Established 1893 | BS 460:2002 Certified | UK & International Supply | Expert Technical Support | 0333 987 4452
Price range: £79.00 through £99.00 +VAT
The Cast Iron Louvre Airbrick is a horizontal-fin ventilation grille cast in solid grey iron, following the pattern of louvred air bricks found throughout Victorian and Edwardian construction. The angled blade design allows free airflow while shedding rainwater away from the opening — a practical detail that made the louvre pattern a standard specification across a wide range of building types.
The grille face presents a series of evenly spaced horizontal fins, each slightly angled downward at the front face to direct water clear. The outer frame is flat and unfaced, sitting flush within standard brick coursing with no additional surround. Available in three sizes — 225mm × 75mm, 225mm × 150mm, and 225mm × 225mm — the range covers single-course, double-course, and square-format airbrick positions. Cast iron fixing lugs are provided to each side for secure bedding into masonry. The horizontal fin pattern gives the airbrick a more horizontal visual rhythm than the square-grid School Board pattern, and tends to read as lighter in appearance at a distance.
The louvre airbrick is appropriate across the full range of Victorian, Edwardian, and inter-war building types where the original ventilation grilles were of this pattern: terrace housing, semi-detached houses, estate and social housing, institutional buildings, and commercial properties. It is the correct like-for-like replacement for worn or broken cast iron louvre vents on listed buildings and conservation area properties, and suits new heritage-style construction where an authentic period vent is required rather than a plastic substitute.
Supplied in your choice of finish. UK-cast in solid grey iron. For listed building suitability, conservation specifications, or bulk project pricing, call 0333 987 4452.
| Size | F02080-200-AFC 225mm x 75mm, F02080-210-AFC 225mm x 150mm, F02080-220-AFC 225mm x 225mm |
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This opener is particularly well suited to period and heritage properties — Georgian and Victorian terraces, conservation area houses, traditional orangeries, and listed buildings where a brass finish is required to complement existing ironmongery. It is compatible with Lumen Rooflights and most timber-framed skylights.
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.
The Iron Works Patterned Hit & Miss Vents are available in two sizes: 225mm × 82mm (single-course, suitable for standard airbrick positions) and 225mm × 150mm (double-course format). Both sizes are available in all three finishes: Antique Black, Polished Lacquered, and Polished Brass.
The Pultney Tapered Hopper Head is available in three pipe connection sizes: 65mm (2.5"), 75mm (3"), and 100mm (4"). Each size connects directly to matching cast iron downpipes via spigot and socket. Compatible downpipe codes are: 65mm — RH025, XRH025; 75mm — RH03, XRH03; 100mm — RH04, XRH04.
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.
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.
The Ornamental Airbrick is suited to Victorian villas, bay-fronted terraces, Gothic Revival institutional buildings, church halls, and civic buildings where decorative ironwork is part of the architectural language. It is also appropriate for listed buildings and conservation area properties where the airbrick is on a prominent elevation and the ventilation grille is expected to carry decorative character.
The H460 is well suited to Georgian, Regency, and Victorian buildings where a plain, undecorated rectangular hopper is the appropriate choice — particularly listed properties, conservation area buildings, and institutional or commercial buildings in historic town centres. Its clean, restrained form makes it equally appropriate on modern heritage-style construction where period accuracy is required without ornamental detail.
Available in two sizes: 225mm x 82mm (single airbrick course height) and 225mm x 150mm (double course height). Both sizes fit standard brick coursing positions and install flush into the wall face.
