Established 1893 | BS 460:2002 Certified | UK & International Supply | Expert Technical Support | 0333 987 4452
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The Higham No.525 is the plainest head we cast, and it is specified more often than its appearance might suggest.
The form is a simple rectangular box: straight sides, flat faces, a plain top edge and cast side lugs for the wall fixings. There is no cornice, no panelling and no ornament of any kind. What it offers instead is generous capacity for a very tight projection, and a form that disappears against a wall rather than drawing the eye.
That makes it the right answer in several situations. On service and rear elevations, where ornament would be historically wrong. On industrial and agricultural buildings — mills, maltings, barns, engine houses — where the original ironwork was always utilitarian. On mixed schemes where the principal elevation takes a decorated pattern and the returns need something quieter but visually related. And on tight urban sites where a projecting cornice would foul a boundary or overhang a pavement.
Plain does not mean lesser. The casting is the same solid iron, to the same standard, with the same expected service life as the most ornate head in the range. On a building where the architecture is doing the talking, a plain hopper is very often the historically correct choice, and a decorated one is the mistake.
Cast in solid iron to BS 460:2002 and supplied in primer or black as standard, with heritage colours and traditional linseed oil finishes available on request.
Pipe connections: 65mm, 75mm and 100mm round; 75×75mm, 100×100mm and 125×125mm square; 100×75mm, 125×100mm and 150×125mm rectangular.
Suitable for listed buildings and conservation areas. Call 0333 987 4452 to discuss quantities for a full scheme.
| Finish | Primer, Black |
|---|---|
| Connection | 65mm Round, 75mm Round, 100mm Round, 75mm x 75mm Square, 100mm x 100mm Square, 125mm x 125mm Square, 100mm x 75mm Rectangular, 125mm x 100mm Rectangular, 150mm x 125mm Rectangular |
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 Calnethorpe is designed for formal classical and Georgian elevations where scale and material authenticity matter — large townhouses, country houses, manor houses, and institutional buildings. It is also widely specified for new-build heritage projects where cast iron rainwater goods are required to conservation standard.
Size selection depends on the distance between the mounting point and the rooflight frame, and the desired throw (opening distance). Our telescopic openers are available in 150mm, 250mm, and 300mm; the screw-jack stay is available in 300mm with a 250mm throw. For guidance on sizing for your specific rooflight, please call 0333 987 4452 or use the contact form.
Prices are shown on each product page. For project quantities, conservation specifications, or to discuss suitability for a listed building, call 0333 987 4452 or use the contact form.
Our cast iron hopper heads are available in a standard primed and black-painted finish, ready for on-site topcoats. Heritage colour finishes and factory-applied linseed oil paint are available on request. Linseed oil paint is a vapour-permeable, period-appropriate finish particularly well suited to listed buildings and conservation area properties.
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.
Please call 0333 987 4452 or use the contact form with the size, quantity and connection details, and we'll provide a quotation.
Yes. Cast iron rainwater goods are widely accepted by conservation officers and historic environment bodies as the appropriate material for listed buildings. Tuscan Foundry's hopper heads are manufactured in solid cast iron to BS 460 specification and are suitable for all listed building grades. A linseed oil paint finish is also available, which is particularly appropriate for conservation projects.
The standards for our cast iron gutters and pipes have remained remarkably constant for many years. The physical properties of cast iron are sustained throughout its lifetime thus maintaining its effectiveness. Coupled with is durability and proper maintenance, we would expect our traditional cast iron rainwater products to last for over 50 years under normal conditions.
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.
