Round Pipe Ornamental Earband (C)

Yes. Polished brass ironmongery is historically appropriate for period buildings and is generally acceptable to conservation officers for listed building projects. If you require confirmation for your specific scheme, we are happy to advise — call 0333 987 4452.

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.

Prices are shown on each product page. For project quantities, bespoke specifications, or conservation-related queries, please call us on 0333 987 4452 or use the contact form on our website.

The Polished Brass finish suits buildings where brass metalwork was standard — formal Victorian terrace housing, civic and institutional buildings, and high-quality estate architecture. It is appropriate on listed buildings and conservation properties where the wider ironmongery specification is in brass and a matching material is required.

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.

Our cast iron airbricks are available in a choice of finishes including primer and painted options. If you require a specific finish for a conservation project or to match existing ironwork, please call us on 0333 987 4452 to discuss.

Prices for rooflight openers are shown on the product pages at tuscanfoundry.com. For volume orders, project pricing, or compatibility queries, please call 0333 987 4452 or use the contact form on our website.

Yes. All our mild steel brackets are supplied in either silver or black zinc plate. This coating protects the metal however, both will need painting prior to installation.

We have chosen to use zinc plating for two reasons; firstly that it is a more environmentally friendly than galvanising and secondly that it does not block up the threaded part of the rise and fall cups in the way that galvanising does.

The Ornamental Airbrick is suited to Victorian villas, bay-fronted terraces, Gothic Revival institutional buildings, church halls, and civic buildings where decorative ironwork is part of the architectural language. It is also appropriate for listed buildings and conservation area properties where the airbrick is on a prominent elevation and the ventilation grille is expected to carry decorative character.

The Regent H1 is well suited to Victorian and Edwardian terraces, listed commercial buildings, civic and institutional properties, and ecclesiastical buildings where a traditional funnel-form hopper is architecturally appropriate. Its multi-faceted tapering body reads as period-accurate on Gothic and classical building types alike, and it is a commonly specified choice for conservation and listed building projects across the UK.