Founder Story
Accidental Beginnings
People often ask how I transitioned from designing and building custom homes to selling Duragutter. Actually, I never set out to invent or market a product—it happened entirely by accident.
Fifteen years ago, I was designing and constructing a 4,000-square-foot addition for a historic Mission Style house featuring rich original details. The home's existing wood gutters had leaked over time and were lined with copper. Wanting to preserve the original architectural profile, I looked for alternatives. Traditional wood gutters made from durable Redwood or Cypress are no longer available, and modern Fir gutters rot within a few years. Fiberglass alternatives were cost-prohibitive.
Since I frequently design modern homes and appreciate aluminum for its wood-like workability, durability, and resistance to warping or rotting, I explored designing a custom extrusion. I discovered that commissioning a custom die to manufacture extruded aluminum gutters matching the original wood profile was actually the most economical solution. The gutters were extruded and powder-coated, and the finished result looked flawless.
From Project Surplus to Growing Business
Because the extruder required a minimum order quantity, I ended up with extra inventory. Local architects and contractors saw the finished project and asked to buy the left-over pieces, which sold out quickly. Soon after, a nearby homeowner with a large Victorian wanted to replace all his gutters.
I faced a choice- While fully booked with design work, the idea of starting from scratch to create an architecturally correct, highly durable gutter system that any skilled installer could easily assemble was intriguing. I refined the initial concept to make it stronger and simpler to install. I produced the new gutters and was inadvertently in the part-time gutter business.
Later, while working on a contemporary home design that called for a sleek box gutter, I commissioned a second die utilizing the same hidden connector framework. The new profile gained traction immediately. Before long, the gutter operation demanded half my time, while my son Doug took on a larger share of managing our architectural practice.
Scaling Up and Looking Ahead
Over the past few years, demand grew to the point where Doug and I decided to commit to the gutter business full time. After completing our final home design project, we scaled operations by leasing a warehouse and hiring a manager to oversee order processing. What began as a single custom profile has expanded into a line of twelve distinct shapes designed to meet diverse functional and aesthetic requirements.
After forty years in residential design, I feel accomplished and don't miss building houses. Today, I focus on developing new product innovations—including an upcoming line of downspouts—and advising architects on integrating Duragutter into their plans. Collaborating with design professionals across North America on a broader spectrum of projects than I handled in New England is rewarding, allowing me to leverage the technical expertise I’ve built since launching my design/build career in 1976.
Comments