fine sediment inside the gutter
• Dust and pollen
• Downpipe entrances
• Storm damage
• Moved or damaged components

There is no universal annual or six-month maintenance schedule.

Inspection frequency should reflect the vegetation, weather and conditions around the property.

Read Do You Still Have to Clean Gutters with Gutter Guards? for a more detailed explanation.

Can EasyAc® Be Used with DEKGUARD®?

EasyAc® is an optional gutter-access product that may provide local inspection access through compatible Mesh Shield.

It can be considered near selected maintenance locations where future access is useful.

There is no universal requirement to install one above every downpipe.

EasyAc® also cannot guarantee clearing of deeper downpipe or underground stormwater blockages.

Flat-Pan Roof DEKGUARD® Installation Checklist

Before starting, confirm:

• □ The roof has a supported flat-based metal profile.
• □ The manufacturer has been identified.
• □ The exact roof profile has been confirmed.
• □ The correct DEKGUARD® variant has been ordered.
• □ The required Gripit configuration matches the profile.
• □ Gutter runs have been measured.
• □ Corners and roof transitions have been identified.
• □ Existing gutter debris has been removed.
• □ Downpipe entrances are clear.
• □ Standard, Premium or Fine Mesh has been selected.
• □ Any bushfire requirements have been checked.
• □ Safe access has been planned.

Choose the Correct System Before You Start Cutting

The most important part of installing gutter guard on a flat-pan metal roof happens before the first cut is made.

Confirm the roof profile and make sure you actually have the correct Leaf Stopper system.

For supported flat-based profiles, DEKGUARD® uses Gripits fixed to supported roof pans.

For compatible DEK-762-style geometry, DEK-762™ uses DEKAFast saddles instead.

Do not interchange the two systems based simply on the roof looking similar from the ground.

For product selection, visit DEKGUARD®.

If you have a Trimdek® roof, start with the Trimdek Gutter Guard Buying Guide.

If you're still unsure whether your roof needs DEKGUARD® or DEK-762™, read the DEK-762™ vs DEKGUARD® comparison.

When you're ready to proceed, shop Leaf Stopper gutter guard systems or find a Leaf Stopper installer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What gutter guard is used on a flat-pan metal roof?

For supported flat-based metal roof profiles, Leaf Stopper generally uses DEKGUARD®, which secures Mesh Shield to supported roof pans using Gripit brackets.

Does DEKGUARD® use roof saddles?

No. DEKGUARD® uses Gripits. Saddle systems such as DEKAFast belong to other Leaf Stopper products such as DEK-762™.

Where are Gripits installed?

Gripits are designed for supported flat sections of compatible metal roof profiles. Their quantity and fixing layout depend on the selected roof profile.

How wide is DEKGUARD® Mesh Shield?

Current standard external-gutter DEKGUARD® kits use 250mm Mesh Shield.

Does DEKGUARD® use Trimets?

Yes. On compatible conventional external gutters, Trimets secure Mesh Shield to the gutter edge.

How much should DEKGUARD® Mesh Shield overlap?

Do not apply an invented universal overlap such as 20mm. Follow the current Leaf Stopper installation detail for the relevant configuration.

Is Trimdek® a DEKGUARD® roof?

Trimdek® is generally treated as a DEKGUARD® application where the exact supported profile has been confirmed. Do not assume DEK-762™ simply because the roof has a nominal 762mm-style cover geometry.

Can DEKGUARD® be installed on Klip-Lok?

DEKGUARD® is available for selected Klip-Lok profiles. Identify the exact manufacturer and profile, such as the specific Klip-Lok variant, before ordering.

Do I need Fine Mesh on a flat-pan roof?

Not automatically. Fine Mesh is useful for finer debris and is Leaf Stopper's BAL-rated option where applicable. Standard or Premium Mesh may be more appropriate for other properties.

Can I install DEKGUARD® myself?

Yes, on a compatible, straightforward and safely accessible roof if you are competent and have the correct system. High, steep, commercial or complex roofs are generally better suited to professional installation.

Does DEKGUARD® make gutters maintenance-free?

No. It helps reduce larger debris entering the gutter, but periodic inspection remains important.