Established 1893 | BS 460:2002 Certified | UK & International Supply | Expert Technical Support | 0333 987 4452
Call for Price
Cast iron rainwater Head H534. Created using bespoke cast iron hopper pattern H534.
Cast iron leader heads for period, listed and traditional buildings.
(Bespoke cast iron rainwater heads and ornamental hoppers manufactured to order)
The Durham No.534 is the most unusual casting in this group: a hopper drawn in the Romanesque manner, with chevron ornament and a wheel roundel rather than the Gothic or classical motifs used elsewhere in the range.
A band of bold zigzag — the chevron found on Norman arches and doorways — runs across the body beneath a crenellated upper edge, and a circular cast roundel with radiating spokes sits at the side. Below, the body draws in through a tapering skirt to the outlet. The chevron is cast deep enough to hold a strong shadow, which is what makes it legible from ground level.
Chevron is one of the most recognisable motifs in English Romanesque architecture, and it reappears throughout the Norman Revival work of the nineteenth century. On a building that uses it — a parish church with Norman fabric or a Victorian church built in that idiom, a college, a cemetery chapel — this pattern belongs to the architecture rather than sitting on it. On a classical or vernacular elevation it would be conspicuously out of place.
Cast in solid iron to BS 460:2002, 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. Deep-cut ornament of this kind takes linseed oil paint particularly well. Call 0333 987 4452 to discuss suitability for a specific building.
| 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 |
The Polished Brass finish suits buildings where brass metalwork was standard — formal Victorian terrace housing, civic and institutional buildings, and high-quality estate architecture. It is appropriate on listed buildings and conservation properties where the wider ironmongery specification is in brass and a matching material is required.
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. Both the satin and polished chrome telescopic rooflight hand winder openers are compatible with Lumen Rooflights and most timber-framed skylights. Call 0333 987 4452 if you need to confirm compatibility with a specific model.
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.
Bespoke and copy cast iron rainwater goods typically have a lead time of 12 to 14 weeks from order confirmation. This covers pattern-making, casting, finishing, and quality inspection. Stock items are typically despatched within 5 to 7 working days, and non-stock standard profiles within 7 to 10 working days. We always recommend confirming lead times at enquiry stage so your project programme is not affected.
Where a standard profile can't match an existing design, we offer a bespoke casting service in association with our pattern makers, typically with a 12–14 week lead time. Please call 0333 987 4452 or use the contact form to discuss your project.
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.
The in-house Premier Extra coating is formulated for a life expectancy of around 10 years under normal weather conditions, provided any impact damage or surface scuffing is made good promptly. Coastal locations or higher pollution levels can shorten this, so it's worth asking your local stockist or paint manufacturer for site-specific advice.
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.
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.
