Whatever the period or style of your property, from a Victorian New England Colonial house to an Adam Style house, German Colonial to Cape Cod boarded, Tuscan Foundry in the United Kingdom has cast iron rainwater gutters and leader heads to suit all periods and styles.
Leader heads have their origin in the gargoyles of Romanesque and Gothic buildings and have been used since. The principle has always been the same, and though over time they have been redesigned to fit stylistic building trends, their function has always remained a constant.
Today, for modern buildings leader heads are made of a variety of sheet metal materials such as copper, steel, aluminum, zinc, or brass; historically they were made of lead, copper, or cast iron. Leader heads are also made in different sizes and shapes such as square, round, hexagonal, etc.
Rainwater heads (also known as a leader head) have been referred to since the early 19th century, but are found on buildings throughout Europe, much earlier. Sections of pipe, frequently decorative as well as functional, are used to collect rainwater at the top of a drainpipe or to funnel the outflow from several pipes into a single downpipe.
A gutter leader head is a catch basin, which helps funnel water from the rooftop to the underground drainage system. It is typically installed under the soffit so that it can allow air into the line. Because of this, leader heads can help stop vacuum locks and prevent gurgling or excess noise
In America, as with the rest of the world, gutter leader heads are installed near the top of downspouts, essentially working as a funnel. It helps prevent overflow by introducing airflow into the downspout. This helps prevent vacuum lock near the top of the downspouts and prevents overflow.
Additionally, some leader heads are designed to receive more than one downspout, or in some cases, more than one gutter converges onto a single leader head. Lastly, leader heads have historically provided an opportunity to incorporate a decorative element within their design. These elements, as are the other roof drainage system components, gutters, scuppers, or downspouts, have to be sized to perform well, according to the amount of precipitation that they are intended to help alleviate.
Leader heads can also receive water from scuppers, as used predominantly through flat roofs’ parapets. In those cases, the leader head provides the transition from scupper to a downspout.
Leader heads can be incorporated into rainwater harvesting systems, by helping direct the water into collection cisterns. This way, the harvested natural resource, rainwater, can be redistributed as best fits the needs. Whether the leader head fits directly into the collecting tank or is connected to a downpipe first, contaminants and debris such as leaves, twigs from trees, and bird and other animal droppings among others, must be kept out of the tanks. For this purpose leaf guards or leaf, diverters are very useful, since they are simple angled screens installed in such a manner as to deflect leaves and debris while allowing water to pass through.
(In Australia a leader head is known as a Rainhead. Essentially the same thing but with different terminology).
Tuscan Foundry based in the UK is one of the leading foundries producing period cast iron gutters and leader heads for projects throughout Europe, America, and Australasia, with a catalog of over 54 sizes and patterns of gutters and drainpipes, along with 49 different cast iron leader head patterns to choose from.
“A hopper by any other name” these are also known in America as both, a cast iron collection box or cast iron conductor head. They serve to take larger volumes of water and often from more than one pipe or gutter into a large cast iron head.
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Cast Iron rain heads
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A deep dive into the history, common issues, and maintenance of cast iron rainwater goods, with a focus on traditional Scottish architecture; cast iron rainwater goods have been a staple of Scottish architecture for centuries, prized for their durability, strength, and aesthetic appeal. These qualities are particularly important in Scotland, where the weather can be harsh and unforgiving. They are a testament to the craftsmanship and ingenuity of a bygone era, adding a touch of elegance and historical significance to buildings across the country.
Cast iron’s journey in Scottish architecture began in the 18th century. Its resilience and ability to withstand the challenging Scottish climate quickly gained popularity. The relatively low production cost of cast iron made it a popular choice for residential and commercial buildings, contributing to its widespread adoption.
The 19th century marked the pinnacle of cast iron rainwater goods in Scotland. This era saw the construction of magnificent Victorian buildings adorned with elaborate cast-iron rainwater systems, showcasing decorative hoppers, rhones (the Scottish term for gutters), and leader heads (downpipes). These features served a practical purpose, channelling rainwater away from the building and enhancing the architectural beauty of the structures.