The development is a mix of nine individually designed homes with
two listed barn conversions. In designing the new homes, architect
Trevor Muir aimed to achieve a range of traditional details and
features. The original specification called for a metal system,
initially favouring Aluminium, but the Architect opted instead
for cast iron gutters and down pipes for their superior authenticity
and quality. Cast iron, when closely evaluated, proved cost comparable
with Cast Aluminium, but also provides that desired aesthetic
appearance that no alternative. The gutter system chosen, Classical
Express Plus from Saint-Gobain Pipelines, has a factory-applied
semi-gloss black finished coating which not only achieved the
desired aesthetic effect, it also considerably reduced the installation
time by eliminating the need for any further paint treatment.
In addition, with large roof areas to cater for, the system has
to cope with high flow rates. As Classical Express is manufactured
from 125mm pipe and is a true ‘half round’ profile that is extremely
straight, it gives significantly higher flow rates than traditional
half rounds, and is easily able to handle high rainfalls.
For contractors Frudd, it was ease of installation that offered
the real benefit, as installer Dick Wright, a joiner by trade,
explains: “The system was fantastically easy to fit. The jointing
clips are simple and flexible, allowing a 2 to 3º deviation and
some of the smaller sections could just be fitted together at
floor level and placed onto the brackets. With the double spigot
design there was far less wastage and compared with the old method
of fitting cast iron gutters, with mastic or putty joints or nuts
and bolts it was much simpler.”
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