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Sexy Rainwater Downspouts Add Jewel-Like Detail To Home Exterior
Collecting rainwater from your roof doesn't have to be dull, pedestrian work. That's the message you get from these unusual downspout systems. Instead hiding water inside cheap PVC gutters, these homeowners can watch the flow as it travels all the way down to the waiting rainwater barrel cistern.
The image shown is from a home in Wyoming, but it only scratches the surface of what's possible with creative water collection systems. Combine these cosmetic effects with good building science, such as:* Rainwater Diverter (which dumps the first few gallons of water to get rid of leaves, soot and other buildup.
* Natural Sand Filtration. Run the rainfall through a few inches of sand, a great natural purifier, before it gets to your storage cistern. Sand typically lasts up to 10 years before it will need replacement.
* Complete Rainwater Filtration. Companies such as RMS offer relatively affordable (about $6000 installed for a whole-house system) rainwater storage and filtration systems.
Images Courtesy of Prairiebreak here.
By Matt Power, Editor-In-Chief
Veteran journalist Matt Power has reported on innovation and sustainability in housing for nearly three decades. An award-winning writer, editor, and filmmaker, he has a long history of asking hard questions and adding depth and context as he unfolds complex issues.