Types Of Gutters Commonly Found In The UK Now And Which One To Install

by Andrew Tailor Smith on March 17, 2010

The guttering on a property is actually an integral part of a building and should be well looked after. Of all of the elements, water is the most detrimental to any building, whether it be a home or business and guttering helps keep the property protected. Investing in a proper set of guttering will stand you and your building in good stead. It is not always easy to know what is available and which types of gutters commonly found in the UK are the best choice for you or your property.

It is commonly believed that gutters are a product of the last few hundred years. In fact, guttering has been around for a lot longer, even as far back s the Roman period. Some evidence even points to ancient peoples having a primitive form of water drainage system that is believed to be the original gutter.

The United Kingdom was introduced to the concept of guttering by the Romans in A. D 47. The Normans spent the 11th century knocking down existing towns and cities and erecting new buildings with effective guttering. Indeed, the people of the Middle Ages often had disputes and debates that related to the guttering of their structures. Over the centuries the materials and processes involved in the manufacture of guttering improved significantly.

In its initial period lead was the most commonly used material for making gutters. From 1709 onwards, an abundance of coke and raw materials meant that cast iron proved to be more efficient. The 19th century saw the demise of lead and the preference of cast iron for guttering purposes.

Today, there are three major types of gutters commonly found in the UK. Gutters made of cast iron are still around and can be seen on many traditional structures all around the country. Due to the fact that cast iron is very sturdy it can last for a long period of time on the premise that it is kept well maintained through the years.

Of the three main types, PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) guttering is the most popular in the UK today. This type is very inexpensive, made of lightweight material and is easy to install onto a property. Its popularity is most likely down to these factors and that it can be easily (and cheaply) replaced should it become damaged or blow away.

The final choice when it comes to types of gutters commonly found in the UK is those made of pressed steel. This choice is bottom of the pile, mainly due to the fact that it is very expensive, however it can still be found extensively throughout the UK. The main benefits of having pressed steel guttering are that it is very durable and extremely lightweight.

Home maintenance is crucial. It's simple to have your gutter cleaning needs taken care of fast when you choose a London gutter cleaning professional. The gutter team can take care of this maintenance task for you quickly!

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