Established 1893 | BS 460:2002 Certified | UK & International Supply | Expert Technical Support | 0333 987 4452
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Cast iron rainwater hopper head H541. Created using bespoke cast iron hopper head pattern H541.
Cast iron leader heads for period, listed and traditional buildings.
(Bespoke cast iron rainwater heads and ornamental hoppers manufactured to order)
The Tintern No.541 is the most explicitly ecclesiastical casting in the range. It carries both a crenellated rim and, on the front face, a cast pointed arch.
The arch is the defining feature — a Gothic opening with moulded reveals set into the face of the hopper, reading as a miniature window or blind arcade. Above it the battlemented top line completes the reference; below, the canted body tapers through a stepped skirt to the outlet, with cast side lugs for the fixings. Together the two motifs make the casting unmistakably of the Gothic Revival rather than generically period.
That specificity is a strength and a constraint. On a parish church, a chapel, a church hall, a lychgate, a vicarage or a Victorian school built in the ecclesiastical manner, the Tintern belongs to the building’s own vocabulary — the same pointed arch appears in its windows, its doorways and its porch. On a classical or vernacular building it would be conspicuously wrong, and a plainer pattern is the correct specification.
For church work the practical considerations matter as much as the aesthetic. Roof areas are large, gutters run long distances before discharging, and access for clearing is often difficult and expensive. Specifying adequate hopper capacity and an outlet sized to the actual roof area, rather than to what was there before, is usually money well spent.
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. For church and cathedral projects, including flow rate calculations and access surveys, call 0333 987 4452.
| 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 |
Select your required size and finish options from the product page and add to cart for an instant price. For project quantities, bespoke requirements, or any specification queries, please call 0333 987 4452 or use the contact form at tuscanfoundry.com.
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.
Yes. The Louvre Airbrick is dimensioned to standard brick course openings and is suitable for direct replacement of worn, broken, or missing original cast iron louvre grilles. If you are unsure of the size required, measure the opening in the brickwork rather than the existing damaged grille.
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.
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.
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 use on all listed building classes. A linseed oil paint finish is also available, which is particularly appropriate for conservation projects.
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 airbricks are frequently specified for listed buildings and conservation area properties precisely because they replicate the material and pattern of the original Victorian and Edwardian ventilation grilles. Local conservation officers and building control typically accept like-for-like cast iron replacements without objection. We can provide product specifications and material datasheets to support applications.
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.
Our hopper heads are available with a wide range of pipe connections to suit round, square, and rectangular downpipes. The Calnethorpe No.11 accepts round 65mm, 75mm, and 100mm; square 75×75mm, 100×100mm, and 125×125mm; and rectangular 100×75mm, 125×100mm, and 150×100mm. Connection options vary by model — please contact us to confirm availability for your chosen hopper.
