Established 1893 | BS 460:2002 Certified | UK & International Supply | Expert Technical Support | 0333 987 4452
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Cast iron rainwater Head H540. Created using bespoke cast iron hopper head pattern H540.
Cast iron leader heads for period, listed and traditional buildings.
(Bespoke cast iron rainwater heads and ornamental hoppers manufactured to order)
The Barrow No.540 is the plainest square head we cast: a simple box, straight-sided, with no cornice, no panelling and no decoration of any kind.
The casting is close to a cube in proportion, with flat faces meeting at square corners and the outlet dropping directly from the underside. Its virtue is capacity for footprint — very little projection from the wall face, and no moulding to catch debris or complicate a repaint.
Plainness of this order is a deliberate specification, not a compromise. On agricultural and industrial buildings — barns, maltings, engine houses, granaries — the original rainwater goods were always utilitarian, and a decorated head would be historically wrong. On mixed schemes it serves the returns and service elevations while a modelled pattern takes the front. On tight urban sites it clears boundaries and pavements that a projecting cornice would foul.
The iron and the standard are the same as the most ornate pattern in the range, as is the expected service life.
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. 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 |
Please call 0333 987 4452 or use the contact form with the size, quantity and connection details, and we'll provide a quotation.
Please call 0333 987 4452 or use the contact form with the size, quantity and connection details, and we'll provide a quotation.
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.
Premier Extra is our ready-to-fix factory finish — an attractive black semi-gloss coating that needs no painting on site, available across all seven standard gutter profiles and round rainwater pipes. It's also available to special order in a wider range of RAL and BS colours.
Our cast iron hopper heads are available in a choice of finishes including primer, painted, and specialist heritage finishes. Please call us on 0333 987 4452 or submit an enquiry to discuss the right finish for your 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.
Please call 0333 987 4452 or use the contact form with the size, quantity and connection details, and we'll provide a quotation.
Linseed oil paint is the most appropriate finish for cast iron guttering on listed and historic buildings. It is breathable, flexible, and penetrating — qualities that suit the movement characteristics of cast iron through seasonal temperature changes. Tuscan Foundry Products offers a curated range of heritage linseed oil colours. For modern applications, a high-quality exterior oil-based paint system over a metal primer is also acceptable.
Please call 0333 987 4452 or use the contact form with the size, quantity and connection details, and we'll provide a quotation.
