Gutters & Pipes

Linseed oil paint is the most appropriate finish for cast iron guttering on listed and historic buildings. It is breathable, flexible, and penetrating — qualities that suit the movement characteristics of cast iron through seasonal temperature changes. Tuscan Foundry Products offers a curated range of heritage linseed oil colours. For modern applications, a high-quality exterior oil-based paint system over a metal primer is also acceptable.

Half round gutter has a simple semicircular profile and is the most widely used pattern across all building types and periods. Ogee (OG) gutter has an S-shaped decorative profile, historically associated with Victorian and Edwardian properties. Moulded ogee profiles, such as the G46 and Regent No.16, have a more elaborate cross-section with additional mouldings and are typically found on larger or more architecturally significant buildings. The correct choice depends on what is already present on the building and any requirements set by a conservation officer.

Georgian properties typically used Half Round or ogee-style guttering, often in larger sizes to handle the roof areas of substantial period buildings. Large sand cast gutter profiles are appropriate for grander Georgian architecture, particularly country houses, institutions, and formal terraces. If the original guttering has been lost or damaged, a site survey can establish the most appropriate profile from the building

Victorian properties most commonly used Ogee (OG) gutter profiles, including the standard Cast Iron Ogee and the G46 Moulded Ogee. Half Round guttering was also widely used, particularly in the later Victorian period. The correct profile depends on what is already present on the building — we recommend inspecting any surviving sections and matching the profile, size, and socket direction exactly. We supply 19 standard gutter profiles and can copy-cast any non-standard profile from a drawing, photograph, or physical sample.

Where a standard profile can't match an existing design, we offer a bespoke casting service in association with our pattern makers, typically with an 8–10 week lead time. Please call 0333 987 4452 or use the contact form to discuss your project.

Yes — we strongly recommend painting all products before installation to ensure full coverage on every surface, which reduces long-term maintenance. Standard Premier Rainwater products are supplied in a grey metal primer with rust inhibitors and need two undercoats and one top coat (or one undercoat and two top coats) of a good quality exterior paint.

The in-house Premier Extra coating is formulated for a life expectancy of around 10 years under normal weather conditions, provided any impact damage or surface scuffing is made good promptly. Coastal locations or higher pollution levels can shorten this, so it's worth asking your local stockist or paint manufacturer for site-specific advice.

The physical properties of cast iron are sustained throughout its working life, so with proper maintenance we'd expect our gutters and pipes to last over 100 years under normal conditions.

Premier Extra is our ready-to-fix factory finish — an attractive black semi-gloss coating that needs no painting on site, available across all seven standard gutter profiles and round rainwater pipes. It's also available to special order in a wider range of RAL and BS colours.

The standards for our cast iron gutters and pipes have remained remarkably constant for many years. The physical properties of cast iron are sustained throughout its lifetime thus maintaining its effectiveness. Coupled with is durability and proper maintenance, we would expect our traditional cast iron rainwater products to last for over 50 years under normal conditions.

We do offer a range of Ogee patterned gutters in both straight and radius profiles. The straight profiles are much more common and as such cost less.

With National Maintenance week fast approaching (18th – 25th November 2011), Tuscan Foundry Products Ltd have decided to help period property owners look after rainwater systems by offering big discounts on selected cast iron gutters, pipes and fittings.

Friday 25th November is designated as National Gutters Day and on this particular day, homeowners are encouraged to check their systems for evidence of damage. Repairing sections of damaged cast iron gutter and pipe can help avoid potentially thousands of pounds of damage to brickwork.

Tuscan is offering these savings across a range of profiles and includes both primer and painted stock. The offers will only be available whilst stocks last so visit our website to view our discounted cast iron rainwater goods today.

For more information concerning National Maintenance Week visit the Society for the Protect of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) at www.maintainyourbuilding.org.uk

The drainage and guttering market has matured considerably over the past 20 years and there are now many more product choices for consumers to consider.

Despite the influx of new materials it appears that the benchmark for rainwater systems is still cast iron. Cast iron rainwater goods were introduced in the late 18th Century as an alternative to lead. As well as being easier to produce, the material enabled eaves gutters to be installed more simply, since lead could only be used in this location as a lining for timber gutters.

Many modern materials focus on replicating the appearance of cast iron but those materials can vary rarely offer any of the benefits. Cast iron gutters and pipes offer great strength and durability, a proven history of long life, low noise operation and fire resistance. Most old buildings have cast iron rainwater systems that should be maintained and preserved however; these inherent benefits make cast iron an ideal choice for both traditional and modern installations.

It is not uncommon to see modern alternative products marketed with terms like low maintenance or easy to install and cost effective. It has even been said that ‘plastic guttering systems provide a way of achieving a traditional look with modern convenience’. These terms tend to refer to possible cost savings rather than any real product benefits. It is also difficult to quantify the benefits of modern convenience over traditional build quality.

It is worth remembering that all rainwater goods will require some element of maintaining to ensure they are unblocked by debris and remain functional. No rainwater system cleans itself. Today most suppliers of cast iron rainwater systems offer products in both primer or pre-painted with a 10 year protective coating. When describing modern materials, the term ‘cost effective’ is used rather than simply saying cheap. There is no doubt that the initial cost of many modern materials is less than cast iron but you might be surprised to know that over its lifespan, cast iron will cost around a third of plastic.

It is easy to forget about your rainwater system but it does need to be maintained and inspected at least twice a year regardless of the product material. It does not matter whether the property is hundreds of years old or brand new, the message is the same; ‘maintaining your rainwater system contributes to the external appearance of the building as well as keeping it free from damp and structural damage.

Most old buildings have cast iron rainwater systems that should be maintained and preserved however; these inherent benefits make cast iron an ideal choice for both traditional and modern installations. It is not uncommon to see modern alternative products marketed with terms like low maintenance or easy to install and cost effective. It has even been said that ‘plastic guttering systems provide a way of achieving a traditional look with modern convenience

As well as being easier to produce, the material enabled eaves gutters to be installed more simply, since lead could only be used in this location as a lining for timber gutters. Many modern materials focus on replicating the appearance of cast iron but those materials can vary rarely offer any of the benefits. Cast iron gutters and pipes offer great strength and durability, a proven history of long life, low noise operation and fire resistance.

Most old buildings have cast iron rainwater systems that should be maintained and preserved however; these inherent benefits make cast iron an ideal choice for both traditional and modern installations. It is not uncommon to see modern alternative products marketed with terms like low maintenance or easy to install and cost effective. It has even been said that ‘plastic guttering systems provide a way of achieving a traditional look with modern convenience’.

These terms tend to refer to possible cost savings rather than any real product benefits. It is also difficult to quantify the benefits of modern convenience over traditional build quality. It is worth remembering that all rainwater goods will require some element of maintaining to ensure they are unblocked by debris and remain functional. No rainwater system cleans itself.

Today most suppliers of cast iron rainwater systems offer products in both primer or pre-painted with a 10 year protective coating. When describing modern materials, the term ‘cost effective’ is used rather than simply saying cheap. There is no doubt that the initial cost of many modern materials is less than cast iron but you might be surprised to know that over its lifespan, cast iron will cost around a third of plastic.

We are able to place dates and initials and insignia onto most of our flat faced rainwater hopper heads.