E- Type Preston System Opener – Bright Zinc Plated

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.

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.

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.

Yes. Cast iron hopper heads are the historically appropriate choice for listed buildings, and are generally preferred by conservation officers and local planning authorities over modern plastic alternatives. Tuscan Foundry cast iron hopper heads are manufactured in solid grey iron and are suitable for use on listed buildings and within conservation areas. A linseed oil finish is also available, which is particularly appropriate for sensitive heritage projects.

The Ornamental Airbrick (OAB) is available in three sizes: 225mm × 75mm (2.8kg), 225mm × 150mm (4.1kg), and 225mm × 225mm (5.8kg). All sizes have a uniform depth of 75mm, making them consistent to install across a subfloor ventilation course.

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.

Prices vary depending on size and finish. To get a quotation, please call 0333 987 4452 or use the contact form on the Tuscan Foundry website. The team can advise on the right specification for your project and provide a written quote.

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.

The Cast Iron Louvre Airbrick suits Victorian and Edwardian terraced housing, semi-detached properties, public houses, agricultural buildings, and workshop structures where the original airbrick was a louvre-face grille. The horizontal fin profile is widely found in British domestic and light industrial construction from the 1870s through to the 1950s.

Yes. Cast iron is the material required by most conservation officers and listed building consents for the replacement or replication of traditional rainwater goods. Our hopper heads are produced in solid cast iron and we can assist with specification notes or material statements for planning purposes if required.