We’re often asked ‘What’s the difference?’ between each of the metal rainwater systems we sell. As if it was a question we could sum up in just a sentence or two.
Or ‘What’s the best?’ which depends entirely on YOUR project/property, YOUR budget and YOUR preferences.
So, here is the answer to those questions. Sorry it’s a bit longer than just a couple of sentences, but we have tried to simplify it as much as possible by putting it into a ‘matrix’ format and assigning a score from 1 to 4 for each ‘feature’ we believe you should consider when making YOUR choice.
| CAST IRON | ||
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | Cast Iron has the highest up-front cost initially of any system (currently [23/04/24] from £39.47 per 1.83m primed gutter length) | |
| Long Life | Can last 50-100yrs+ with the correct application of multiple layers of paint & then proper maintenance including regular repaintingCan last 50-100yrs+ with the correct application of multiple layers of paint & then proper maintenance including regular repainting | |
| Traditional | May be specified by your conservation officer if your property is in a conservation area or a listed property.May be specified by your conservation officer if your property is in a conservation area or a listed property. | |
| Maintenance | Will need repainting every 5-8 years (and up-keep as necessary in between) unless you choose our factory pre-painted Cast Iron which should increase the interval before repainting is required to 10 years. | |
| Installation | Weight means it requires two people to install. Traditional methods of installation with silicone and bolts (or Hydrostrips© available for half-round profiles) | |
| Sustainability | Cast Iron is 100% recyclable. Much of the Cast Iron in use now contains Iron that h been recovered and recycled. | |
| Compatibility | Layers of paint protect the Cast iron core from the corrosive effects of water, run-off from otherwise incompatible woods, and other metals (cathodic metal (e.g., copper) onto an anodic metal (i.e. zinc) (Cast iron sits in the middle of these two opposites) | |
| Colours | Available in the factory applied paint in 7 standard RAL colours. However, you could buy the primed system from us and then have a PROFESSIONAL paint the system in Farrow & Ball Colours, for example. |
SHOP CAST IRON TAKE A LOOK AT SOME CAST IRON CASE STUDY IMAGES
| CAST ALUMINIUM | ||
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | Cast Aluminium can be the same or slightly less than Cast Iron depending on the mix (or ratio) of Downpipes to Gutters (read more here) (currently [23/04/24] from £61.15per 1.83m gutter length) | |
| Long Life | Can last over 40yrs in rural/urban and 25yrs in marine or industrial environments | |
| Traditonal | May be specified allowed by your conservation officer if your property is in a conservation area or a listed property as a suitable replacement for origin Cast Iron. | |
| Maintenance | Our factory powder coated Aluminium will not require repainting. Plain milled aluminium oxidizes to create a natural barrier. Does not rust. | |
| Installation | Lighter weight, but still traditional method of installation (or patented Metseal for half-round profiles) | |
| Sustainability | Aluminium is 100% recyclable. Much of the Aluminium in use now contains aluminium that has been recovered and recycled. | |
| Compatibility | Some woods contain alcohols and oils that have solvent action, but less impact on Aluminium than Zinc (and, therefore, Galvanised Steel). Powder coating will offer some protection but plain milled should not be used with copper roofing because of likelihood of galvanic/electrolytic corrosion. | |
| Colours | Available in the BBA approved factory applied powder coating in 26 Standard RAL colours. Plus many more colours on request (longer lead times and surcharges may apply) |
SHOP CAST ALUMINIUM TAKE A LOOK AT SOME CAST ALUMINIUM CASE STUDY IMAGES
| MODERN (Pressed or Extruded) ALUMINIUM | ||
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | Modern Aluminium is manufactured in a more cost effective way than Traditional Casting and is typically made from a slightly thinner material. (currently [23/04/24] from £42.34 per 3m gutter length) | |
| Long Life | Can last over 40yrs in rural/urban and 25yrs in marine or industrial environments | |
| Traditonal | Some styles can be supplied with a heritage ‘textured finish’ powder coating. (Cast gutters retain the surface texture of the sand the metal was ‘cast’ in. The textured finish – also called leatherette finish – mimics this ‘cast’ look effect. | |
| Contemporary | With a smooth powder coating, sleek bends and often no visible welds to corners, the pressed Box and extruded half-round gutters and downpipes are the ideal combination or a contemporary look. | |
| Maintenance | Our factory powder coated Aluminium will not require repainting. Plain milled aluminium oxidizes to create a natural barrier. Does not rust. | |
| Installation | Innovations like the SnapIT Express’ snap-together-without-bolts and inject-silicone method make it swift and economical to install. | |
| Sustainability | Aluminium is 100% recyclable. Much of the Aluminium in use now contains aluminium that has been recovered and recycled. | |
| Compatibility | Some woods contain alcohols and oils that have solvent action, but less impact on Aluminium than Zinc (and, therefore, Galvanised Steel). Powder coating will offer some protection but plain milled should not be used with copper roofing because of likelihood of galvanic/electrolytic corrosion. | |
