Round Pipe Ornamental Earband (B)

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.

The physical properties of cast iron are sustained throughout its working life, so with proper maintenance we'd expect our gutters and pipes to last over 100 years under normal conditions.

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.

LCC is traditional cast iron socket-and-spigot soil pipe made to BS 416-1:1990. Each length has a socket at one end and a spigot at the other, and joints are packed with caulking cord and finished with a jointing sealant. It is supplied with a black bitumen coating and is the like-for-like choice for external soil stacks on Victorian and Edwardian buildings. See the Traditional LCC range.

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.

Please call 0333 987 4452 or use the contact form with the size, quantity and connection details, and we'll provide a quotation.

The Pultney Tapered Hopper Head is well suited to Georgian and Regency townhouses, Victorian terraces, rural farmhouses, barns, and functional estate buildings where a plain, period-correct hopper is the appropriate specification. It also works well on new heritage-style construction. Its unfussy, chamfered form makes it a versatile choice across a wide range of traditional building types.

Yes — we strongly recommend painting all products before installation to ensure full coverage on every surface, which reduces long-term maintenance. Standard Premier Rainwater products are supplied in a grey metal primer with rust inhibitors and need two undercoats and one top coat (or one undercoat and two top coats) of a good quality exterior paint.

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. 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.