Iron Works Swirl Shelf Bracket – 100 x 90mm – Pewter Effect

Our cast iron airbricks are supplied in primed finish, ready for on-site painting. This allows them to be finished to match the existing ironwork or masonry colour of the building. Standard black gloss is the most common finish for conservation and heritage projects.

Yes. Tuscan Foundry Products cast iron rainwater goods are manufactured to BS 460:2002, the British Standard specification for cast iron rainwater goods. BS 460 compliance is often required by conservation officers and heritage bodies when specifying rainwater systems for listed buildings and conservation area properties.

Yes. Bespoke copy casting is a core service at Tuscan Foundry Products. We can replicate any cast iron gutter, downpipe, hopper head, or fitting from drawings, detailed photographs, or a physical sample or surviving section. Each commission is assessed individually. Lead time is typically 12 to 14 weeks, and quantities as low as a single piece can be considered depending on pattern-making costs.

A hit and miss vent has a sliding plate on the reverse of the grille that can be moved to open or close the ventilation apertures. This allows airflow to be regulated without removing or replacing the grille. The vent can be fully open, partially open, or fully closed depending on ventilation requirements.

The H527 measures 430mm wide x 195mm deep x 540mm high, making it well suited to Victorian villas and townhouses where a decorative leader head is wanted.

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. Churches and ecclesiastical buildings are one of our most common project types. We regularly supply large sand cast gutters, rectangular and square downpipes, and bespoke hopper heads for church restorations. Many churches have non-standard profiles that require copy casting. We work directly with architects, church fabric advisors, and quinquennial inspection surveyors. Historic England and many Diocesan Advisory Committees specify cast iron as the appropriate material for listed ecclesiastical buildings.

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.

The H532 measures 560mm wide x 290mm deep x 305mm high, making it well suited to a broad, low-profile design suited to substantial roofs and box gutters on period commercial and civic buildings.

The H543 measures 504mm wide x 185mm deep x 200mm high, making it well suited to wide, shallow proportions that suit box-gutter outlets on period roofs, terraces and commercial premises.