Cast Iron Hoppers

Choosing The Right Cast Iron Hopper

There is quite a bit more choice here than simply picking the hopper you like the look of.

The position on the building, downpipe profile, outlet size and number of incoming rainwater feeds all need considering. If you're replacing an existing hopper, matching the original proportions can also make a big difference to how natural the finished installation looks.

Our cast iron hopper heads range from relatively simple flat-back designs through to more decorative options for period façades.

Flat Back Hoppers

Flat-back designs are one of the most versatile options.

As the name suggests, the rear of the hopper sits neatly against a flat wall, making this style suitable for many standard rainwater arrangements. We currently offer No.1, No.2 and No.3 designs in a choice of outlet configurations.

The different models also give you a choice of proportions. That's particularly useful on older properties where a small hopper can look lost on a large elevation, while an oversized design may feel too dominant above a narrow downpipe.

If you're replacing an original hopper, measure the existing width, height and projection before choosing the closest replacement.

Corner Cast Iron Hoppers

Not every outlet arrives conveniently against a flat section of wall.

A corner hopper is designed for installations where the rainwater needs collecting at or around an external corner of the building. This can produce a much neater detail than trying to adapt a standard flat-back hopper to a position it wasn't designed for.

Again, pay close attention to the outlet below. The hopper design may suit the building perfectly, but the outlet still needs to connect into the correct pipe diameter.

Castellated And Decorative Designs

Sometimes the rainwater goods are meant to be seen.

Castellated cast iron rainwater heads add more traditional detailing to an elevation and work particularly well on period homes, heritage renovations and projects where the drainage system forms part of the character of the building.

Our No.4 castellated designs combine that more decorative appearance with several outlet sizes, allowing the hopper to be matched to the pipework rather than chosen on appearance alone.

For a different selection of traditional manufacturer-specific patterns, our Hargreaves rainwater heads include H0, H1, H1A corner and H460 designs.

Which Hopper Outlet Size Do I Need?

This is probably the most important measurement to get right.

Our cast iron hoppers are available with several common outlet configurations:

• 2.5" / approximately 65mm round
• 3" / approximately 75mm round
• 4" / approximately 100mm round
• 4 × 3" / approximately 100 × 75mm rectangular

The correct choice should match the downpipe below.

If you're buying a complete new system, choose the gutter outlet, hopper and downpipe together rather than treating each component separately. You can browse our wider cast iron downpipe range for matching round pipework.

Using rectangular pipe? Head to our rectangular cast iron downpipes for the corresponding 4 × 3" system and fittings.

Don't Measure The Hopper Opening

A common mistake is to focus on the large opening at the top of the hopper when trying to identify the pipe size.

What matters for compatibility with the downpipe is the outlet beneath the hopper.

For an existing installation, measure the pipe body or outlet rather than the enlarged socket. A clear photograph alongside the measurement is even better, particularly on older systems where nominal and actual dimensions can sometimes differ.

Painted Black Or Primed?

Both options have their place.

Pre-Painted Black

Pre-painted black is the easy choice if you want the classic cast iron appearance straight away.

It works particularly well against brick, stone and traditional façades and avoids the need to apply the main decorative finish across the entire product after delivery.

Any chips or exposed areas created during installation should still be treated using an appropriate compatible coating.

Primed Cast Iron Hoppers

Primed cast iron rainwater hoppers are better suited to projects where the final colour will be applied on site.

That gives you more freedom when the rainwater goods need to match existing gutters, windows, railings or other architectural details.

Remember that primer is a preparation layer rather than the finished decorative coating. Apply a suitable finishing paint in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements.

When Is A Rainwater Hopper Useful?

A hopper creates a collection point before water enters the vertical downpipe.

That can be useful where a gutter outlet discharges into a rainwater head, where more than one drainage route needs bringing together, or where the original architecture already incorporates a traditional hopper detail.

They can also make complicated rainwater arrangements much neater visually.

However, a larger hopper does not compensate for an undersized downpipe. The pipe and outlet beneath it still need enough capacity for the roof drainage arrangement.

For a completely new system, we recommend considering the cast iron guttering, outlets, hopper and downpipes together.

Matching A Hopper To An Existing Property

Replacing old heritage hopper heads can require a little detective work.

Before ordering, take:

• a photograph of the hopper from directly in front
• a photograph from the side
• the width, height and projection of the hopper
• the outside diameter or dimensions of the pipe beneath it
• a photograph showing how the hopper receives water
• details of any decorative pattern you're trying to match

These details make it much easier to distinguish between a straightforward replacement and a job where a different standard or specialist design may be more suitable.

If the existing hopper is highly decorative or unusual, don't assume the closest-looking stocked product will be an exact match.

Complete The Cast Iron Rainwater System

A hopper is only one part of the drainage run.

Depending on the building, you may also need gutters, outlets, round or rectangular pipes, bends, offsets, brackets, sockets and shoes.

Trade Warehouse supplies the components needed to build or repair the wider rainwater system, so you can match the outlet beneath the hopper with compatible pipework rather than sourcing each piece independently.

Where the project calls specifically for Hargreaves Foundry products, keep those components within the compatible Hargreaves system rather than mixing visually similar fittings simply because the nominal dimensions appear the same.

Cast Iron Or Another Hopper Material?

Cast iron makes particular sense where the weight, texture and traditional appearance of the rainwater goods are important to the building.

For some projects, though, another metal may be more suitable. Our wider rainwater hoppers range includes zinc, copper, galvanised steel, stainless steel and aluminium options as well.

That makes it easier to keep the hopper consistent with the guttering and downpipes already specified rather than introducing a different material purely for the rainwater head.

Why Buy Cast Iron Hoppers From Trade Warehouse?

Trade Warehouse offers a broad choice of traditional designs, outlet sizes and finishes rather than a single one-size-fits-all hopper.

More importantly, we can help with the rest of the system too. If you're replacing an old hopper and aren't certain what you've got, send us photographs and measurements before ordering. We can help narrow down the profile, outlet and matching pipework so you have a much better idea of what will actually fit when it arrives.