| Colours | From 7 standard colours in 10 days without surcharges to 26 standard RAL colours or 200 plus BS colours with longer lead-times and charges that vary by range and by colour. Plus many more colours on request (longer lead times and surcharges may apply) |
SHOP MODERN ALUMINIUM TAKE A LOOK AT SOME MODERN ALUMINUM CASE STUDY IMAGES
| GALVANISED STEEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | Galvanised Steel (and the new Infinity ZM with ZM310 310g/sqm metallic coated (combination of zinc, 3.5% aluminium, and 3% magnesium) steel provides a breakthrough in corrosion protection – three times better than traditionally galvanised steel (zinc alone coated metal) in outdoor tests) is the least expensive of all the metal rainwater ranges (currently [24/04/24] from £24.57per 3m gutter length) | |
| Long Life | Expected to last over 25yrs+. It comes with a manufacturer’s warranty of 15yrs. (The innovative Robust colour coating is marketing leading and offers further life expectancy) | |
| Traditonal | The plain Galvanised Steel is protected by molecular layer of zinc (this is the galvanising process) so it dulls over time to look like lead. This can look great on a stone or period style property. | |
| Contemporary | The metallic finish of the plain Galv also looks great on a contemporary style building. The colour coated Galvanised steel can be colour matched to doors and window frames | |
| Maintenance | The Galvanising process makes the steel ‘self-sealing’ after it is cut. The Robust colour coating will not fade, peal or crack. | |
| Installation | The innovative design features of this steel system make it simple and quick to install. No specialist equipment or tools are required. | |
| Sustainability | The galvanising process is probably the cleanest method of protecting Steel. Steel is 100% recyclable at end of life and is more likely to be reclaimed and recycled than plastic gutters. (read more about the honest truth about the eco credentials of steel now and in the near future) | |
| Compatibility (plain Galv | Some woods contain alcohols and oils that have solvent action on Zinc (and, therefore, Galvanised Steel). The robust colour coating will offer protection but plain Galv should not be used with copper roofing because of likelihood of galvanic corrosion. Plain Galv is also not recommended for a marine environment (up to 30-50 miles from the coast) or more polluted industrial cities. | |
| Compatibility (Colour Coated | The robust colour coating offers 4 layers of protection from woods and other metals. Ideal for coastal locations. | |
| Colours | Available from stock in 7 colours plus the plain galv, an almost unlimited choice is available if you are prepared for a longer lead-time and surcharges. |
SHOP GALVANISED STEEL TAKE A LOOK AT SOME GALVANISED STEEL CASE STUDY IMAGES
| COPPER | ||
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | Copper is a premium rainwater range, currently very popular in the US on high end buildings looking to make a statement (currently [24/04/24] from £121.21 per 3m gutter length) | |
| Long Life | Expected to last over 100yrs – resistant to corrosion in any environment – even harsh marine environments | |
| Traditonal | Copper has been more widely used in other countries where plastic has never become the leading gutter product like in the UK. In 20 years, it will transform from a burnished red-brown to a patinaed Verdigris. | |
| Contemporary | The warm metallic red-brown, it’s unique characteristic, makes it a statement purchase for any modern property | |
| Maintenance | Virtually maintenance free except to keep free of debris. Its natural properties inhibit the growth and therefore build up of moss – great for rainwater harvesting. | |
| Installation | The innovative design features of this system make it simple and quick to install. No specialist equipment or tools are required. No riveting or welding. | |
| Sustainability | 100% recyclable – only 12% of known reserves have been mined – 90% of copper scrap is reused. | |
| Compatibility | Copper is unaffected by run off from wood shingles or other metals |
SHOP COPPER TAKE A LOOK AT SOME COPPER CASE STUDY IMAGES
| ZINC | ||
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | Zinc is another premium metal rainwater range. Long established in Europe, but becoming more popular in the UK Quartz Zinc (currently [24/04/24] from £79.40 per 3m gutter length) Natural Zinc (currently [24/04/24] from £48.61 per 3m gutter length) | |
| Long Life | 100years in rural areas. Suitable for marine/coastal. | |
| Traditional | The pre-weathered appearance of the Quartz Zinc looks similar to lead making look great on a stone or period style property | |
| Contemporary | The unique appearance of Quartz zinc’s finish makes it perfect if you’re looking to make a statement | |
| Maintenance | Virtually maintenance free except to keep free of debris | |
| Installation | The innovative design features of the half round profile system make it simple and quick to install. No specialist equipment or tools are required. No riveting or welding (N.B. The Box profile system is designed for a higher skill set) | |
| Sustainability | Zinc is in plentiful supply throughout the earth’s crust and mined globally. It’s low melting pint means it requires less energy to convert into recyclable material and each 30% of world production comes from recycled material | |
| Compatibility | Some woods contain alcohols and oils that have solvent action on Zinc (Oak, Chestnut, Larch, Red or White Cedar, and Douglas Pine). And should not be used in combination with copper roofing because of likelihood of galvanic/electrolytic corrosion from run-off. The Quarts Zinc system IS recommended for a marine/coastal environment. |