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The satin chrome telescopic rooflight hand winder opener is available to order at tuscanfoundry.com. For project or volume enquiries, call 0333 987 4452 or use the contact form on our website.

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.

For rooflights directly above a worktop or sink, a telescopic screw-jack hand winder is the most practical choice. Available in polished brass, satin chrome, and polished chrome, these openers allow controlled ventilation from a fixed handle position without requiring a pole. The 150mm or 250mm size is typically appropriate for standard-height kitchen rooflights.

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.

Yes. Cast iron hopper heads are the historically appropriate choice for listed buildings, and are generally preferred by conservation officers and local planning authorities over modern plastic alternatives. Tuscan Foundry cast iron hopper heads are manufactured in solid grey iron and are suitable for use on listed buildings and within conservation areas. A linseed oil finish is also available, which is particularly appropriate for sensitive heritage projects.

Casting of iron is an imperfect processs. It is possible with some cast iron radiators that you will get minor imperfections in the surface finish. When radiators are painted this will reduce and over the years every additional coat of paint applied will provide a smoother more equal finish.

Yes. Cast iron hopper heads are the historically correct choice for listed and period buildings, and a like-for-like cast iron replacement is generally accepted without objection by conservation officers. We manufacture to BS 460 for genuine heritage character and durability.

Hopper heads are supplied in red oxide primer ready for on-site painting, or pre-finished in black. A full range of Heritage Colours in traditional linseed oil paint is also available on request — please contact us for the swatch chart.

Yes. Traditional cast iron column radiators are the authentic choice for period interiors, and plain patterns such as the Victorian 4 column are usually preferred by conservation officers. Replacing radiators or altering pipe runs in a listed building may need listed building consent, so speak to the conservation officer before work starts.

Yes. Cast iron hopper heads are the historically correct choice for listed and period buildings, and a like-for-like cast iron replacement is generally accepted without objection by conservation officers. We manufacture to BS 460 for genuine heritage character and durability.