You probably don’t think gutters have any historical or architectural importance. It’s easy to see why when the majority of gutter systems we’re likely to encounter daily are made of sagging, greying PVC. Actually, gutters were historically of great architectural importance. Clearly it’s not the PVC gutters people are referring to when talking about historical gutters, it’s the cast iron gutters.
Believe it or not, gutters have played a huge role in our architectural history. You might not believe it but architectural history has been shaped greatly by gutters. Although records suggest the Romans were using gutters as early as the first century AD, they first became commonplace following the Norman invasion of 1066 which prompted major rebuilding of UK churches and towns. Water was thrown away from the foundations of large and important buildings by decorative stone gargoyles hanging over their edges. If the first ever gutter and drainage systems were decorative gargoyles, it’s easier to see how gutters can possibly have historical and architectural importance.
The sort of gutter we’re familiar with came into use in the Middle Ages. Originally, gutters were made from lead, and their production remained high following the dissolution of the monasteries which provided recycled lead. In the early eighteenth century, cast iron became cheap and easy to produce and so cast iron gutters were introduced.
Cast iron gutters became increasingly commonplace and decorative. Lots of gutters were marked with a family’s coat of arms or a date of building. Unlike with the PVC monstrosities we see today, aesthetics was a consideration. Certainly, until the early twentieth century, guttering was as important as brickwork in the design of a building. The design of guttering was greatly important to any building design until the early twentieth century.
By the end of World War Two, however, plastic had been developed and became a cheap alternative for gutters. Modernisation and consumerism drove demand for PVC gutters and cast iron gutters lost their popularity. We are lucky that, if it is well maintained, cast iron gutters are durable so many examples of decorative guttering still exist today.
it is our duty to preserve cast iron gutters and the history behind them. Fortunately, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, or SPAB has taken on the fight to protect cast iron gutters. It issues advice and guidelines to those people responsible for old or listed buildings. A week dedicated to the maintenance of cast iron gutters was organised recently.
This campaign has had a strong effect. Cast iron gutters are still widely available and many people are choosing them for their own properties. For their money they get a piece of a historical tradition and longevity. And they’re escaping a life of looking at saggy plastic guttering.
Lodge cast iron Manufacturing
6 Cast Iron Wall Shelf Brackets Corbel VICTORIAN Braces Black Small
Beautiful Antique Cast Iron Finial Old Decorative Embellishment Stunning Details
ANTIQUE FLOOR LAMP VINTAGE VICTORIAN WROUGHT CAST IRON OLD ART DECO NOUVEAU *
Antique 1919 CAST IRON * DUTCH BOY & GIRL ANDIRONS * UNREFNINISHED * #3694
SALESMENS SAMPLE CAST IRON 5 1/2″ TALL ANDIRONS FIREDOGS
Vintage Lighting 1930s Art Deco LaSalle set Four ceiling lights Pair sconces
C 1896 BRADLEY AND HUBBARD TEAPOT ON STAND BRASS AND CAST IRON ART NOUVEAU STAND
Old VTG Cast Iron Steel Industrial Faucet Nozzle Valve Handle Steampunk Art Lot
SET ANTIQUE CAST IRON CLIPPER SAILING SHIPS GREAT COLOR VICTORY 1400 BOOK ENDS
LATE 1800s PEERLESS IRON BAG HANGER WITH OSIRIS HARD WHEAT FLOUR SACK
SMALL 6X8 IRON CROSS CAST IRON GRATE WITH BACKING
5 Victorian Cast Metal Fence/Gate Finials
2 Vintage Style Cast Iron Fish design Coat and Hat Hooks
2 Antique 6″ Tall Cast Iron Clawfoot Legs
Antique Victorian HENDRYX Brass Bird Cage w/ Ornate Cast Iron Based Stand
Vintage Sunburst Trivet 3 Feet Cast Iron Century Club Pottstown, PA 1972
ANTIQUE COLLECTIBLE DEC FIGURE MADE OF MARBEL ,BRASS AND/OR CAST IRON
Primitive Faux Cornbread Slices Bowl Filler Mason Jar Cast Iron Skillet Tucks