Cast iron guttering has been the material of choice for guttering systems since Victorian times. Elegant and strong, Hargreaves cast iron gutters, when correctly maintained, have a minimum life expectancy of 40 years. They can last for much longer, however, with some systems that were installed 100 years ago still going strong today. This often makes cast iron gutters a one-time purchase system for a property.
Our cast iron systems are forged by Hargreaves Foundry, and we are among their lead suppliers throughout the UK. Hargreaves is a traditional foundry based in the north of England that is the UK market leader in cast iron rainwater products, and all products are manufactured to BS460.
Cast iron is an exceptionally strong and durable material, and when forged into guttering, it creates a rainwater system that can last over a century and looks good throughout. Many original cast iron gutter installations from the Victorian era are still in existence in the UK, particularly around London and the north of England. When correctly maintained, it will outlast all rival products that are made from other materials.
As cast iron is synonymous with tradition in the UK, guttering made from it lends itself exceptionally well to period-style properties, from one-off houses to Victorian-style terraces. It is also the first choice of guttering material for listed buildings, so much so that many planning officers will not accept any substitute materials. As iron is a natural material, it is also totally recyclable - combine this fact with the tremendously long lifespan of this material, and cast iron can rightly be viewed as a very green material.
Key features are as follows:
If you're familiar with PVC guttering systems, you will see cast iron versions of many of the same fittings. However, there are some fittings that are unique to the cast iron system, as well as some recognisable gutter fittings that have a lot more options. Here is a list of the most noteworthy fittings:
Additional finishes/services are also available, including:
To find out more about these additional services and finishes, please contact our team.
When connecting to other existing cast iron systems, the method of jointing on the old system needs to be checked, as some original castings had external joints and some were internal. Cast Iron can also be joined to modern systems, check out our guide on how to join cast iron gutters to PVC guttering for more information.
All of our cast iron gutters and downpipes are supplied in 1830mm lengths, with pre-drilled holes that allow nut, bolt and silicone fixing.
Full Installation instructions that can be easily followed on site are available in our cast iron gutter installation guide.
Our cast iron gutter systems do require some ongoing maintenance. This maintenance is very straightforward and uncomplicated and is only needed once a year.
Alongside the most common and popular black, we also offer all of our cast iron gutter profiles in a primer coating option. There are a few other precautions that must be taken when purchasing and installing primed guttering. Please see our full guide for more information.
If you have any questions regarding our cast iron range or have architectural drawings you'd like us to review and give advice on, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us!
Our cast iron gutters have a minimum life expectancy of 40 years when installed correctly, but they can last over 100 years with proper care and maintenance. There are many Victorian-era properties throughout the UK that still have their original cast iron guttering fully intact.
We’d recommend performing cleaning and maintenance on cast iron gutters once per year. This process should involve climbing up to the gutter via a ladder and removing any leaves and debris with gloved hands or tools if required. It’s best to do this during the late Autumn, as this is when most of the leaves will have collected for the year.
Absolutely, we offer cast iron gutters in a primed colour option, which means they will arrive pre-coated in an epoxy primer. The epoxy primer provides a surface on the guttering that will allow a paint colour of your choice to easily adhere to it when applied. Please note that primed products should not be stored outside before they are painted.
Yes, whilst cast iron gutters will already arrive pre-painted if you purchase the traditional black option, they should be repainted once every 10 years or so with cast iron touch up paint to keep them looking sleek. To paint cast iron gutters, we would recommend actually taking them down off the property and using a workbench. Before painting them, use a wire brush to remove any flaky paint and a pressure washer to fully clean them. You can then paint the gutters, which should be done in two layers, and refit them once dry.
Want some advice on how to install your Cast Iron Gutters, or interested in finding out more about our product range, take a look at our guides & tips.
Why Choose Hargreaves Foundry?
