Of course you’ve heard of verandas and porches, but have you ever heard of a rain porch? It may sound silly, but porches have been around for a long time and are quite bright. Who wouldn’t want to sit outside and listen to the peaceful sound of rain falling, but not getting wet!
According to the South Carolina Encyclopedia, rain gates originated between 1820 and 1860 in the counties of South Carolina north of the Santee River and east of the Wateree and Catawba Rivers. Today, there are not many homes in the South that have their original rain gates, but they are beginning to return – and for good reason.
Southern Living has discovered a magnificent home on Mobile Bay that still has its original rain porch, built in 1908. The east coast of Mobile Bay is particularly prone to storms and hurricanes, hence the rain porch. Ginny Stimpson, owner of the house, explained that her home has several rain porches, “an extension of the roof in the form of an awning that slopes downward to protect the house from wind and rain.
Rain gates extend beyond the floor of the gate, providing additional coverage against storms and wind. They also have slatted roofs for ventilation, allowing the roofs to expand and contract with periods of wet and dry weather. Pretty smart, huh?
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