Rain gutters were not invented by any single person. They are the result of the ingenuity of many different people, across time and cultures. They were adapted for many uses and evolved from their original use over time.

This is how the gutters that we know today came to exist.

The First Gutters

Ancient civilizations were using water draining systems made of stone, wood, and brick a long time ago. These old gutters were meant to transport water from one place to another and were not always attached to buildings.

The first gutters were used in the streets in ancient Rome. They were designed to drain water away from the streets and prevented them from flooding. These early gutters were created by elevating the center of the road into what they called a “crown”.

The elevation would allow the water and debris to slide downwards into the gutters on either side of the street. They would then be able to transport the water away safely without causing erosion to their roads. This also prevented large puddles from gathering in the streets.

The Gargoyle Gutters

During the conquest of Britain by the Romans, they brought their knowledge of rain drainage systems with them. This helped gutters evolve into how we use them today.

The gargoyle gutter system was used during the Middle Ages. This was a time when very massive structures such as cathedrals and palaces were being built. Due to their size, a lot of water would need to be transported away from the buildings to prevent water damage.

Architects designed water spouts that looked like gargoyles. Often, they can be seen with water pouring from their mouths during rainstorms. The architects loved this idea, as it matched the ornate style of the buildings that they were creating.

Gutter Advancement in the 1200s

In the 1200s, more materials became widely available for building. Lead, wood, and clay became commonly used in making rain gutters, which was much faster than building gargoyle statues.

The Tower of London was built around 1240 and was the first building to use a gutter made from these materials. It was also the first structure to utilize downspouts as we recognize them today.

The downspouts were created to protect the white walls on the structure. This new way of designing gutter systems became popular quickly, with them spreading to many people.

New Designs in the 1500s

In the 16th century, new designs were being tested and used in rain gutters. It became common to build homes with built-in gutter systems that matched the themes and style of the buildings.

The biggest development during this time was that iron became more accessible. Lead gutters were replaced by iron ones and it quickly became the most popular material for rain drainage systems. This was mostly due to the fact that iron was cheap and plentiful- plus, it could be molded into a variety of styles.

Nowadays, aluminum gutters are the most popular option when it comes to choosing a rain system for your home. They are cost-effective to produce and are very sturdy, as well as having the ability to resist rust.

The 1950s

After the Industrial Revolution, many advancements were made to mass-producing objects like gutters. This opened the door for them to be made from other materials as well. This would include rain gutters made from galvanized steel, copper, and aluminum- all materials that we still see in gutters today.

The 1960s

In the 60s, another huge advancement in producing gutters was made. The machine that could cut aluminum into gutters was invented. This allowed for much more to be made at a smaller cost.

The machine helped popularize aluminum gutters even further and helped bring them to the homes of many people. At this point, the machine also was used to create seamless gutters– something that many people install on their homes today.

Seamless gutters are excellent at keeping your rain drainage system leak-free. This new machine allowed for them to be available to anyone who wanted to upgrade their home.

Today

Since then, rain gutters have had little changes made to them. They play a very important role in keeping your home dry and free from water damage, so you want to be sure that they are always working properly.

Today, you are able to customize your gutters in ways that people of the past could never have dreamed of. We can match them to the color of your home, have a wide variety of styles available, and can even make them from a variety of materials.

What are Gutters Made of Today?

Today, gutters can be made from many different materials. You will want to choose the material based on the appearance of your home, where it is located, and how much water you need the system to handle. Plus, you will want to consider the cost.

Our gutters are made of aluminum, copper, vinyl, or galvanized steel. We only use the highest quality of materials, so you can be sure that your new rain gutters will last. If you want professional rain gutter installation, be sure to contact us for your free consultation.

Conclusion

Gutters are a unique invention that has an expansive background. They started in ancient Rome as a way to keep the streets from flooding and eventually became the most reliable way for you to transport excess water runoff away from your home safely. We can even customize them to your tastes today.

If you are looking for a professional team to do your rain gutter installation, be sure to get in touch with us. Doing this job on your own is difficult and can even be dangerous- we would like to be the ones to install them for you.

When compared to the cost of repairing water damage in your home’s structure, gutters are cost-effective. Be sure that your gutter system is completely up to date before the next big rainstorm to avoid damages!