Cast Iron Hopper Heads

Embellishments shown for illustrative purpose only.  Embellishment prices from £80, please talk to our team for details

Tuscan Foundry Products Ltd offer genuine cast iron rainwater hopper heads which are available in grey primer or black painted finish. The Tuscan range includes over 50 designs of ornamental hopper head in a variety of styles, sizes and outlet options.

If you are trying to match an existing hopper head then Tuscan can replicate the original to produce a completely new hopper. This skilled process is achieved by hand carving the decorative pattern onto wood supported by a rigid framework and then pouring resin into the carving. Once the resin is hard it is taken off to produce an exact cast into which the molten iron is then poured to produce an exact replica hopper head.

It is not only older buildings that have exclusive rights to this architectural external detail. There is a variety of decorative reproduction cast iron hopper heads available that can add aesthetic value to new self builds or renovations. Bespoke hopper heads that display the property owner initials, or the date of the building put an individual stamp on a building as well as continuing the tradition of using hopper heads as a historical marker. Hopper heads can also add character and a unique silhouette to a building, especially when accompanied by other ornate castings like gargoyles or decorative ear bands.

Cast iron hopper heads offer industry leading standards in both strength and durability. Not only are they able to withstand the weight of ladders, aiding cleaning and maintenance but they are highly resistant to distortion caused by accident or vandalism. In addition, cast iron hoppers will not bend and sag when subjected to snow loads and storms.

Cast iron is an excellent choice for rainwater goods as when correctly installed and maintained it should be expected to last in excess of 100 years. It is this exceptional lifespan that also means that cast iron rainwater goods have a whole life cost which is much lower than plastic or aluminium alternatives. Whilst plastic or cast iron effect gutters and pipes might be cheaper at the point of purchase, replica systems cannot retain the strength, character and integrity of a cast iron system. In fact using inappropriate materials on period or Listed buildings can actually cost money in the long term as you will remove the genuine appearance of an original system.

Cast iron is also 100% recyclable so at the end of its life you need not worry of the environmental impact is the way that you would with modern materials.

The key benefit of a cast iron rainwater system is the low noise levels due to the sound deadening of the material. Cast iron hoppers are not subject to expansion and contraction in the way that many modern materials are. This means no noisy clicking, creaking or deformation of the hopper.

Our cast iron rainwater gutters and pipes are manufactured in accordance with BS460 and are primed in a grey metal primer with rust inhibitors.

Our pre-painted items has a factory applied two-pack polyurethane coated finish which has a life expectancy of at least 10 years, subject to annual inspection and maintenance. For locations closer than 5km to the coast or a salt water estuary, please contact our office to discuss options.

Tuscan offers over 50 different hopper designs in a variety of sizes. We can also produce bespoke hopper heads and sizes to match your exact requirements.

Tuscan gutter jointing kits are for use on our half round profiles and consist of 10 EPDM rubber gaskets, bolts, nuts and washers.

Tuscan rainwater diverter kits allow rainwater harvesting through facilitating connection to a water butt. Offered in 3 sizes as standard the Tuscan rainwater diverter is supplied with installation instructions.

Standard cast iron gutter lengths are 6′ (1829mm) and radius gutters are just over 39″ (1000mm).

The gutters and fittings are supplied with a socket on one side and a plain end on the other. If sockets are removed on site, offcuts can be re-used by purchasing our union clip piece.

Due to the many beneficial properties of cast iron rainwater goods, minimal maintenance is required for Tuscan castings. We recommend an annual inspection of rainwater, soil or drainage systems for clearance of debris and blockages. Painted surfaces should be cleared of any contamination and any deterioration of paint should be touched up.