Round Pipe Ornamental Earband (B)

The Gothic foliate tracery design of the Ornamental Airbrick provides a good free-flow ventilation area relative to its face size. The open area is comparable to other standard cast iron airbrick patterns. The visual density of the pattern at a distance reads as solid ironwork, which suits formal and decorative elevations without compromising subfloor ventilation effectiveness.

The Ornamental Airbrick is most appropriate on Victorian Gothic buildings — churches, chapels, vicarages, almshouses, collegiate buildings, and high-specification estate architecture — where decorative ironwork was part of the original design. It suits listed building replacements in kind and heritage new build where period accuracy in detailing is expected.

Our cast iron airbricks are supplied in primed finish, ready for on-site painting. This allows them to be finished to match the existing ironwork or masonry colour of the building. Standard black gloss is the most common finish for conservation and heritage projects.

We are able to place dates and initials and insignia onto most of our flat faced rainwater hopper heads.

Yes. The ornamental foliate pattern was widely used in Victorian construction and is appropriate for Grade II listed buildings and conservation area properties. Its decorative character is often preferable to a plain pattern on prominent or formal elevations. We recommend confirming the pattern with your conservation officer as part of any listed building consent application.

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 Brass Rooflight Opener Handle 1520mm is a pole-operated handle designed for manual rooflight opening mechanisms. It is suitable for use with Lumen Rooflights and compatible timber-framed skylights, and is particularly appropriate for period and heritage properties where a brass finish is specified.

The polished chrome telescopic rooflight hand winder is suited to contemporary, Georgian-revival, and high-specification interiors where a bright chrome finish is required to complement existing ironmongery. It is compatible with Lumen Rooflights and timber-framed skylights.

The Cast Iron Louvre Airbrick (F020802AFC) is available in 225mm × 75mm, 225mm × 150mm, and 225mm × 225mm — standard brick course heights. All sizes share a consistent depth for straightforward like-for-like replacement of original cast iron louvre airbricks.

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.