Gutters were first used in Ancient Rome to prevent flooding during rain showers, and they serve the same purpose today. Without gutters, water can leak into your roof, drench your siding, flood your landscape and even seep into your foundation, causing serious damage.
Read on as ABC Seamless Siding, providers of the best gutter guard system available, walk you through the interesting history behind gutters and downspouts.
The Romans
The gutters of Ancient Rome were inspired by sloped thatched roofs. Engineers noticed how water would flow off overhanging rafters and designed gutters to do the same. While Romans were not the first civilization to use gutters, they get the credit for spreading this technology throughout most of the Western world.
Norman Era
The Romans brought gutter designs to the Normans, who incorporated them into their architecture and designs. Gutters during this time were built with clay bricks and stone and parapets made use of gargoyles as downspouts to allow rainwater to flow away from vulnerable areas of the structure.
Modern Gutters
Stone gutters became obsolete when metalworking came into fashion. Metal gutters built with cast iron, aluminum and tin became the predecessors to modern gutters. The Industrial Revolution also produced one of the strongest and most popular materials for gutter construction: stainless steel.
Explore the benefits of different types of gutters and the best gutter guard system with the help of ABC Seamless Siding. Give us a call at (800) 824-3772 or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation and request a free estimate today. We serve homeowners in Anchorage, AK, and nearby areas.
