A 200-year old stone cottage on the Turvey House country estate in Bedfordshire has been enhanced with Infinity – the high-performance steel rainwater system from Alumasc Rainwater. The project involved replacing plastic guttering and downpipes fitted in the 1960s when plastic was seen as an economical substitute for cast iron.
Roofing firm AJ Scutchings & Son specialises in period and top-end properties in the Bedfordshire area and is retained to look after 70 properties on the Turvey estate. Owner and MD Ashley Scutchings is passionate about using metal rainwater products: “We don’t use plastic. It might be cheaper, but it doesn’t last half as well as aluminium, steel or cast iron – and it certainly doesn’t look as good. Also, metal is recyclable, so it’s better for the environment.”
Having worked with Alumasc for more than three years, Ashley had no hesitation in using Infinity for the latest property renovation on the estate. “Alumasc’s steel and aluminium products are exactly in keeping with period properties,” he comments, “whether they are small cottages or grand homes.”
The black steel pipework has a similar aesthetic to the cast iron that would have been used when the property was originally built, so it looks perfect. However, Infinity is also available in the new robust colour coated system, offering three layers of protection in a wide variety of colours (including plain galvanised steel or polyester pre-coated black and anthracite grey ex stock).
Modern manufacturing methods ensure Infinity is lightweight – and a dry joint system with EDPM rubber sealed connectors on gutter lengths and angles make for fast and watertight installation.
As Ashley says: “We started out buying Alumasc aluminium products, but more recently we have used them for steel too. The products look good and they’re easy to install. Their representative is very helpful, and we receive good service from them.”
