Iron Works Plain Steel Shelf Bracket – 152 x 152mm – Black Beeswax

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.

Traditional Express (TX) is a cast iron push-fit soil system. Socketless pipes are joined with push-fit sockets and couplings using rubber seals, so there is no caulking on site. LCC uses caulked socket-and-spigot joints and a bitumen coating. TX is quicker to install and can be painted; LCC is the closer match to an original Victorian stack. Our Traditional Express vs LCC guide compares the two in detail.

The polished chrome telescopic rooflight hand winder opener is available in multiple sizes. The telescopic mechanism adjusts to accommodate varying rooflight positions and throw requirements. For a full list of available sizes, visit tuscanfoundry.com or call 0333 987 4452.

Prices are shown on the product pages at tuscanfoundry.com. For project or volume enquiries, please call 0333 987 4452 or use the contact form on our website.

Yes. Cast iron access pipes to BS 460 are the like-for-like choice for listed and period buildings, and fitting access points avoids damaging historic pipework when clearing blockages. We recommend confirming any changes with the conservation officer.

The H526 measures 440mm wide x 240mm deep x 460mm high, making it well suited to Victorian and Edwardian townhouses.

The School Board Airbrick is suited to Victorian and Edwardian terraced housing, mid-century school buildings, civic halls, public baths, and converted institutional buildings. Its plain square-grid face matches the utilitarian aesthetic of late-Victorian construction and is also appropriate for new heritage-style builds in conservation areas.

The Brass Rooflight Hand Winder Opener – Telescopic is available in 150mm, 250mm, and 300mm sizes. The telescopic mechanism provides flexibility to accommodate varying rooflight positions and throw requirements. Throw: 165mm.

Our cast iron hopper heads are available with 65mm, 75mm and 100mm round outlets, 75mm, 100mm and 125mm square outlets, and 100x75mm, 125x100mm and 150x125mm rectangular outlets, to match the downpipe already on site or specified for the project.

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.