Replies

1. 
   Troy | Dec 18, 2009 01:49am | #1

   I don't know about Frank
   I don't know about Frank Lloyd Wrights use of wood gutters but a lot of the pre-WWII homes here in Alameda CA and in San Francisco had them. I see the results of lack of maintanace of these and the resulting damage to the homes. The other problem was that these did not have a lot of capacity because of the thickness of the wood the result was often the water leaked behind the gutters and got between the siding or worse the stucco and the sheathing and you ended up with a lot of "dry rot". Anyway I am not sure where you would find more information about these types of gutter systems but maybe in old construction guides from before the 2nd world war. FYI I don't seem to have a spell check in the new Knots format.

1. 
   winswood | Jan 05, 2010 07:42pm | #9

   Thanks Troy for your input. My gutter idea is probably not very practical anyway.

   WSullivan

2. 
   Taigert | Dec 18, 2009 03:08am | #2

   WSullivan,

   Frank Lloyd Wright hated gutters, he felt that they were ugly and detracted from the asthetics of the building. He went so far to get away from gutters that when he designed the Unity Temple in LA there were no visable gutters. He designed a integral drainage systen within the building. The water was diverted to the four large columns at the front of the building. The water ran down the inside of these columns.

   But if it was a wood gutter he had to use, it would most likely have been California Redwood. California Redwood was his favorite wood, as well as his favorite building material.

   At the time of his peak building period after WW-1, the best material for making wood gutters would have been Cypress. At that time so much of the Cypress would have been coming out of the swamps of Louisiana. The common Cypress we get today has no where near the ability to prevent rot as the Cypress that was harvested from the swamps. It's almost like your dealing with two different species today.

   Even though Cypress would have been the better wood to use Wrights passion for California Redwood would have prevented Wright from using the Cypress.

   He was a strange old dude, but I admire his work. I don't know if I answered your question or not?

   Taigert

1. 
   WillGeorge | Dec 19, 2009 10:08am | #5

   I for one thought 'right on'
   I for one thought 'right on' reply. Chicago here and a few of the old dudes houses still around.

   I am not knocking the original post but my first thought was what a waste of wonderful wood. Especially with the varity of materials available today.

3. 
   Taigert | Dec 18, 2009 03:08am | #3

   WSullivan,

   Frank Lloyd Wright hated gutters, he felt that they were ugly and detracted from the asthetics of the building. He went so far to get away from gutters that when he designed the Unity Temple in LA there were no visable gutters. He designed a integral drainage systen within the building. The water was diverted to the four large columns at the front of the building. The water ran down the inside of these columns.

   But if it was a wood gutter he had to use, it would most likely have been California Redwood. California Redwood was his favorite wood, as well as his favorite building material.

   At the time of his peak building period after WW-1, the best material for making wood gutters would have been Cypress. At that time so much of the Cypress would have been coming out of the swamps of Louisiana. The common Cypress we get today has no where near the ability to prevent rot as the Cypress that was harvested from the swamps. It's almost like your dealing with two different species today.

   Even though Cypress would have been the better wood to use Wrights passion for California Redwood would have prevented Wright from using the Cypress.

   He was a strange old dude, but I admire his work. I don't know if I answered your question or not?

   Taigert

1. 
   Taigert | Dec 18, 2009 03:15am | #4

   I guess I must have double clicked the save button, and you can't delete. I think what it was that it takes so long after you hit save, I hit it a second time thinking that I didn't hit it so I did it again. I suppose I need to learn to slow down for this new what cha ma call it.

   Sorry

   Taigert

1. 
   boilerbay | Dec 19, 2009 01:19pm | #6

   sokay, been here,done that

4. 
   BigK | Dec 20, 2009 04:08am | #7

   Frankie hated a lot of things. He had a tendency to want things done his way, regardless of whether it was right or wrong. And since I am sure that someone will take issue with what I have just stated, I will offer up the example of "Wingspread"?/ a FLW house that had an extreme rebuild several years ago to save it. In that house Frankie designed it without real rafters (top plate to ridge) as they would interfere with the two bands of continous skylights. Frank generally would put asthetics above structural integrity.

1. 
   winswood | Jan 05, 2010 07:34pm | #8

   Thanks for everyone's
   Thanks for everyone's response. I also have a strong dislike for gutters. I agree that the use of fine wood seems to be a waste. generous overhangs and proper drainage seem to be the best answer in my area. Although there are situations in which gutters seem to be unavoidable.

   WSullivan

1. 
   RalphBarker | Jan 05, 2010 08:00pm | #10

   How about soldered copper, instead of wood? Expensive, but it still holds water and looks even better with age.