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Wednesday, July 29, 2015

The History of Rain Gutters

All Aluminum Gutters
531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704
(631) 816-2498

We all know how important it is to have rain gutters on our homes, but did you ever wonder where in the world they came from? The history of rain gutters is actually quite fascinating, dating way back to 3000 B.C. in the ancient civilizations of Rome, Greece and Egypt. Read on to learn all about rain gutters and how the idea to catch and divert rain emerged and  evolved over time.
The first drainage systems. Ancient civilizations recognized the need to control water drainage early on, constructing runoff systems made of stone, brick and wood . In fact, the 1st century Romans are known for their intricate drainage systems, meant to keep their streets water free. Early water redirection systems on buildings featured a spout at the edge of the roof, usually shaped as a lions mouth, that shot water to the ground. However, the majority of ancient water drainage was used to transport water from one place to another, in lieu of what we know as modern day plumbing.

Gargoyles, not just for decoration.
As a direct response to an old 7th century legend about La Gargouille, a slayed fire-breathing dragon, the Gargoyle became a common staple of Western European architecture, replacing many of the previous lion-mouth spouts. The Italians actually called these intricate gargoyle statues “gronda sporgente,” which fittingly translates to “protruding gutter.”

Gutter systems begin to improve. In the mid-1200s gutters began to evolve from animal-mouthed water spouts to wood, lead and clay-tile gutter systems, downspouts and all. In 1240, the Tower of London became the first building to be outfitted with a fully functioning gutter system, as a precautionary measure to protect it’s white walls. From then on the popularity of gutter systems skyrocketed, transitioning from lead to cast iron in the 1800s. By the 18th century gutters were a standard on many homes, and the introduction of mass-marketed metal gutters came during the Industrial Revolution.

Seamless aluminum gutters are introduced. Aluminum gutters had already gained a ton of traction by the 1960s, but the invention of seamless gutter technology took them to the next level. Today, more than 70 percent of homeowners enjoy the benefits of a seamless aluminum gutter system.

Rain gutters have certainly come a long way! Just like the ancient civilizations, the professionals at All Aluminum Gutters understand the importance of having a solid, fully-functioning rain gutter system. Our high quality customer service and commitment to providing top notch products at affordable rates is what makes us the obvious choice for all of your gutter installation and repair needs.

To learn more about our gutter installation process and the styles that we offer, click here or call 631-816-2498.

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